Jacob Gets Isaacs Blessing

Jacob uses deception to steal the blessing from his older brother Esau. This theme of deception and in-fighting will continue on to the next generation (which we will hear about in the sermon next week). Despite this act of sin, God continues to work. He is able even to use our sin and deceit to accomplish His purposes. As we often say around UALC, we are stubborn to sin, but God is even more stubborn to save.

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REFLECTION

Struggle for Blessing

by Jeff Morlock

God promised to bless and save the world through Abraham’s family. Each generation carried on the messianic seed through one son. This seed passed through Isaac. And now it will pass to one of his sons. Will it be Esau or Jacob? The word “bless(ing)” occurs 22 times in these verses. Off-handed comments of blessing or cursing affect us more profoundly than we care to admit. How much more words of blessing spoken with authority and finality at a parent’s death bed? 

The struggle for blessing is the theme of Jacob's life. But no one can bless themselves. Therefore, Jacob risks everything to steal from his brother what everyone desires above all else - the blessing of the firstborn. It's about being special and favored in the father's eyes. The absence of this blessing poisons one's future. But in order to steal the blessing of the firstborn, Jacob has to pretend. We all do this. We hide our true selves from others. Seeking approval, some become what their parents want them to be. Or they rebel and become the opposite, trying to convince themselves that they don’t care. But what all of us desperately need is what this story offers: God the Father gives favor, even to folks like Jacob who don’t deserve it. 

Jacob lied when he said, "I am the firstborn." But despite his deception God was at work, and through Jacob's line came Jesus, "the firstborn over all creation" (Colossians 1:15) and "the firstborn from the dead" (Colossians 1:18). Jesus leaves the father’s home to come to earth and die on a cross, where, he prays. "My God, my God”. Every other time he addresses God as Father, but not at Calvary. Because at the cross, Jesus loses the blessing of the firstborn, and fulfils the words of Jacob's mother and co-conspirator, Rebekah, "May the curse [for sin] fall on me”. 

Jesus dressed up like us and got the curse we deserve, so that when we believe in him, we can be clothed like him, and receive the firstborn blessing of our heavenly father. Hebrews 12:23, says, "…to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven." What kind of family has nothing but firstborn heirs? God’s family! Which includes you and everyone reading this who are special and highly favored.

PRAYER:
Thank you, Father, that we are blessed to be a blessing. Help us by your Spirit to speak words of life and favor today, encouraging and empowering others to become all that you created them to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER - FRIDAY

FAITH - Pray for faith instead of fear, that many would come to faith in Jesus and that we would all trust God more deeply during this time.