Genesis 27:5-10 gives the account of how Rebekah sought to have her younger son Jacob, blessed by her husband Isaac. When Isaac sought to bless Esau, his firstborn, instead of allowing God’s plan to work in the life of his family, for God had said that the younger, Jacob, would rule over the elder (Genesis 25:23), Rebekah eavesdrops on that conversation. When Esau goes out to hunt for venison as his father desired, Rebekah goes her younger son, Jacob and hatches out a plan to deceive Isaac into giving his blessings to Jacob. She in fact commands her son Jacob to obey her (verse 8) into deceiving his father, Isaac.
While on the surface it may seem like Rebekah was in fact working in accordance with God’s plan of how the elder would serve the younger, we must be careful to note from this account, certain minefields that we ought to avoid.
First, Rebekah has to resort to eavesdropping into Isaac and Esau’s conversation (verse 6). When families (especially parents), don’t communicate with one another and show not out of good conversation, with meekness of wisdom, their works, they resort to earthly, sensual and devilish wisdom (James 3:13, 15).
Second, while on the onset it may seem like Rebekah was trying to help God in his plan, the end does not justify the means, for it brings discord between her sons, and not peace (James 3:18). Instead of directing God’s plan, she should have been dependent on God for him to bring to pass his word. She obviously should have known of the consequences of hurrying God’s matters up as her father-in-law, Abraham, tried to take charge of God’s plan and that results in the birth of Ishmael and not the promised child, Isaac, her husband, leading again to discord between the children of Abraham.
Points to ponder:
Let us be careful to learn from this account that we must first communicate with meekness of wisdom, God’s plan in our lives, especially with our loved ones (family) and not resort to worldly wisdom that is sensual and devilish. We must also be extra careful to not take charge of doing God’s work, our way, but instead depend on God to fulfill his word, according to his word. In other words, we must stop trying to direct God of his work, whether it is at church or it is at home.
Are you directing God or are you dependent on him?
Genesis 27:5-10 (KJV)
5 And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.
6 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.
James 3:13-16 (KJV)
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
