Today is Good Friday, the day Jesus died on the cross for your sins and mine and Jacob’s.
Deception and lies are sins. Real sins for which Jesus died. He took the punishment our sins deserve before the Holy God. God the Father never took away the pain and suffering Jesus endured for you and me, because we need a Savior, One who takes away our sins.
Genesis 27:18-29, completes the story of deception and lies which Rebekah and Jacob participated in against Isaac.
Rebekah overheard Isaac tell their oldest son to kill and fix a favorite dish for Isaac. then Esau would receive the blessing. Esau left to hunt. Rebekah hurried to Jacob and told him to kill a goat which she would cook to Isaac’s liking. Then Jacob would pretend to be Esau and receive the blessing. Jacob agreed to the deception. No problem.
Jacob put on a garment of Esau’s and Rebekah thought of using the skin and hair of the goat to make Jacob hairy like his brother. He took the fragrant dish to his dad.
Isaac asked Jacob, Is that you my son? Jacob flat out lied, I am Esau, your firstborn son. I’ve done as you asked, get up and eat the game I killed for you. Then bless me.
Isaac could not see well, but he had doubts that Esau could have so quickly killed and made this dish for him. Isaac asked Jacob how this was done so quickly? Jacob added another lie, Because the LORD your God caused it to happen.
Again, Isaac tested Jacob. Come close that I may feel you – to know if you are really my son Esau. Jacob went close and Isaac felt his hands and neck, they were hairy with the goat hair. Then Isaac said, you sound like Jacob but your hands and neck are hairy like Esau’s.
Isaac then ate the meal prepared for him. Then he gave one more test. He asked Jacob to come close. Jacob did so. Isaac smelled the garment Jacob was wearing (remember it was Esau’s) and it smelled like Esau.
Then Isaac, while still having lingering doubts, blessed Jacob.
Blessing paraphrased: Genesis 27:28-29
May God give you the dew of heaven, the fatness of the earth, an abundance of grain and new wine; May people serve you, and nations bow down to you; be master over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be those who curse you, and bless those who bless you.
God’s Word ~ Alive!
Psalm 120:2
“Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips,
From a deceitful tongue.”
Is this your prayer?