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Journey through the Scriptures - Genesis 25.23
By jason | January 7, 2008
Scripture
And the Lord said to her,
Two nations are in your womb,
And two peoples from within you,
shall be divided;
the one shall be stronger than the other,
the older shall serve the younger.
Observation
It amazes me to see how absolutely deceitful Jacob was. Every step of the way he deceives his older brother, Esau. But what makes this all so astonishing (because deceit alone is not uncommon) is that God uses the line of Jacob to fulfill his promises.
The Lord renews his commitment to his word: (to Isaac) “I will multiply your offspring as the stars of the heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands” (26.4).
But how unbelievable that he’ll do so through a lying cheat like Jacob. sure, we know there’s a change in Jacob as he wrestles with the pre-incarnate Son. But right now he’s just an ordinary, run of the mill liar.
He bought Esau’s birthright, manipulating him to do so (25.29-34). In Jacob’s defense, Esau had it oming. What kind of fool gives up his birthright for a bowl of lentil stew and bread? Later, however, through the plan concocted by his mother he stole Esau’s blessing from Isaac (27.1-19).
The family is pretty messed up. It’s full of the cliche that mom prefers one (Jacob) and dad prefers the other (Esau) (25.28). Isaac’s a liar of the sort of his father, Abraham. He whores off his wife out of fear of losing his own life (pretty much a coward).
And this is the family God is going to use to fulfill his promises?
Quite an unlikely bunch of sinners to usher in the plan of God. Oh, and let’s not forget that it appears that Isaac recognizes Jacob’s propensity for lying as he makes him prove he’s Esau, and thanks to mommy it works (27.21).
Application
What this shows me is that we serve a great God who can accomplish his purposes even despite (or in spite) of us. he’s not limited by our sin. He can overcome any obstacle to accomplish his plan even in spite of our wicked, evil hearts.
This is most radically displayed in the death of his Son, Jesus. Peter says, “this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men” (Acts 2.23).
Through the horribly sinful acts of humanity God brought about his redemptive plan for humanity. Jesus could truly echo Joseph in saying, “what you meant for evil, God meant for good.”
Prayer
Lord thank you that you are in control and will fulfill your promises. Lord in Jesus you demonstrate your sovereignty and goodness all at once. Thank you for that.
Father, just as you have been faithful to your promises in the past won’t you prove your faithfulness to us now? You’ve called us to start LifeConnection. We’re out on a limb like never before. We’re trusting that you will deliver on your promise to build your church. Give us the clear assurance that you will provide a way as we move toward our Launch on February 10.
Topics: Spiritual Growth, The Scriptures |