Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Genesis 27:1-10 (NIV)
1 When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older son and said to him, "My son." "Here I am," he answered. 2 Isaac said, "I am now an old man and don't know the day of my death. 3 Now then, get your weapons—your quiver and bow—and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me. 4 Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die." 5 Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, 6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, "Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, 7 'Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the LORD before I die.' 8 Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: 9 Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. 10 Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies."
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2 comments:
Finally, we arrived at the famous incident when Isaac snatches away the birthright and blessing from his brother Esau. It feels that many years have passed from previous chapter, since Isaac has aged now and is about to decease...I always wondered why Rebekah shows more favoritism toward his second son Jacob. She seems to work like a spy throughout on behalf of Jacob. This moment seems to be the awaited d-day, where the family hierarcy gets overturned.... Despite this tricky and cunning act by Rebekah and Jacob, God still allows this to happen...
Indeed it is odd that Rebekah being the mother of both Esau and Jacob favoring Jacob much more: even to a point where one can question her motherhood.
From the previous verses it was stated "34 When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. 35 They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah." It seemed Isaac and Rebekah didn't like the wives of Esau, in fact, they brought them pain.
Maybe Isaac and Rebekah never approved Esau's marriage knowing that those girls will cause trouble. Also, Esau could've acted out of his own will to marry them rather than seek God's approval.
Whatever the factors are, it is clear that Rebekah is not favoring Esau even though her husband, despite whatever grief Esau's wives caused him, still wanted to bless Esau.
I never liked the story of Esau and Isaac because of Isaac's wickedly cunning mind and Rebekah's favoritism. What is God telling me through this story?
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