Friends, the word of the week is:

Deceive.

Every single narrative we read this week will involve deception.

The story of Jacob stealing Esau’s blessing is familiar to anyone who grew up going to Sunday School. Let’s not assume, however, that we know everything there is to know. The biggest hindrance to learning is assuming you already know.

This story actually began 2 chapters ago. I got all excited about the fact that Rebecca went somewhere to speak to Yahweh (and she found Him and got an answer! 🤯). I didn’t actually mention what the Lord said.

“And the Lord told her, “The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son.” Genesis‬ ‭25‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There is no indication in the text that Rebecca ever shared this information with Isaac. She might have. And we do not make arguments based on what the Bible does not say. But- in my view- Isaac does not respond to Jacob and Esau like a father who knows that God has said “the older will serve the younger.” Maybe he knew but had other ideas on what the fulfillment of that would look like. We just don’t know what Isaac knew. Did he know that Esau sold his birthright? Or did everyone in the household believe Esau’s version of the story in verse 36 that Jacob “tricked” him out of it and “took” the birthright?

Jacob did not trick Esau out of the birthright. He bought it fair and square from Esau for a big bowl of red lentils and some bread.

The one being tricked here is Isaac.

But I kinda have this idea…

(Ho boy. Here we go again with Lacy’s ideas.)

😏

We have a son who is receiving the blessing meant for the firstborn. He is not the firstborn but he goes to the father wearing the robes of the firstborn. And covered by 2 young goats. (I know we haven’t got to Leviticus yet but you will probably recognize 2 goats as the correct offering for the Day of Atonement). This son feels like the firstborn. He even smells like the firstborn. And based on that, he receives the blessing of the firstborn.

Do you see where I’m headed with this?

All who are in Christ- we are Jacob. By nature, deceivers and selfish heel-grabbers. Christ is the firstborn of all Creation, (Col. 1:13-18). We can only approach the Heavenly Father because we are covered in Christ, our atoning sacrifice, and clothed in His robes of righteousness. When we approach the Heavenly Father, he embraces us and says,

“See, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field which the Lord has blessed.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭27‬:‭27‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

We don’t smell like the pig pen of the prodigal. We smell like fresh air, hay fields, and rich earth.

Once Isaac smells that scent, his blessing is released on Jacob.

Those who are clothed in Christ receive the blessing and inheritance of the firstborn.

“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

Jesus inherits everything. And those born of God co-inherit with Christ. Think on that for a mind-blowing minute.

I suspect that this is yet another little picture of the Gospel tucked into the OT.

Remember what I said in my pep talk about not pressing prophetic pictures too hard? Well we gotta stop because after the blessing it all goes sideways.

Esau arrives on the heels of the heel-catcher and the jig is up. Isaac goes into convulsions, Esau freaks out and suddenly decides that his birthright might’ve been worth more than a bowl of soup. He begs Isaac for any blessing he can muster up and doesn’t like what he gets. Rebecca sends Jacob hastily out the back because Esau is not being very discreet about his desire to murder his smooth little brother.

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One thing I find interesting in this story- they all act like Isaac has one foot in the grave. Look at it. Esau is practically digging out his funeral suit. Rebecca is afraid she’s going to lose both Isaac and Jacob on the same day. Even Isaac is thinking he’s gonna go any minute now.

By my estimate, I think Isaac is about 100 years old at the time of this event. Give or take a decade. Ok. That’s pretty old.

Ever known an elderly person who has been dying for 40 years? Every conversation gets around to a laundry list of ailments? Remember Mrs. Snow from the old Disney film, Pollyanna? She was the cantankerous old red-headed lady, waited on hand and foot by her daughter and who meets with the undertaker to plan her funeral. My favorite quote from her is “The Dr.? All he does is give ya pills and bills. Pills and bills. That’s all.”

Y’all, Isaac is gonna live for 80 more years. Nearly dead indeed.

🙄😏🤭