The Devotional Journey
Bible Reading 18

Trouble in Isaac’s family

Read Genesis 27:1–28:9.

There was trouble in Isaac’s family and everyone was at fault.

  • Isaac was now an old man. From the details in today’s reading, it seemed he was now bedridden (Genesis 27:19). Even though he knew that Yahweh had told Rebekah years ago that the descendants of their eldest son, Esau, would serve the descendants of Jacob, the younger son, Isaac tried to spoil God's plan by blessing Esau. Throughout his life, Isaac had seen God at work but now as a old man, his own human thinking got the better of him and he wanted to bless his favourite son instead of obeying God’s plan.

  • Esau had previously exchanged his birthright for a bowl of lentil stew. He had showed disdain for the privilege and responsibility, but now it appeared he wanted to wrestle it back by getting his father’s blessing. His heart was never truly with God but he wanted the blessings of God.

  • Rebekah and Jacob tried to get Yahweh’s blessing through deception. Both of them knew what Yahweh had already decided years ago. But here they were, thinking they could help God out with human scheming. But scheming only ever brings sorrow and causes all kinds of trouble. In their attempt to fool Isaac, they succeeded, but they had to live with the consequences. The relationship between Esau and Jacob relationship completely broke down. And Rebekah would never get to see Jacob again on this earth. Jacob had to flee for his life.

None of them showed any faith in Yahweh or love for each other! Everyone tried to use human means to manipulate the situation to get what they wanted. What a disaster!

However, just as Jacob was about to leave, Isaac did bless him with the blessing that Yahweh had given to Abraham. Isaac finally recognised that the birthright and blessing belonged to Jacob as God had already said. So he told Jacob not to marry any Canaanite women. The Canaanites were a pagan people group who worshipped false gods so it was important that Jacob not get influenced by them. It would now be through Jacob that God would fulfil His promise that Abraham’s descendants to be a blessing to the world.

One main problem in this whole messy situation was that Isaac and Rebekah played favourites between their sons. This tore their family apart. Their marriage, which had begun so well, had also deteriorated to the point where they were scheming instead of cooperating together with God.

In our own lives, how are we treating our loved ones or those close to us?

  • If we are to examine our own words, actions and behaviours, do we think we may be showing favouritism and causing strife and hurting others?

  • Ask God to reveal to us if we are unintentionally hurting others. Let us be sensitive and loving towards others.

Another thing we can reflect on is how Jacob tried to gain God’s blessings through human means and deceit. He did not pray for God’s help nor did he trust that God would do what He had promised.

Even though he got what he wanted, he ended up with broken relationships with his father and brother and he never got to see his mother again. Jacob lost a lot because he wanted to do things his own way.

  • Is there something on our hearts that we want to talk to God about or ask God for?

  • Let us go to God in prayer and determine never to use human means, deceit or manipulation to get what we want. God wants His people to live trusting Him and loving others.