Take Two: Genesis 27, Proverbs 18

Gen 27 gives the story of Jacob's blessing. Isaac commissioned Esau to go and hunt and kill to prepare a meal for him. After which Isaac was to bless Esau. Rebekah, who we already know favored Jacob, called Jacob in to instruct him on how to deceive his father and receive the blessing intended for Esau (Gen 27:1-13).

Rebekah prepared the meal for Isaac and dressed Jacob in Esau's clothes. She used the goat skin to make covering for Jacobs hands and neck, so that he would feel hairy when Isaac touched him (Gen 27:14-17).

Jacob began to carry forward with the deception and convinced his father that he was Esau. Isaac was suspicious, but his lack of vision and age prevented him from being able to certain that it was Jacob before him (Gen 27:18-27).

Gen 27:28-29 contains the blessing. Jacob would live in the fertile region and would be a wealthy man, blessed with flocks and produce. He would be blessed by the nations who he would rule over (a prophesy of things to come) and his own brothers would be servants to him. The blessing is reminiscent of Gen 12:3, when God first blessed Abraham.

The deception comes to light when Esau returns and prepares his meal. He learns of Jacob's deception and begs Esau to bless him in some way. Gen 27:39-40 contains that blessing. Esau would be a "desert" man and would live by his physical strength and courage (the sword). He would ultimately rebel against his brother's (Israel's) authority and would break the yoke from his neck (meaning he would defy them).

Esau is angry and vengeful. He decided that when Isaac died, he would kill Jacob. Rebekah heard of the plot and intends to send Jacob away to her brother Laban in Haran. Rebekah even sets it up so that Isaac is the one who will send Jacob away...to find a wife (Gen 27:46).

As you read this, it is easy enought to start sympathizing with Esau. (I love the underdog of the story in just about anything). One may even start to favor Esau and question, "why would God bless Jacob after he has lied?" Not to try to defend God...but let me offer two other possible perspectives and see if they might shed light on any of this.
First, God has a plan to bring about. While it may seem that Esau got "shafted" in this, is it not possible that Isaac was going to get it wrong...miss what God wanted to come to pass, and through the deception of Rebekah/Jacob, God's plan came to pass? God does not need a reason to choose one brother over another. He is God and will not stand judgment for His motives or His actions by any of us.
Second, I am (as one person) glad that God blesses people who do it wrong now and again. I am always messing up and missing God on things. I sin far more often than I want. I think of my own interests way more than I should. I worry about me and mine in far greater ways than any person ought ever to worry or be concerned. Yet, God blesses me. The standard for God's blessing is grace, not justice. If God only blessed those who were deserving...you would miss out too. (You are not perfect either). This story is a story of how things came to be in the lives of the Patriarchs. It is not an instruction manual on how to live ones life. We can learn from it...without concluding that we must all become active in deceiving those around us.

Proverbs 18:9 is the takeaway today. Laziness and complacency are closely related to destruction. You and I are called to be advocates, not bystanders or detractors. As it relates to our witness, it is not enough to not be against the gospel...we must be for it. As for truth and righteousness, it is not enough to not be against it...we must advocate it. In everything that is of God, we are called to be passionately in pursuit of it. To simply sit by is only one step away from being destructive. Our actions often yield the same produce.