Genesis 27
God blessed Isaac, made him rich and gave him two sons, the older Esau, the younger Jacob. In those times the older would be greater and get much more than the younger. God had told Isaac that his older son would work for the younger, and you heard how Esau sold his birthright for red beans.
Isaac was old and could not see. Though he knew God wanted the younger son, Jacob, to be the greater, yet he loved Esau very much, because he was a hunter, and made nice food for his father.
Isaac said to Esau, “Now I am old, I know not the day of my death: now therefore ... . go out to the field” and hunt for me, “and make me savory meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.” Rebekah told Jacob that she heard his father ask Esau to make savory meat for him to eat, that he might bless Esau before his death. So Rebekah told Jacob to obey her and get two little goats and she would make the savory meat, so Jacob would bring it to his father, and so get the blessing instead of Esau. Jacob said to his mother, “My brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man: 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.” But his mother said, “Obey my voice.” She took the skin of the goats and put it on Jacob’s neck and arms, also put on him his brother’s clothes. Then Jacob took the savory meat to his father. His father thought him to be Esau, so he blessed him! It was very bad that Jacob cheated his father. Both Jacob and his mother valued the promise of God to give them the whole land, and, in his seed bless the whole world. But did God need their help? They forgot that God is almighty and could, and would, do what He promised. What a difference when Abraham looked on God’s promise. “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform” (Rom. 4:20-21). Was God able to keep His promise to bless Jacob? Did God need their lies? This brought Jacob many years of sorrow. He had to run from his home to save his life. His uncle cheated him, and when he was old his sons deceived him, just as he had cheated his brother, and deceived his father. God says, “Be not deceived....whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). Jacob reaped a heavy harvest. This is true for every person. Did you ever tell a lie? Did God hear it? Remember, what you have sown, you will reap! Sin will take one down to hell forever. Not only in this life will you get a painful harvest, but have pain always. But, is there no way to escape? Was Jacob sent to hell forever for his deceit? No, thank God! He has made a way of escape for every sinner. We read Jacob truly believed God, years later. Now God promises that He offers salvation to every sinner. God said, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15). The word “sinners” means deceivers, murderers, and doers of all bad things. It means you. Salvation is for you. “He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). Do you believe that He is able to do this? Or do you, like Jacob, want to help God to give you everlasting life? How foolish! Be like Abraham and trust God’s promise. He does what He says. God gives you the promise of eternal life. Believe His Word. Take it and thank Him.
After Isaac had blessed Jacob, Esau came in bringing savory meat for his father and wanted his blessing. Then Isaac asked, “Who art thou?” He answered, “I am thy first born son, Esau.” Then Isaac knew that Jacob had cheated him, and Isaac shook all over.
When Esau knew what Jacob had done, he cried aloud. But it was too late! He had not valued his birthright, and had lost his blessing. All who despise the gift of eternal life which God gives will certainly lose their blessing. Many people outside the door of grace will be crying when it will be too late. Though Isaac gave Esau another blessing, still he lost the blessing of Abraham; he lost everything which Jacob valued, and he never again had a chance to get it.