Genesis 27 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“Now Rebekah was listening to what Isaac said to his son Esau. So while Esau went to the field to hunt some game to bring in, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, ‘Listen! I heard you father talking to Esau…’” Genesis 27:5-6

“Jacob answered Rebekah his mother, ‘Look, my brother Esau is a hairy man, but I am a man with smooth skin. Suppose my father touches me. Then I will seem to be deceiving him, and I will bring a curse rather than a blessing on myself. His mother said to him, ‘Your curse be on me, my son. Just obey me and go get them for me.’” Genesis 27:11-13

It is important to keep in mind what G_d told Rebekah in Gen 25:23. When she inquired of her unborn children, she was told, “Two nations are in your womb; two people will come from you and be separated. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” The Bible doesn’t say that only Rebekah knew G_d’s message to her, althought this most likely explains why she kept Jacob so close.

G_d’s prophecy appeared to be in jeopardy by Isaac’s plan to bless Esau. Knowing how attached Isaac was to Esau, Rebekah must have felt how useless it was to dissuade Isaac. In desperation, she decided to circumvent him. Notice the Bible does not condone or condemn her actions. It just reports the facts. We are left to develop opinions as to the morality of these events.

At least, let today’s passage act as a warning to us all: G_d does a fine job backing up His own promises. He definitely does not need us to sin, in order to make His Word come true. G_d could have easily spoken to Isaac as He spoke to Abraham, back when he was going to sacrifice Isaac. Who is to say that G_d did not communicate these things to Isaac, yet he was either too rebellious, irrational or forgetful to heed G_d’s Word?

Of course, because of Rebekah’s impulsiveness, Isaac was robbed of G_d’s intervention, and Esau was robbed of his blessing. Because Jacob was partner to the deceit, we will soon read of his misfortune with an uncle named, “Laban”.

Finally, Rebekah robbed herself. She was right to say, “Your curse be on me.” Not only did she never see her beloved Jacob again, but she was left behind, serving the two men she had deceived.

Resist the temptation to fulfill G_d’s promises by our own wit, strength and timing. Wait on the Lord and let Him unfold His plan as promised.

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Thursday, February 6, 2014