Human Weakness Cannot Thwart God’s Plan

Gen 27:30 After Isaac finished blessing him, and Jacob had scarcely left his father’s presence, his brother Esau came in from hunting. 

31 He too prepared some tasty food and brought it to his father. Then he said to him, “My father, please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.”

32 His father Isaac asked him, “Who are you?”

“I am your son,” he answered, “your firstborn, Esau.”

33 Isaac trembled violently and said, “Who was it, then, that hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came and I blessed him—and indeed he will be blessed!”

34 When Esau heard his father’s words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me—me too, my father!”

35 But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.”

36 Esau said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? This is the second time he has taken advantage of me: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my blessing!” Then he asked, “Haven’t you reserved any blessing for me?”

37 Isaac answered Esau, “I have made him lord over you and have made all his relatives his servants, and I have sustained him with grain and new wine. So what can I possibly do for you, my son?”

38 Esau said to his father, “Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father!” Then Esau wept aloud.

39 His father Isaac answered him,

“Your dwelling will be
    away from the earth’s richness,
    away from the dew of heaven above.
40 You will live by the sword
    and you will serve your brother.
But when you grow restless,
    you will throw his yoke
    from off your neck.”

 4 key characters, none commendable.

1) Isaac

• Flesh > God’s word

Reflection for us:

• Are our eyes looking at those who are impressive and who can please us?
• Are we able to discern who we should bless?

2) Rebekah

• Means > End

Word for us:

• “The end justifies the means” is not biblical.
• Human duty: Do right thing, let God work.
• God does not need our meddling or help.
• Problem is not that Christians are not zealous, but they try to be God.

3) Jacob

• Human methods > God’s way

Word for us:

• We claim “we believe”, but is the way we live built upon gospel truths?
• Need healing from tendency to be “human-driven” instead of “God-driven”.
• Unbelief makes us do foolish things.
• Lacking faith prevents us from doing what is right.

4) Esau

• Material > Spiritual

Word for us:

• Having heard gospel, realize how blessed we are?
• Don’t only pursue earthly blessings, but miss the God who provides them all.
• Beware of the devil’s lie: “I will give you the splendor of the world, if you will bow down and worship me.” <Mt 4:8-9>

God triumphs over evil and still establishes His plan.

1) Despite Isaac’s weakness, God still used him to bless Jacob.

• Despite being weak, our intercessions can be effective.

2) God fulfills promises, but also disciplines disobedience.

Gen 27:41 Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”

42 When Rebekah was told what her older son Esau had said, she sent for her younger son Jacob and said to him, “Your brother Esau is planning to avenge himself by killing you. 43 Now then, my son, do what I say: Flee at once to my brother Laban in Harran. 44 Stay with him for a while until your brother’s fury subsides. 45 When your brother is no longer angry with you and forgets what you did to him, I’ll send word for you to come back from there. Why should I lose both of you in one day?”

• Both Jacob and Rebekah suffered for their deceitful scheme.

Conclusion:

(1) God exercises sovereign grace in spite of human weakness.

(2) God triumphs over evil and still establishes His plan.