It is difficult for parents not to have favorites among their children; and with Isaac and Rebecca this was a challenge as well. Esau, the first born, was a man of the field and the pride of Isaac’s eye; while Jacob was favored by Rebecca for his gentleness and domestic skills. The brothers were at opposite ends of the spectrum. When Isaac became old and his sight started to fail him; it was time to pass on the blessing that he received from Abraham, his father. This was a blessing that carried the weight of Almighty God’s promises. And so, Isaac sends Esau out into the field to bring back some venison and to roast it for him; then Isaac would bless him. Before Esau could hunt a deer and prepare it, Rebecca had Jacob kill a lamb and dress it out. She then prepared it the way Isaac liked it and gave Jacob some of Esau’s clothes that smelled like the field. Putting the hairy skins of the slaughtered animal on Jacob’s hands and arms; she sent him in to pose as Esau to Isaac.
Genesis 27:6-17 And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying, (7) Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death. (8) Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee. (9) Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth: (10) And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death. (11) And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man: (12) My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing. (13) And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them. (14) And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved. (15) And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son: (16) And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck: (17) And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.
The deception worked, even though Isaac questions Jacob, because he sounded like Jacob. The animal skins on his arms and hands, along with the clothes that smelled like Esau, convinced Isaac that Jacob was Esau.
Genesis 27:22-27 And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. (23) And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him. (24) And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am. (25) And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank. (26) And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son. (27) And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:
Isaac eats the meal and then pronounces the blessing of Almighty God upon his second born son; believing he was blessing his first born Esau.
Genesis 27:28-29 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: (29) Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.
Later, Esau comes with venison for Isaac; looking for his blessing; but it was too late. Isaac pronounces upon Esau, that he has made Jacob lord over Esau; and that he would have to live by the sword; but in time, he would break the yoke of bondage.
Genesis 27:37-40 And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son? (38) And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept. (39) And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above; (40) And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.
Esau in his rage vows to kill Jacob as soon as their father dies. Rebecca tells Jacob to flee for his life until his brother would calm down. She sends him to her brother Laban.
Genesis 27:41-45 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob. (42) And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee. (43) Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran; (44) And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away; (45) Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?
God said that he hated or rejected Esau as an enemy (Malachi 1:3-5). Here again, we need to realize that the birthright that was Esau’s right was no insignificant thing. Remember Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowel of soup. That birthright entitled the first born to the special blessing that would be given later by Isaac. This carried the promises of God that he gave to Abraham and was passed on down to Isaac. The LORD made Isaac a very wealthy man in flocks, herds servants as well as silver and gold. The blessing to Eau would have grown even greater. When he sold his birthright; it was like trading all of the wealth in the world for a 90 cent bowl of soup. How could God build upon a man whose was so thoughtless? Esau proved to be a reckless and unthankful person. He despised the blessing of the LORD by selling it so cheaply and for showing contempt.
Malachi 1:3-5 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. (4) Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever. (5) And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified from the border of Israel.
God does not like unthankful people. Of the End Time people, God says:
2 Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
The act of despising God’s promises and blessing is certainly described in the attitude and types of character described in 2 Timothy above. We must be the opposite type people in our attitude and be; lovers of God and goodness; giving and sharing; humbly living in truth; honoring parents; thankful and seeking holiness; loving towards all people and seeking peace with all; defenders of truth and upholding goodness.
Father in Heaven, fill me with your spirit and help me to be grateful for all that you give me. Let me find peace in your righteousness; living in humility and grace; defending truth in love to you and your WORD. Bless me LORD in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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