Do you remember the twins Jacob and Esau, the sons of Rebekah and Isaac? Old Testament scriptural accounts do not cease to be convincing and filled with daily lessons for life. Rebekah was experiencing a difficult pregnancy and consulted Jehovah. Jehovah explained to her Let’s look at Genesis 27:1-35:15. This segment talks about Jacob and Esau, and Rebekah more specifically.
Walking through these words, we see fascinating life lessons, which can teach us about favoritism of children in the family, not thinking through a decision, not making quick not well thought out decisions and more. One portion that I see clearly is the time when Rebekah, the mother, leads her son, Jacob, into deceiving his father and following her own mind which leads to a lot of trouble.
Isaac is near blind or blind, so that he cannot discern who he is talking to when he wants his son, Esau, to go out and hunt for his favorite meat. He tells Jacob to go out and hunt for the meat. But, he thinks he’s telling Esau. What happens is that Rebekah has a plan/plot of her own to deceive both her husband, and her two sons as well.
When Isaac tells Esau to go hunt for his favorite venison. Rebekah overhears this conversation between Isaac and Esau. She, in turn, tells Jacob what his father had said and what he wanted his brother, Esau, to do. Rebekah spins her web of deceit with the cooperation of Jacob. At one point, Jacob says something like, ‘But mother won’t father know that it is not my brother when I return with my father’s favorite venison?’
Rebekah continues in her plot of deception by influencing and convincing Jacob what to do to follow through with this secret plan. She says, “Obey my voice according to that which I command you. Go to the flock and fetch me two good kids and I will make them savory for your father just as he likes them, and he will bless you with his blessings for the birthright. Bring it to your father.” The plot begins to unfold for Jacob.
He is concerned that because Esau is hairy and he is not, “But my brother is hairy and I’m smooth. And I will bring a curse on myself, not a blessing.” She says, “Let the curse be on me.” Although, the deceitful plot could have ended. But Jacob is more obedient minded than is Esau. Jacob does what his mother tells him to do. He knows there is something wrong, but he has mixed emotions.
On the one hand he wants to obey his mother. On the other hand, he doesn’t want to deceive his father. On the other hand, he must deceive everybody: father, mother, and brother so he can receive the birthright. Esau returns with his father’s most favorite venison which only Esau had the gift to make it just like he likes it. Esau returns famished.
He is so hungry that he will do anything to eat the stew that Jacob was preparing. Jacob says something like, “Okay, I’ll trade you this stew for your birthright.” Esau, who we learn further in the biblical account that he makes rash, not well thought-out decisions. What does he do? And what happens? Now, we ask the question, “Just what is the value of this thing called the birthright?” To be continued.
Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker is the founder-superintendent of Today’s Fresh Start Charter School, 4514 Crenshaw Boulevard, L.A. 90043, 323-293-9826, www.todaysfreshstart.org, (Ask Dr. Jeanette TM) “Inquiring Minds Want to Know.” All articles are copyright. All rights reserved © Any errors? Please let me know. [email protected]. Join Sundays for music and message at 11:30 a.m. by calling (712) 775-8971, code 266751. References: The Holy Bible. Don’t stop praying and hoping.
