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Page Thirty-Nine
Jacob
The Loyal Son
Now keep in mind, that this is coming from the only person who'd stood by him, when nobody else would. A person that loved him so-much-so, that she's willing to stand between him and the wrath of God, so that his life may be spared. Now I ask you today, if you were in Jacob's place, could you say no to her?
(Bible Study Online Article Covers : Genesis 27:9-17)
Short Recap
Blinded Love?
In my last article, I pointed out that I didn't hold the viewpoint that Rebekah's planned deception was meant to be done in some kind of vile and malicious way towards her husband Isaac.
I'd also pointed out that Rebekah's plan of deception was simply an overreaction to Isaac's crafted plan, which dealt with him trying to defy God's plans for Esau. Now, I personally believe that Isaac would unknowingly try to outmaneuver God when it came to restoring the inheritance of his favorite son, Esau.
Also, keep in mind that when this account is read carefully, one will find that all parties were at fault, not just Rebekah and Jacob, as most people have taught and preached.
But to be clear, I'm not trying to say that Isaac, Rebekah, and their sons were bad people overall. Of course, I don't believe that. I think that the actions from three out of the four were caused by their tremendous love for one another -- nothing more, nothing less.
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They Were Overall - Good People?
I like to think that, for the most part, they were good, God-fearing people who had, for the moment, lost sight of the God that they were serving. And because of this, what they'd done instead -- was to focus and rely on their instincts, for I believe that Isaac was simply upset by the fact -- that Esau had foolishly traded away his birthright to his brother Jacob.
So, instead of trusting God for his son's provision, Isaac comes up with a plan involving a special blessing placed on Esau. Also, keep in mind that this special blessing would be in complete contrast -- to what God had already foretold about the two men before they were even born:
"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 will serve the younger." -- (Genesis 25: 23)
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Esau's Birthright Meant Nothing to Him?
Also, I know that I cannot count Jacob as necessarily wrong when he presented Esau with a proposition that directly involved his brother's birthright for a bowl of red lentil stew he was preparing. Jacob did not, or could not, have forced Esau to do anything. You must know that Esau was a man who was physically strong and known to have an iron will. I simply can't see him doing something that he did not want to do.
We must understand that when it came to Esau, his birthright meant nothing to him- and so, therefore, he decided to throw it away for what he'd perceived its overall value to be, which was nothing. And it's for this reason I stand by my viewpoint that up to this point -- Jacob is still in the clear.
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Who Was There for Jacob?
Be that as it may, let us now turn our attention to Jacob's mother, Rebekah, for she had adored Jacob so much. Now, remember that it was Rebekah who'd supported Jacob throughout his childhood. I hold the notion that there were probably times when Jacob had felt like he could not compete with Esau when it came to earning his father's love. And if this were the case, would it be too far-fetched to see Jacob feeling depressed and rejected at times because of this competition with his brother Esau?
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Rebekah Was?
And what about the mother who'd loved him so? Could it be inconceivable to see how Rebekah would come to his emotional aid and be a comfort to Jacob -- the son she loved with all her heart? We must not forget that God had given Rebekah a prophecy while she was pregnant with the two boys. And it would be within this prophecy that God would mention: "...and the older [Esau] will serve the younger [Jacob]." -- (Genesis 25: 23)
And with Rebekah knowing this, I can easily see how she would constantly be there, reassuring Jacob that everything would be alright because the Lord had declared it so before he was even born. However that may have been, let's fast-forward a bit. And it's at this time that we will now discover that Rebekah overhears her husband, Isaac, talking (scheming) to Esau and in her gut, she knows that Isaac might be trying to deny Jacob of his right to be heir to the birthright.
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How Could Jacob Refuse?
Of course, Rebekah would have none of it, so she immediately seeks out Jacob and reveals to him her plans to protect his right to the birthright. But after Jacob had heard what his mother was planning to do, he knew immediately that this would be wrong and that a curse (punishment) would probably be brought down on him if he were to participate.
But Rebekah quickly denounces his fears, by reassuring him, that all will be okay -- by telling Jacob, that she will stand in his place if the wrath of God were to strike behind what they were planning to do:
"My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get them for me." -- (Genesis 27:13)
Remember that this comes from the only person who'd stood by him when nobody else would, a person who loved him so much that she was willing to stand between him and the wrath of God so that his life may be spared from God destroying him. Now, I ask you today, if you were in Jacob's place, could you say no to her?
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Jacob Stays Loyal?
Nonetheless, Jacob would do as his mother had instructed him -- by bringing back the two choice goats, that she had requested of him earlier. Now after receiving the two goats, Rebekah would prepare Isaac's favorite meal, just the way her husband liked it. Next she would go get some of Esau's best clothes, and she would put them on Jacob.
Know that, by Jacob being a smooth skinned man, and not hairy man like his brother Esau -- Rebekah would cover his hands and neck, with the left over goat skins. Then she handed Jacob the tasty meal she'd prepared, along with some bread, and instructed Jacob to take it out to his father. So Jacob did as his mother had instructed him to do, and he took the food out to his father.
In the next Bible Study Online Article:
However, will Jacob's disguise, be enough to trick Isaac into thinking, that he was his favorite son Esau? Since Rebekah and Jacob are wrong for what they are about to do, will God step in and put a stop to it? And what about Esau? Will he find out, about Rebekah and Jacob's plan, in time?
May God blessings be upon you, and thank you for your support
Related - Bible Study Online Articles - Links
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The Sons of God - The Daughters of Men
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Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty
Continue Reading - Current Bible Study Online Series:
28) The Twelve Rulers of Ishmael
30) Esau & Jacob - The Birthright
31) Isaac and the Canaan Famine
33) The Envious King Abimelech
Added to Page: 34) Abimelech & Isaac Makes An Oath
39) <-CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE - PAGE->
40) Deceitful Hearts
43) Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty
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