Gen. 27:17-1917And she gave the savory meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob. 18And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son? 19And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me. (Genesis 27:17‑19)
“AND SHE gave the savory meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob. And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I: who art thou, my son? And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.” vv. 17-19.
The scene now to be considered is so sorrowful that the reader would perhaps prefer to turn from it. Yet God has provided the details (with all their sad overtone) and would remind us that: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Tim. 3:1616All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16). It is well to see what profit may lie in this portion for the reader personally. We will ever be reminded that God deals in grace with His own.
Consider Isaac: His boyhood was marked with godly obedience, so strong that he went unquestionably with his father to Mount Moriah and willingly agreed to being offered up as a sacrifice. He was again submissive to his father when Abraham sent the servant to secure a wife for him, and waited patiently for her arrival. True, he had failed years later in his visit to Gerar, but he had been restored when he presented himself to the Lord and left the enemy’s influences. What then, had happened in his old age that could bring about a situation where, if left to himself, he would oppose the mind of God as regarding his two sons? The answer will be found in his own words: “Make me savory meat, such as I love... that soul may bless thee before I die.” He had allowed his natural lust of savory meat to have first place in thoughts. Yes, sad to say, the savory meat meant more to him at such important time than the counsel God and he was altogether willing to give his blessing to the eldest as soon as he could satisfy appetite.
Here is a sad, but important object lesson indeed. Yesterday’s faith fullness and dependence on God no matter how strong or uplifting the heart — will not suffice for today’s needs. The enemy of our soul: will make quick use of every natural weakness to turn thoughts and obedience away from God and toward self-gratification if he can do so. Fellow-Christian, there should be no confidence whatsoever in the flesh but a continual dependence on the One who is “the author and finisher of our faith” for He alone can keep the heart and feet from going into strange pathways.
The failure of this child of God so many years ago should be a solemn warning in our day, when then is so much to appeal to the natura appetite and deprive the Lord’s people of a happy walk of dependence on a loving God and Father, who will never deprive His own of one good thing.
ML-07/17/1966