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Lesson 25

The Deceived and Supplanted React

Genesis 27:30-46

Me-

There have been times in my life when I believed that I had been treated unfairly. It is possible that some of those incidences were of my own making. The greatest injustice to me, in my opinioned, occurred when I worked at an industrial plant.  I was in charge of a storeroom of 10,000 which was open to the maintenance people twenty-four hours a day.  This made it very difficult to maintain a good inventory.  This eventually led to me getting fired.  The strange thing is that I was asked to train my successor and was also allowed to continue in the Purchasing Department for several months. There was one maintenance supervisor who went to bat for me even though it meant trouble for him.

I have often wondered if because of my faith I just did not fit into that environment. There was at least one instance when the plant manager made a very disparaging remark about those of us who were followers of Christ.  I am not bitter because my firing led to the opportunity to work for the mission board and to travel overseas.  God eventually worked about my situation which has allowed me to grow in my faith.

We-

Churches are not exempt from wanting to respond strongly to those who have hurt them.  We have had our own struggles with divisions and conflicts.  To be honest we have not always handled them well.  There are probably still some wounds resulting from the way that members have treated each other that need to be healed.  We also have to understand that it is our failures that sometimes bring about conflict.  As finite human beings we all too often leave God out of the life of the church until we find ourselves in a situation from which we cannot extract ourselves without God’s intervention.  His working out solutions will only come when we turn the control of our lives over to Him. It is not necessary to go into details, but it is important that we learn to respond to such situations in a Christ-like manner.  God tells us that we are not take revenge against anyone.  God will ultimately be the final judge and arbiter of every matter.

Genesis 27:30-31

Jacob left in the nick of time with Isaac’s blessing ringing in his ears.  No sooner had he departed from his father than Esau came in from his hunt.  He prepared the game and took it into his father so he could receive the promised blessing.

1. What do you think about the timing of Jacob’s departure and Esau’s arrival?
2. In what way was Esau carrying out his end of the bargain?
3. Why would he not suspect that Jacob would commit the act of deception before Isaac?
4. What are some instances when you thought that you had gotten away with a particular sin?

Genesis 27:32-33

At that point Isaac was a confused and shaken man. What was to be made of the events that were occurring?   He immediately wanted to know who it was that had brought another meal and wanted to be blessed. Esau tried to clarify things by exclaiming that he was Isaac’s first born son.

Isaac then asked a very obvious question.  From the way he stated it one can tell that he was very distraught.  He knew in that moment that he had been deceived.   There also came to him how his own lifestyle had set the tone for the family. Since he and his whole family were living apart from God, one could only expect for them to live according to the values of the world.  The damage had been done the blessing according to the world had been given to the wrong person. It could not be revoked. He wanted to know who had beaten Esau to the punch and brought the meal and received the blessing.

1. Why was Isaac shaken with the arrival of Esau?
2. What were his questions to Esau that indicated his confusion?
3. What do you think might be going through Esau’s mind at that point?
4. Why did he emphasize the fact that he was the first born of Isaac?
5. What is obvious from Isaac’s statement?
6. Why did he say that the one who had received the blessing would be blessed?

Genesis 27:34-36

Esau’s initial reaction was to weep bitterly.  He knew that all was lost for him if his father did not have a blessing for him also.  Isaac’s response would have torn the heart out of him as it would have any man. At that moment Isaac realized that he had been deceived. He used strong words in describing the actions of Jacob.  His younger son had taken, in an underhanded way, the blessing meant for Esau.  The pathos in Esau’s voice leaps off the pages of the Bible as he realized what he had lost.  The meaning of Jacob’s name, one who supplants, was used as Esau spoke of what his brother had done.  He had

• Taken his birthright
• Taken away his blessing.

His claims were only half true.  As was written earlier he actually sold his birthright to his brother for some bean soup.  His final plea to his father was to see if there was a blessing that he could receive. Even if there were more blessings to be given they would not carry with them the significance of the one given to Jacob. One can see that Jacob had been given everything that his father had, position, power and possessions.

1. What was Esau’s immediate reaction?
2. How would you have handled such a situation if it happened to you?
3. Why did Isaac only realize at that moment that he had been deceived?
4. What one thing did he forget in this whole event that maybe would have kept all of these events from happening?
5. How did it dawn on Esau the magnitude of what he had lost?
6. In what way was Jacob innocent of Esau’s downfall?
7. What do we see in the way that he described his brother?
8. Why would any blessing given to Esau by Isaac not have the same significance as the one Jacob had received?

Genesis 27:37

Isaac’s answer to Esau’s plea had to be crushing to one who was so confident in his own abilities.  All that he had hoped to gain from his father had now been given away. According to Isaac, Esau and all of his relatives would serve his brother.  Not only that but Isaac with the blessing, had asked that Jacob reap all the benefits that this life had to offer.  As far as Isaac was concerned there was nothing else to give to Esau. 

1. Why would the statement by Isaac be so hurtful to Esau?
2. What did the blessing mean for Esau’s future?
3. What had been given to Jacob?
4. Why was there nothing else that Isaac believed that he could do for Esau?

Genesis 27:38

Esau did not give up.  He did not want to walk away from his father empty-handed.  Again he wanted to know if there was not one other thing that Isaac had to give.  It turned out to be a highly emotional time for Esau as he wept because of all that had happened.  His last plea indicated the deep need in his life to have meaning.

1. Why did Esau not give up?
2. What did he expect his father to do about something that was irreversible?
3. What did his reaction show about how much he valued the blessing?

Genesis 27:39-40

Isaac did respond to the plea from Esau.  It is sad to say, they were not the words that Esau was expecting to hear. They were pretty blunt and could have been very discouraging. It is obvious from what has been written that Esau could not truly expect a blessing because of the fact that he had disqualified himself from even deserving one.  His father promised him that

• He would not be able to provide for himself from the soil as the land where he lived would be infertile.
• His life would be filled with warfare.
• For a while he would serve his brother.
• After a period of time he would no longer depend on Jacob.

 

1. Why did Isaac even respond to Esau’s pleas?
2. In what ways was the words spoken to Esau different from those to Jacob?
3. In what ways did the promises to Esau fit his character?
4. What disqualified Esau?

Genesis 27:41-45

Esau’s reaction is what would be expected from a godless man.  His plan was to wait until his father died and then to kill his brother.  What he could not get legitimately he would strive to acquire by violence. Here again is a display of his character. Rather than moving on he was one who held grudges when he did not get his way.

1. Why would one expect Esau to react as he did?
2. Why would his plan, if carried out, get him what he desired?
3. What does this tell us about his character?
4. Why are holding grudges detrimental to one’s life?

Genesis 27:42-45

Once again Rebekah steps in to the fray.  She heard of Esau’s threats and decided she knew what needed to happen to correct it.  Her plan was for Jacob to go and spend a few days in the home of her brother, Laban, in Haran.  In her mind it would only take that length of time for Esau to cool down and Jacob would be able to return home. To think that Esau would forget what had happened to him in a short period of time was ludicrous.  The excuse that she gave Jacob was that she did not want to lose both of her sons on the same day. Her ill conceived ideas cost her the respect of one son and would now lead to the loss of the son who she loved.  She should have considered that possibility before the episode even began. As far as the Bible indicates at the end of this episode would be the last time she would ever see Jacob. 

1. Why did Rebekah think she could undo all of the problems she had caused?
2. How could she believe that Esau would forget the events that had just occurred in a short period of time?
3. What would be the cost to Rebekah for her part in the deception?
4. In what way did Rebekah lose both of her sons?
5. Why would she want Jacob to go all the way to Haran in Syria for safety?

Genesis 27:46

  Rebekah could not carry out her scheme with the approval and assistance of Isaac. As weak and old as he was he was still the head of the family and any major decision still had to come from him.  Her approach was that she did not want Jacob to marry one of the local women.  To have that happen would take all meaning from her life. Notice she did mention the events that just occurred.  She played on the fact that Isaac also was not pleased when Esau had married a Canaanite woman.

1. Why did Rebekah now approach Isaac to get her wish?
2. What was her real motive?
3. In what way does this discussion still show her lack of respect for Isaac?
4. In what way was her reason a way of protecting Isaac?
5. What did she not bring up?
6. What was her reasoning for sending Jacob away to Haran?

You-

• Consider your attitude towards someone who has hurt you, what does the Scripture call you to do about it?
• Remember it is not what happens to you that matters but the way you deal with it that makes all the difference.
• Reflect on the words spoken by Isaac to both Jacob and Esau.  Even though the blessing was meant for Esau, Jacob went on to prove that he was more deserving of it than Esau.
• What words do you want others to say about you?
• Strive to be worthy of the words of God that say, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23
• Do not let events in your life destroy the righteousness and holiness to which God calls you.

We-

“Do not let the sun go down on your anger,” Ephesians 4:27 is easier said than done.  God calls us to be forgivers and forgetters.  The church certainly is not exempt from having to deal with situations that cause us to rely on God’s strength to get us through them.  Jesus over and over gives instructions of how we are to handle situations in which we have either wronged someone or they have hurt us in some way.  Each and every time He directs us to be reconciled to our brother or sister.  In Ephesians Paul wrote that our attitude is to be one of, “Forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32. Even on the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34.  Let this be our heart.  It is better to suffer than to take revenge.  That is what Christ calls us to do.

Additional notes:

DM-After Jacob had stolen the blessing meant for Esau, Esau must have come to the stark realization of what he had so flippantly given up for a bowl of stew.                    (Gen. 27:36-38; Heb. 11:30)                                                                                             

GC-Favoritism, deception, jealously and hatred have no place in a Christian home.  By these attitudes and behavior many homes have been torn apart.                                   (Gen. 27:2-5, 8, 11)

C-Jacob deceived his father and stole Esau’s blessing thus making first in the family although he was the younger of the two brothers. Now the package was complete Jacob had both the birthright and blessing.  It would appear that he was set for a long successful life once his father died. (Gen. 27:6-30, 33-35)

WM-Sometimes you never appreciate what could have been yours until it is not longer available to you.

C-Esau partly because he despised his birthright, selling it to his brother and partly through the deception of Jacob could now only receive the blessing due to the second son.  At this point all rights and privileges had become the property of Jacob.                  (Gen. 27:34-40)

C-What would your reaction be at such a turn of events in your life?  Esau began going through the grieving process that occurs when such a traumatic experience has taken place in a person’s life.  Part of that process is the emotion of anger.  In this kind of mindset he planned to kill his brother after the death of his father. (Gen. 27:41)

WM-There was no genuine love among the members of Isaac’s family as shown by their treatment of each other. (Gen. 27:41-46)

C-Rebekah caught wind of Esau’s plans.  This brought about a number changes in the life of this family.  They took place in rapid succession because of the explosive nature of the situation.  They were:

1. Jacob was sent away in reality to protect him.  However, it was done under the pretence of searching for a wife from Rebekah’s family back in Syria (Aram).
2. Rebekah lost the trust, respect and affection of Esua.
3. She for practical purposes also lost Jacob.  There is no indication that she ever saw him again.
4. Esau took revenge on his mother and father because Jacob was gone by marrying additional local wives.  This added to the hurt his parents were experiencing.
5. Jacob had to leave the family environment in he had always lived.
6. He began a journey which carried with it inherent risks and uncertainty.

In the final analysis what did Rebekah and Jacob achieve from all of the planning and carrying out the deception on Isaac and the consequences that each of the family had to endure. (Gen. 27:42-46; 28:1-9)

RT- Humanly speaking, the solution for ridding oneself of an obstacle that may be blocking our path has not changed in all of these thousands of years.  After the fall we see it in the murder of Abel.  Following in Cain’s footsteps Lamech then kills two people.  Now we get a glimpse of anger and revenge in the words of Esau as he made plans to killed Jacob after his father’s death to regain the birthright and blessing he had lost.   (Gen. 27:41)

RT-Did Rebekah truly believe that Esau’s anger would go away in a few days?  The reality was that this situation had been brewing for a long time.  The stealing of Esau’s blessing by Jacob was the straw that broke the camel’s back.  The problem was that both brothers were guilty of playing on their parent’s favoritism.  It is easy to say that surely Isaac and Rebekah must have seen how they were favoring one son over the other. Out of this kind of family environment there had to be a great deal of competition as each of the brothers vied for the love of both of their parents.  The Scripture is very specific in its description that each parent had a favorite son. (Gen. 27:43-44)