A Curse on Jacob and Rebecca

My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing. And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, m son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them. Genesis 27:12-13

Steps: 1, 4, 5, 6, 11

In this section of the Bible story Isaac is growing old and is blind. He perceives that he is going to die and he is ready to grant his eldest son the birthright of a double portion of property and a double portion of spiritual blessing as the spiritual leadership of the family. Jacob covets the spiritual blessing and wants it but cares less for the property. Jacob’s mother Rebecca comes up with a strategy to get the blessing on Jacob in light of the prophecy that the older would serve the lesser. Jacob hears of this plan and is concerned about getting caught, not the intrinsic evil of the plan. Jacob is willing to try to deceive his father if he won’t get caught. Rebecca provides the solution and that is she is willing to receive the curse of God that would come from deceiving her husband, and by helping God in ways of works that deviates from faith. She is not aware but her behavior will mean that soon she will not see her son for the rest of her life, and that she will be a role model for the Jewish leadership when they ask for the blood of Jesus to be on them and their children. Matthew 27:25. She did not do an inventory and she received much grief.

Prayer for Today: God, let us see our need before we are willing to deceive others and receive the curse. Help us to be willing to recognize Your higher call on us than our loyalty to others. Help us to be willing to receive Your gift of forgiveness.