Daily Word

Deceiver in action | Genesis 27:18-25

18 So he went in to his father and said, “My father.” And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?” 19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.” 20 But Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?” He answered, “Because the Lord your God granted me success.” 21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, to know whether you are really my son Esau or not.”

22 So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, who felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands. So he blessed him. 24 He said, “Are you really my son Esau?” He answered, “I am.” 25 Then he said, “Bring it near to me, that I may eat of my son’s game and bless you.” So he brought it near to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank.

Genesis 27:18-25 (ESV)

Review

If you’re following this story, Isaac wants to bless Esau with the first-born blessing (even though God has already said He chose Jacob). Esau is out hunting to prepare a nice meal for Isaac to satisfy his fleshly desires and get the blessing. Rebekah has made plans for Jacob, her favored son, to steal the blessing. Here we see the deception unfold.

Lies, lies and more lies

How many lies can you count in this short passage?

  1. Who are you my son? I am Esau, your firstborn.
  2. How could you be so quick? The Lord granted me success.
  3. Are you really my son Esau? I am.

Jacob’s name means “supplanter, deceiver”. Why would you name your child that?! There sure seems to be truth to the saying, “a child will live up to their name” with Jacob.

“Jacob probably used the promise and calling of God as an excuse for sin; he justified it to himself by saying his sinful conduct acted towards the fulfillment of the promise of God.” (enduringword.com)

Deceived

And Isaac, somehow, was truly deceived. He recognized the voice was Jacob, not Esau, but he was fooled by the animal skins affixed to Jacob’s hands and neck somehow and the clothing of Esau. Granted he was “legally blind” but it seems difficult to understand how he was fooled. Maybe it was the wine that messed with his perceptions.

RЯeflection

  • Do we ever tell a “righteous lie”? You believe something is “of God” (or you so want it to be) and you justify a lie to make sure it happens? It could be even when sharing the gospel. You really want someone to believe so you modify the message to make sure someone believes. We try to do the work of the Spirit of God. Not a good idea. If one such situation comes to mind right now, take action to repent and reconcile.
Deceive. Image from sydneycriminallawyers.com.au *

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