The Deception
Jacob “bought in” to his mother, Rebekah’s scheme to deceive Isaac into giving him the blessing which Isaac fully intended to give Esau.
Jacob provided the meat for the meal he would take to his father, Isaac. Rebekah prepared a favorite dish of Isaac’s. They had concern that Jacob would be “found out” by Isaac. Jacob was a “smooth man” and his brother was a “hairy man.” They put the skins of the young goats on Jacob’s hands and the smooth part of his neck. The best garments of Esau were also worn by Jacob.
Jacob took the dish and bread to Isaac so that he would receive the blessing. (Genesis 27:8-17)
Isaac heard Jacob’s voice and knew something wasn’t right so he asked Jacob, “Who are you, my son?”
Jacob lied. He said he was Esau, the firstborn. He continued to lie when he was questioned by his father about the quickness of finding game for the meal. He said that “the Lord your God caused it to happen to me.”
One lie leads to others. Jacob’s lie led to one lie and then another. Deceptions and lies are a slippery slope.
Isaac asked Jacob to come close. He felt the hands of Jacob. They were hairy like Esau’s but the voice wasn’t right. Remember, Isaac could not see, his eyesight was dim. Then Isaac asked Jacob another question, “Are you really my son Esau?” How did Jacob respond? “I am.” (Genesis 27:18-24)
Jacob received the blessing of Isaac through deception.
God intended Jacob to receive the blessing; however, Isaac and Rebekah, Esau and Jacob all were involved in deceitfulness. Their desire led to deceiving one another. Each of them wanted the coveted blessing of God.
~ Take it to heart ~
The opposite of deception and being a deceiver is: using honesty and truthfulness.
What is your reality:
are you continuing to deceive or are you becoming a godly person?
You have a choice… what do you now choose?
(NIV) Psalm 86:11
“Teach me your way, O Lord,
and I will walk in your truth;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.”