Nothing Easy To Obtain

Genesis 27

People don’t live forever. Each one of us has the opportunity to make our own contribution and then leave the scene of life. In Genesis 27, Isaac is bowing out for Jacob to carry the divine blessing promised Abraham in Genesis 12. Isaac blessed Jacob (and Esau also cried for something to be given to him). The father satisfied both but not without Esau hating and planning to kill Jacob.

What can we learn from this chapter? Human history is not perfect, including Abraham’s descendants. There are three lessons we can take away from this chapter:

#1. No one can stop God’s plans. (Genesis 27:1-29)

The first thing we observe here is that Isaac blessed Jacob agreeing to what God had already prophetically declared to Rebekkah that the younger will be greater than the older. Even though Jacob used dubious means, it still did not negate the blessing of his father on his life. Spiritual blessing is pivotal to realizing what God intends to do in our lives. In Genesis 1, God made man and blessed him to fulfill His dominion agenda on earth. Ephesians 1:3 says we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

#2. It takes desperation to obtain results. (Genesis 27:30-40)

After Jacob had taken all the blessings, Esau came in to request for blessings from the father. Even though Jacob had taken the main blessing, Esau also got a blessing. He wrestled with his father and got one blessing. Without the posture of desperation, you cannot obtain any results. Esau was really intense in spirit to ask for a blessing from the father. He got what he needed and worked with it to get results. We cannot be passive and obtain from the Lord. Esau teaches us that you can be last and still get rewarded.

#3. You cannot blame others for your bad choices. (Genesis 27:41-46)

Finally, when he obtained a blessing from his father, Esau hated his brother and sought to kill him. For losing what he legally gave to his brother, Esau was embittered. Esau never changed from his waywardness. You cannot sell your car and develop hatred for the buyer making it nicer. Esau is that type of guy. We all know people like that. They just blame other people for their bad choices in life. We must rather look into the mirror and correct the wrongs in our character.

In this chapter, we learn that Jacob took over from his father Isaac through obtaining the blessing. The old order was passing for the new to come. But it will not come without opposition. His brother hated him for getting what was rightfully his. The Lord had prophesied it and the father blessed him.

Take Action: What is it that the Lord has blessed you to do? Have you discovered it? Share with us.