Bible Study Online Article

In the last article, I shared with you, my personal point of view -- when it came to Isaac and the special blessing, that he had planned to speak into Esau's life. For I believe, that Isaac had allowed himself, to be blinded by the personal emotions and feelings -- that he had for his oldest son Esau.

And because of this emotional interference, I personally believe that Isaac's judgement and decision making, would be greatly affected. And not in a good way, either.

For he would find himself (unknowingly), falling into a prideful trap.

And it would be this "emotional trap" that would eventually lead Isaac, to embrace the notion -- that it would be best, to speak a special blessing into Esau's life.

Now the problem with this "special blessing" -- deals with the fact, that Isaac's intended actions -- would unfortunately, place Isaac in a very compromising position? For Isaac, would find himself traveling down a road, that would place him opposite, of what God had prophesied to Rebekah -- while she was still pregnant with the boys:

"Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older [Esau] will serve the younger [Jacob]." -- (Genesis 25:23)

Now keep in mind, and to be clear -- Isaac was found to be a great man of faith, who had always, remained loyal to the Almighty God. And it's for these reasons, that I personally believe -- that Isaac's intended actions, weren't meant, to intentionally defy and go against God. But I believe -- that Isaac's love for his son Esau, was so great, that he just wasn't thinking things through -- when it came to, trying to save Esau, from his past mistakes.

Now with that being stated, know that there's another side to all of this? For I also hold the viewpoint -- that God knew that Isaac's love for Esau, would lead him down a path, that could eventually place Isaac, against the very God that he serves. Understand, that the reason why I stand on this belief, deals with the mere fact -- that at this point from within his life, Isaac had to endure a physical condition -- that had caused him, to be naturally blind, for the final stage of his life.

Now I want you to know, that I don't think that Isaac's blindness -- dealt with him being punish, in some sort of way. For you must keep in mind, that Isaac was already losing his sight -- well before this account with Esau's special blessing, had taken place. But I do believe, that God had allowed this natural condition of blindness to come upon Isaac, so that it could be used as some sort of a blocking method? For I have embraced the notion, that God would use Isaac's natural blindness -- in order to keep him from unknowingly, going down a path, that would have compromise his position -- with the very God that he was serving.

Be that as it may, let's move forward a bit. And it's at this time, that we begin to take a brief look, at the reaction that Rebekah had to all of this -- after she had heard what Isaac was intending to do, when it came to his oldest son Esau. For the first thing that she does, is to notify Jacob, the son that she'd loved the most:

"Look I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, 'Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.' Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: Go out to the flock and bring me two choice goats, so that I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies." -- Genesis 27:6-10

Now there are some things, that I would like to briefly point out, when it comes to what Rebekah had just told Jacob. For it would seem, that with most, this part gets very little attention. However, when one take a closer look at this passage, and when read carefully -- notice how it was Jacob's mother Rebekah, who had brought forth the plan, and not Jacob? For you must understand, that she would add extra pressure to Jacob, by instructing him to do as she says: "Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you."

Now it would be at this point from within the conversation, that Jacob knew, that his mother was leaning towards doing something very wrong. And this is why he responded by saying: "But my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I'm a man with smooth skin. What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing." -- Genesis 27:11,12

But Rebekah wouldn't listen to Jacob's wisdom -- since she had already made up her mind, on what she was going to do, in response to Isaac's plans. This is why she responded back to her son by saying: "My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get them for me."

Now keep in mind, that normally when we are taught the account, that deals with Jacob and Rebekah -- it would seem that most teach, that they were basically two very deceiving individuals, who had wrongfully taken advantage of Isaac and Esau. But I want you to know, that I don't hold such a viewpoint. And to put it simply -- I just don't see it like that. You know, so cut-and-dry.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to indicate, that what Rebekah and Jacob were planning to do against Isaac and Esau wasn't wrong -- because rest assured, it was. But you also have to understand, that this thing goes much deeper, than what's on the surface of the Sacred Text? So bear with me a bit, as I try my best -- to present my case for Jacob and Rebekah, before we go any further.

First off, I think the one thing that most people seem to overlook -- is the special relationships, that Isaac and Rebekah had with their two boys? As I have already pointed out many times before, Isaac loved Esau more than Jacob, and Rebekah loved Jacob more than Esau. And that's just the way that it was.

Now let's take a brief look at Esau and Jacob for a moment? First off, we have Esau -- who was very outgoing and ambitious, and on top of this, he was very strong and brave. And make no mistake -- it would be these types of traits and attributes, that would allow Esau to become very successful, when it came to his craft -- which dealt with him being a successful hunter, and a subduer of the land.

You know, at times I wonder -- if it would really be too hard for one to imagine -- Esau from time-to-time, bringing home his many hunting trophies, in order to show and impress his father -- with his many worldly accomplishments? And honestly, any father would be proud of their son's accomplishments. And to be fair, why should we think, that Isaac should be any different?

However, let's take a look at Jacob for a brief moment. For upon closer review, one would find, that he'd liked to keep to himself. For he didn't have the reputation, of being strong and brave, like his brother Esau. I mean after all, would it be too hard -- for one to conceive the idea, that Jacob in some way, was jealous and envious of Esau?

Could it also be too hard for one to imagine -- that Jacob was perhaps at times, found to be sad, and had felt unwanted at times -- when it came to his father? Is it that hard to believe, that Jacob wanted to feel his father's love, like his brother Esau did? For when one compares Jacob to Esau -- they can easily conclude, that on the surface, it would seem that Jacob didn't have much to offer? For he wasn't adventurous or daring, nor did he have the sort of talents, that could bring about high praises from Isaac, like his brother Esau was able to do.

Now imagine this: Rebekah seeing her son Jacob feeling discouraged and rejected. Imagine how she would then come over, and place her arms around her son -- and tell Jacob that she loves him no matter what, and how great of a man he was going to be, and how she knew it to be so -- because the Lord had told her: "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older [Esau] will serve the younger [Jacob]." -- (Genesis 25:23)

Now could it really be that far-fetched, to be able to imagine how throughout the years, the relationships between the two groups -- would grow separately, and uniquely strong? Could it really be so hard, to see how Isaac would develop a strong bond with his favorite son Esau, and how Rebekah would develop a strong bond, with her favorite son Jacob?

So when Jacob's mother (you know the one who had stood by him, for his whole entire life) turns to him and say: "Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you." Honestly, I just can't see how he could refuse her? Even with Jacob knowing, that what she was planning was completely wrong. And it's also here, that we have another indication of the love, that she had for her son -- for she was willing endure the wrath of God on his behalf: "My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get them for me." And you know, that statement from within itself, speaks volumes.

Nonetheless, I wonder: What would you do, if you were in the place of Rebekah? With me being a parent myself, I cannot honestly say, that I would not find myself feeling pressured -- when it came to finally being able to see my son (who's been discouraged most of his life) get some type of official confirmation, that he too, will be great someday. Understand that these are the types of emotional traps and snares -- that we are easily lured into, when it comes to the ones that we hold so true and near, from within our hearts and minds.

Know that we can easily become, so blinded by our: emotions, feelings, and fears. So-much-so, that we would allow ourselves, to be led so far into the wrong direction -- when it comes to them. And it's not until after we have traveled a great distance, and we finally take the time to look up -- to see, just how far we've traveled, we tend to ask ourselves: "What happened? How did I get in this place? How did I get in this situation?" And it's also at this time, that we tend to blame everybody else -- instead of accepting the harsh reality, that we actually did it to ourselves.

Now as we can see -- that Jacob is torn between being loyal to his mother, or having enough faith, when it comes to doing what's right in the eyes of the Lord. In the next article, we'll take a closer look -- at why I personally think, that to some degree, that both groups are at fault in all of this.

God Creates the Earth

The Sons of God - The Daughters of Men

The Introduction of Abraham

The Birth of Isaac

**YOUR CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES - WOULD BE HERE**

Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty

Jacob - Wrestles with God

Joseph the Favorite Son

Joseph the Overseer of Egypt

The Unveiling of Joseph

28) The Twelve Rulers of Ishmael

29) The Birth of Esau & Jacob

30) Esau & Jacob - The Birthright

31) Isaac and the Canaan Famine

32) Isaac Lied About Rebekah

33) The Envious King Abimelech

34) The Battle of the Wells

Added to Page: 34) Abimelech & Isaac Makes An Oath

35) Esau the Rebellious

36) Esau the Favorite Son

37) God has Checkmate

38) <-CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE - PAGE->

39) Jacob - Loyalty or Deception

40) Deceitful Hearts

41) Esau the Son of War

42) Esau's Heart of Vengeance

43) Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty