The Stolen Blessing

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Sunday - 9:15 AM Sunday School, 10:30 AM Worship Service

by: Denise Robinson

07/09/2021

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We continue our look at the life of Jacob through the book "Escaping with Jacob" by David Ramos. As we read last week, Jacob's brokenness is openly displayed for us to see. His life was on a downward spiral, due to his own greed and desires, encouraged by his mother. Today we continue our look into how Jacob's selfish choices impacted his family.   
__________________________
Week 4: Read Genesis 27:18-46 (The Stolen Blessing)


"Even though Jacob may have been apprehensive to follow his mother's plan initially, he does so anyways. Jacob enters the room of his dying father and begins the charade. At least three times Isaac asks him directly, "Who are you .. are you really my son?" Jacob's replies grow shorter and shorter as he realizes his voice might be the downfall of the whole plan.

But it works. Isaac eats and after one last embrace to make sure it truly is his son Esau, he pronounces an elaborate blessing over him. However, the scene quickly turns dark as Esau enters the room. He enters with high hopes that he has fulfilled his father's last request but has no idea that Jacob had already beaten him to it 

Isaac and Esau are heartbroken and furious. Isaac's body trembled while Esau let out a violent scream. This was not a small betrayal for some inheritance. It was essentially switching the destinies of the two sons - one would go on to power and success, the other would not. Esau promises to get his revenge. Rebekah, the mother who acted to help her youngest son, now must plan his escape. 

The meaning of this story only makes sense if you take time to realize how important deathbed blessings truly were in the Old Testament. We often think of a blessing like wishing someone good luck or a bright future. When in fact, many considered blessings a kind of prophecy. When God blessed Abraham, he was not just wishing him well, but instead, telling him the kind of life he would lead. The same is true here. Isaac laid out an incredible future for Jacob and barely had any scraps left to give to Esau (which shows how much he favored Esau and was intending to give to him). 

Thankfully, we live in a very different society. The things our parents or loved ones say about us do not have to determine our future. Instead, we can turn to what God has said. As God's children, we are entitled to the blessings he has promised through his Word. What he has to say about our life and our worth and our future outweigh everything else we hear. It's our job to read the Bible and discover what those are. Then we will not have to deceive like Jacob, or feel fear like Esau, because God is good and has more than enough for everyone who comes to Him." 
___________________________
Takeaway from today's lesson: Words are powerful forces in our lives. Be careful whose you listen to.

Prayer: God, thank you that my future is in your hands. Help me to know what you say about me so that I can live the fullest life. Amen.
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We continue our look at the life of Jacob through the book "Escaping with Jacob" by David Ramos. As we read last week, Jacob's brokenness is openly displayed for us to see. His life was on a downward spiral, due to his own greed and desires, encouraged by his mother. Today we continue our look into how Jacob's selfish choices impacted his family.   
__________________________
Week 4: Read Genesis 27:18-46 (The Stolen Blessing)


"Even though Jacob may have been apprehensive to follow his mother's plan initially, he does so anyways. Jacob enters the room of his dying father and begins the charade. At least three times Isaac asks him directly, "Who are you .. are you really my son?" Jacob's replies grow shorter and shorter as he realizes his voice might be the downfall of the whole plan.

But it works. Isaac eats and after one last embrace to make sure it truly is his son Esau, he pronounces an elaborate blessing over him. However, the scene quickly turns dark as Esau enters the room. He enters with high hopes that he has fulfilled his father's last request but has no idea that Jacob had already beaten him to it 

Isaac and Esau are heartbroken and furious. Isaac's body trembled while Esau let out a violent scream. This was not a small betrayal for some inheritance. It was essentially switching the destinies of the two sons - one would go on to power and success, the other would not. Esau promises to get his revenge. Rebekah, the mother who acted to help her youngest son, now must plan his escape. 

The meaning of this story only makes sense if you take time to realize how important deathbed blessings truly were in the Old Testament. We often think of a blessing like wishing someone good luck or a bright future. When in fact, many considered blessings a kind of prophecy. When God blessed Abraham, he was not just wishing him well, but instead, telling him the kind of life he would lead. The same is true here. Isaac laid out an incredible future for Jacob and barely had any scraps left to give to Esau (which shows how much he favored Esau and was intending to give to him). 

Thankfully, we live in a very different society. The things our parents or loved ones say about us do not have to determine our future. Instead, we can turn to what God has said. As God's children, we are entitled to the blessings he has promised through his Word. What he has to say about our life and our worth and our future outweigh everything else we hear. It's our job to read the Bible and discover what those are. Then we will not have to deceive like Jacob, or feel fear like Esau, because God is good and has more than enough for everyone who comes to Him." 
___________________________
Takeaway from today's lesson: Words are powerful forces in our lives. Be careful whose you listen to.

Prayer: God, thank you that my future is in your hands. Help me to know what you say about me so that I can live the fullest life. Amen.
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