Jacob, The Joke Is On You

Last week we met Isaac and Rebekah and discussed their issue, loyalty.  They had twin sons, Esau and Jacob.  Let’s fast forward a little bit to Gen 25:19-34.  Jacob convinces Esau to give him his birthright for a bit of stew.  There are two things we need to know about this exchange.  First, it was a privilege of the first born of the family to have the birthright.  It was a place of honor within the family.  It entitled the oldest son to twice as many possessions of the father.  The first born birthright was highly esteemed.  The second thing we need to see here is that Esau couldn’t care less about it.  He trades all of that for some soup.

Jacob puts on an elaborate costume to look like hairy Esau and tricks our friend, Isaac, (who is practically blind) into giving him the first son’s birthright. (with help from our friend, Rebekah, not her most loyal moment to her spouse).  You can read about this in Genesis 27.

Biblical Scholar Alert- Once the birthright blessing is given, it cannot be revoked.

So, it appears that Jacob’s plan has worked.  However, notice he must flee the Promised Land, a sign of moving away from God’s covenant.  Let’s look ahead to Genesis 29.

Jacob is tricked into marrying Leah instead of his beloved, Rachel.  The family dressed Leah like Rachel and tricked Jacob, the very same thing Jacob did to Isaac.  The writer isn’t telling us, “what Jacob did was wrong,” He is showing us that what goes around comes around.  In fact, in verse 26 Laban tells Jacob, “in our country, the oldest goes first.”  Ouch!  Lesson learned.

Scripture doesn’t just tell us these moral lessons, it shows us.  But we have to know how to look.

What was Jacob’s issue?  Deceit.  When we are deceitful, we mislead others through lies.  We are two-faced.  Eventually we begin to believe our own lies.

This week will look at where we are deceiving ourselves and others.  As yourself the following questions:

What untruths am I telling others?

What “little” lies am I telling myself?

In what areas am I being two-faced?

Do I deceive people into thinking I am their friend, but then talk about them behind their back?

Have I begun to believe my own lies?

What can I learn from Jacob?