After you finish reading today’s scriptures, come back and use the blurb and question here to dig deeper into the themes of faith, hope, obedience, and suffering. Join your fellow Bible readers in the comments to reflect and chat about what you’re learning!
As the time of his death drew near, Isaac committed the future of his children—and the legacy promised to his father, Abraham—to the Lord, trusting God while envisioning two very different futures for his sons. As Christ followers, we, too, are heirs of the promise made to Abraham when our faith is placed in the firm and secure hope we have in Jesus.
What surprised you in today’s reading? Why was that surprising or unexpected?
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86 thoughts on "By Faith Isaac Blessed"
When you read further on through Esau and Jacob’s journey, we’re shown a story of forgiveness and reconciliation. The story of these two brothers shows us the power that forgiveness and love holds, considering the two of them went on to fulfill the promise God made to Abraham that great nations will be made through his offspring.
I have always felt bad for Esau and wondered why only one son could get all of the blessing
I don’t understand how he could only bless one son. Surely there was some blessing for Esau
I was surprised that Rebekah was so willing to plot against her husband and son.
It was a nice reminder of whose legacy we are a part of.
This was really helpful for me! It helped me to reframe the story, and it helped me look for ways in my life where I’m “scheming” trying to make my own way, instead of just resting in the promises of God. I also was reflecting on Jacob’s life after this moment, and we see multiple times where things go awry for him. I’m thinking specifically of when he gets works so hard to marry Rachel but then tricked into marrying Leah. Then his own sons scheme against him, when they lie to him about the fate of Joseph. It’s so interesting to see how this deceit follows him forward. Thanks for sharing!
This is such a helpful perspective- thank you for sharing!
Not to take anything away from the deceit in this story, I have wondered why there could only be one blessing by the father?
Amen
This reading has me wondering why was Jacob deceitful and what was the gain for his mother to do that
When we orchestrate circumstances because we think we know best or honestly because we are selfish we tend to set off a series of scenarios tag many
Hi
Reading the beginning part of the story reminds me of two things: 1 habits and the ability to lie as Rebekah and Jacob did and practiced and on purpose, which could result from my next hypothesis . 2 Jacob seemed awfully comfortable with the idea that his mother should protect him from Isaac’s wrath, my grown son would be aghast at me even offering to do this for him, it would border on an insult to his manliness- was this pattern developed through a lifetime of abuse at Isaac’s hand, a lifetime of situations in which mother had saved son from father possibly by taking on the “punishment” herself? Maybe that also plays into the situation of God allowing this deceit; not that He condoned it but He clearly allowed it and this is a scenario in which it all makes more sense to me….
Also, if the Old Testament is supposed to foretell what happened to Jesus, then maybe it is with Rebekah being the savior, believers being Jacob, and the devil being Esau?
Todays devotional leaves me with more questions than answers. Was it God’s will for Rebecca to orchestrate this deceit or did she take matters into her own hands the way Sarah did with Hagar? Jacob’s trials seem to me to be the consequences of straying from God’s will. Regardless, God fulfils his promises. We may stray and stumble but He is constantly leading us back to His will and His plan. He knows our hearts, He is not letting go of us, He will not abandon us. Such a good good father!
I was thinking the same time about Rebekah. Maybe she knew she had to do something to get Jacob in the hot seat.
Psalm 37:27-29 shows that the blessings of the Lord are reserved for us and no one take what’s in our name even if it takes forever for us to receive them. I know on the surface it feels very cold and is hard to digest this small snippet from Jacob and Esau. The blessing was always meant to be in Jacob’s name and deep down everyone knew that even hidden under the betrayal in this story. Even when things are hard to digest, our true understanding of God’s promises is that we should have faith and lean into him and dwell in Him as He restores us and everything else. No matter whose deceitful actions try to stop God’s plans, God will reverse any attempt from the wickedness. No matter what the wicked cannot receive blessings from the Lord. But that doesn’t negate the consequences of our actions for we reap what we sow.
After being a wife and mother, it’s hard to imagine favoring one of my kids over another and deceiving my husband. He must have figured that she was behind it. I pray that I would leave a lasting legacy for Christ, that I can pass down to my children. ❤️
I was reminded of a quote by Warren Wietsbe,” living by faith means living without scheming.”
Rebecca got the promise that the older would serve the younger. However, she cooked up an elaborate scheme to make the promise come through for Jacob. While the Bible is silent, Jewish tradition says after he ( Jacob) fled that she never saw him again during her earthly sojourn. We don’t know because the Bible is silent. When you scheme and try to make it happen something gets broken. Proverbs says, The blessings of the Lord maketh rich and addeth no sorrow.”
Faith is the opposite of scheming: Scheming is trying to accomplish things through manipulation, while faith is trusting in God and His plans.
I may not see it coming now but it’s on the way God will provide
Amen!!!
I feel this passage shows that, God is working behind the scenes in our lives even though we may not see the vision yet. When others get something we desire we must trust in the Lord that he has plans for us as well.
I was reading in the commentary about what a troubled family this was, and how nobody trusted anybody. So sad! Even Esau was in the wrong here, because, in a few chapters before this, he already traded Jacob his Birthright for a bowl of stew, so that means the blessing should have gone should have gone to Jacob anyhow. But conveniently Esau forgot this. They were all doing stuff behind each other’s backs.
I think there are a couple (or more) lessons in this story. One of them being, obviously, that God’s plan is going to triumph in the end no matter what we do. But also, we should let God take the reins. When he promises something to us, I don’t think we have to try and make it happen. What blessings did they all miss along the way because they were busy trying to do ‘help’ God’s plan? (or in Isaac’s case, the opposite of what he knew God said years ago)
God really doesn’t need our help for his plan to come to fruition!
So true, Gina! Had me thinking of last week’s reading on Abraham and Sarah and how they tried to “help” the Lord’s plan come true through Sarah’s servant.
The choices we make in life can either help us or make our journey longer. God’s Will will still be done but we have a say how long or quickly it will take by our choices.
What surprised you in today’s reading? Why was that surprising or unexpected?
What surprised me how much sadness I felt for Esau. He had his blessing from Issac stolen from him by both his mother and brother. That must have been a deep betrayal. It was so surprising because even though I’ve read this passage before, it felt really harsh this time around.
As a 2024 gal looking back I understand that being blessed in that time was monumental, especially for Abraham’s lineage, so I’m glad that Esau demanded a blessing from his father. That even with a betrayal so big he still demanded a blessing over himself and his future.
Also another thought that popped up was how sad I felt for Issac. He knew after Esau came back what happened and he tried so hard to avoid the issue by trying to figure out if it was Esau or Jacob who was originally bringing him food and asking for his blessing.
Just imaging Issac trembling because of the gravity of the stolen blessing is sad.
The podcast yesterday brought some light to this passage. God had promised that Jacob would rule over his brother. I think God would have accomplished this without deception. Jacob reaped the consequence of his deception. He had to run away. He was deceived in his marriage and again in his wages from his father in law.
This a great example to us that there are consequences when we try to deceive. We reap what we sow.
Praying for all! Praying God’s blessings over all of you.
Good point!!!
What surprised me: I should not say ‘surprised’ because having studied this passage so much it should be locked into my brain, but putting it together that the twins are 77 years old at the time of this blessing battle! Somehow I forget that between readings and ALWAYS picture them as young men! Shame on me!
NKJV MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition:
“Isaac’s perfectly legitimate question in v. 20 (hunting took time and Jacob had come so quickly with goats from the pen) afforded Jacob an escape route—
confess and stop the deceit!
Instead, Jacob, with consummate ease, knowing he needed Isaac’s irrevocable confirmation even though he had bought the birthright, ascribed success in the hunt to God’s providence.
A lie had to sustain a lie, and a tangled web had begun to be woven (vv. 21–24).
Although Jacob received Isaac’s blessing that day, the deceit caused severe consequences:
1) he never saw his mother after that; 2) Esau wanted him dead;
3) Laban, his uncle, deceived him;
4) his family life was full of conflict; and
5) he was exiled for years from his family.
By the promise of God he would have received the birthright (25:23). He didn’t need to scheme this deception with his mother.”
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In Vines Expository Bible Notes the matter of prayer came up. The younger Isaac prayed
on behalf of Rachel for children Rachel also prayed during her pregnancy. This is the comment I want to share:
“Prayer is not just a one-time experience in an individual’s life or family. Prayer is something that needs to be a regular part of our personal and family life.
The purpose of prayer is not to get our will done in heaven, but rather to get God’s will done on the earth. Ultimately, when we get where we need to be in prayer, we arrive where the Lord Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane when He said, “Not as I will, but as You will” (Matt. 26:39).”
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SEARCHING, I tried, without success, to find the song you mentioned! ❤ I give
°a hearty AMEN to your post, though! ❤
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Sharing my favorite lyrics from God Be the Glory by We Are Messengers:
“When the ground beneath my feet
Is shaking like a leaf
God, You’re still good to me
When my hope is all but gone
And I’m barely hanging on
God, You’re still good to me …
.
When my heart can’t find the beat
When it’s dark and I can’t see
I will put my hope in You …
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And whatever comes my way
I will always praise Your name
I will put my hope in You
When I run into Your courts
I will fall into Your arms
I will sing a song of praise.”
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Love, hugs, and prayers, sisters! ❤
Great insights, thank you CEE GEE!
❤
Thanks for sharing this Cee Gee!
So good, Cee Gee, thank you..❤️
Thank you for sharing, Cee Gee❤️
I am so grateful for all the comments that help me understand this passage better. One part that stood out to me this morning was when Isaac asked how Jacob, thinking it was Esau, was able to hunt and prepare food so quickly, Jacob answered that the Lord made it so. As I read I thought this deception was even worse than pretending to be his brother! Although the trickery of Rebekah and Jacob is hard to swallow, in the end God is in control. Even so, Esau’s anguish over missing his father’s blessing always makes me sad.
So grateful the Lord has more than one blessing to give!♥️
Amen….. Phew, right?❤️
God blessed Abraham, that blessing was passed on to Isaac, and in faith, Isaac passed it on to his son. Because of that, we too have blessings passed down to us. I don’t quite understand why the deceitfulness had to play a part in this, or if God had another plan, but God was still able to do His work even in the midst of imperfect people. That speaks to me. I’m pretty sure I’ve messed up God’s plan for me along the way, but what a promise we have that God will still be faithful to His promises even when we aren’t. I am so grateful that even when I’ve gone off track, God is still faithful to bring me back around and help me walk in His blessings.
This is what always sticks out to me when I read Hebrews 11. Imperfect people, it is such a picture of Gods redemption for each of us.
Thank you Kris!
Also does anyone know why he has only one blessing? That has always confused me.
This particular story has always challenged me as a person whose sibling always got the greater and better portion when we were young. But the inequity gave me endurance and made me strong and the Lord was faithful. It is so hard to see God’s bigger plan when you’re in it. Thanks to all for the extra background.
It is easy to see Rebekah’s deception to “help” Jacob get what God had promised, but let’s not neglect the fact that Issac knowing God’s plan to bring about the nation of Israel and the Messiah through Jacob’s lineage, refused to execute God’s plan and was going to bless Esau instead. Rebekah was wrong to take matters into her own hands and should have trusted God to stop Issac, but I believe we also see that God works all things for good and works in our own lives his perfect will even when we sin. The deception brought upon Jacob with Leah being substituted for Rachel, and Laban’s trickery keeping Jacob probably brought to mind what he participated in. The later reunion of the brothers is beautiful as well, and how beautiful that though she wasn’t loved by Jacob, God blessed her by bringing the Messiah through her line, not Rachel’s. There are a lot of lessons and things to ponder in these stories we can all relate to as well as accept, that God’s ways are so much higher than our ways. He allows things we don’t understand but in the end they are used for our good and to bring Him glory. I am so blessed every morning by this community of godly, insightful women. I pray for your requests. Keep sharing sweet sisters. .
Peggy thank you for sharing this because it gives me better insight into a story that, honestly, always frustrates me.
It surprises me that Jacob would listen to his mother’s scheme of deceit, and knowing it was wrong – go along with it, and that he could so easily lie to his father.
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Why does it surprise me? Because I would think that both Jacob and Esau would have been taught all about Yaweh. They should have known God would provide, and that His will would be done. God didn’t need their acts of disobedience in order to accomplish His will – but even in spite of their sin, His will was accomplished.
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Also from this story we can learn that it is never good to have “favorites”. Nothing good ever comes outs of it and it only breeds jealousy.
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On another note -it’s so nice to see so many new names here!
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Have a blessed Tuesday sisters – lifting you all in prayer! ❤️
I agree that the deception and manipulation are hard to understand. I think about when Jacob blesses all of his sons and wish it would have been more like that. This is also such a clear picture of how a family can be fractured by deceit and favoritism. And yet, God does turn it all around. He brings restoration, as He always does. Thank you, Lord!
I noticed how Isaac was doubting that it was Esau before him, and when Isaac asked how did you have success so quickly getting the game, Jacob replied “Because the Lord your God brought it to me”. Your God, not my God. Jacob knew he was doing wrong and Rebekah convinced him to do it! Years earlier the Lord had told her that “the older shall serve the younger” concerning the two nations in her womb. This seems like a case of us trying to bring God’s word to fruition, like Abraham did by listening to Sarah and having a son with Hagar. Doing wrong to try to make God’s plan work out is not how we should do things. I wonder how things would have turned out if Rebekah had trusted God to work it out and not been deceitful and convincing her son to be deceitful. God still would have made His word to her come to be. It is not up to me/us to work out the plan for God, He can handle it. We need to learn from their mistakes/sins, but so often we don’t. Thank You, Lord for Your patience and mercy toward us!
Sorry I clicked post too soon….i love how God works. The entire Bible is filled with stories of how God takes sinners and uses them for His glory. This story is full of deceit and lies, but God…this is part of our story of how God put everything in place for our salvation, preparing the way for Jesus.
♥️
I love how God works. The entire Bible is filled with stories of how God takes sinners and turns their sin around to work toward His glory
Jacob was rightly named. Such a trickster but seemingly he received that trait from his mother. This is a story of cunning and deceit but the part that always stands out is how firm and solid the blessing was. The power of words and decrees… Isaac had to give another blessing but he couldn’t remove the first blessing. It was already given.
I love we are all collectively having a tough issue with this piece of scripture, but we are still talking about it. It could easily be shoved off to the side and never mentioned again, but it’s not! We are in community, actively agreeing that it’s hard to understand and comprehend, AND seeing that it still helps paint a complete picture of who God is.
♥️
I was just thinking the same thing Sarah!
Agreed!!
Whenever I have read this passage I feel bad for Esau but I did some digging and understood why Rebekah did what she did. In Genesis 25:21-23, the Lord said that the older shall serve the younger. I still wrestle with what she did though. Did she do it out of fleshly greed or did she do it out of knowing it had to be Jacob to carry on the covenant. Jacob would go on to marry Leah and Rachel (he was tricked into sleeping with Leah). He favored Rachel over Leah. But in the end, Leah was the one buried with Jacob. Something I find so interesting is one of her sons was Judah who was listed in Matthew 1 in the genealogy of King David, King Solomon, and the King of Kings Jesus Christ. So in the end, everything happened according to Gods will!
Having read this story and Genesis 25 is anyone else surprised that Isaac is in the’hall of faith’ in Hebrews 11? Yes, he blessed his sons but not apparently under God’s guidance or trusting in what God had forewarned him about his two sons.
I have always had trouble with the dishonesty in this passage with Rebekah and Jacob. But thanks to this commmunity, I was reminded that God had already told Rebekah that Esau would serve Jacob. Sometimes I think we take matters into our own hands and try to “help” God out. But I’m reminded that God uses everything for the advancement of His will and promises.
Kinda funny, isn’t it, that we know these stories so well and we don’t really know them? In today’s reading, I started thinking about how other senses are heightened when sight is lost and how easily Isaac allowed himself to be tricked – even when he knew the voice wasn’t Esau’s. And the lies! God had already stated that the older would serve the younger, and then Esau had sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew (how shortsighted is that?!) so a bit of curiosity on my part as to how God would have worked out things without Rachel’s plan of deception.
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Praying my faith is strong enough to trust God’s plan each day, and that I NEVER succumb to the temptation to concoct and carry out a plan of deceit to “help” God.
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So many good testimonies yesterday – AMY W, RHONDA J, TANYA EVANS and others
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NICKY WINTERTON – loved your comment that we each have our own story
SHARON JERSEY GIRL- trust and obey! Yes, that’s the key
GRETEL – my prayer too, to know God’s voice in a for sure way
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GRAMSIESUE- praying for tax and financial situation
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It boils down to this – All for God’s glory!
Can I get an Amen?! (Another song I like)
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CEE GEE ❤️
♥️
Amen!!
Thank you for prayers!
Steve and I have pored over financial reports for the past 4 days…It looks like our accountant over estimated the amount she used for R&D capitalized expenses for 2023. Steve has worked with the GM to get actual payroll, material, & supply figures and worked to get actual R&D expenses. According to these new figures, we will only owe $100,000 which is covered by our withholding and credits carried forward!! We shouldn’t have to pay anything!!!
God is so good!! ❤️
Wow !!!!!!!! Amazing testimony ❤️❤️
Wow..God made a way, when there seemed no way…!! Praise God!!
Oh, GramsieSue! How wonderful. God’s mercy poured out! May all settled down with the IRS. Whoop,whoop!
OMG. That is amazing! So amazing, I am doing the dance! Oh praise God! Praise God! Praise God, for His faithful , love, mercy, grace!
Oh GRAMSIESUE, I’m Praise the God from whom ALL blessings flow..
God is SOOOO SO GOOD.❤️
Thank you Lord God, Thank you!❤️
Thank you Jesus!
Praise God!! So thankful for this good news for you and Steve a GramsieSue!
It seems so wrong, But God. Amen
We can’t deceive God, even when we think we are being clever. I can deceive myself and think that God doesn’t see. The surprising part is that God sees and still loves me. He doesn’t throw up His hands and walk away. He continues to work out His plan for me. Amazing Love.
At first I was perplexed at Rebekah’s deception but I went further back to Genesis 25 and the Lord had told her before they were born that the older son would serve the younger. So although Jacob was her favorite she was also forging God’s plan. I found it interesting how God moved forward with his promises despite all the deception from this family.
Good morning!
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This is one of those “It will make sense on the other side” accounts in the Bible. Esau had shown that he had little regard for God and the covenant by the women he married and the selling his birthright.
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There are too many things left unsaid, so I’m going to have to trust that God’s plans were accomplished even through the unrighteousness acts of Rebekah and Jacob.
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ADRIENNE – praying you doctors were able to gain insights as to what may be happening to you.
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TAYLOR – continuing to pray for your work situation
Amen Kelly.
Looking forward to this week’s podcast to see if they can shed some light on this week’s complex situations. (I typically listen on Fridays.)
This weeks podcast was SO GOOD. Enjoy.
The podcast is really good! It offers such great perspectives and insight.
Thank you for sharing. I did not pick up on that
The bible study today for me highlights how God moves behind the scenes and works everything out.
It also makes me think about the power of our words especially when we utter them over the lives of our children.
I think I better start saying blessings over the life of my toddler as she heads out for school each day..’heavens dew and earth’s richness’
That’s a wonderful application of this Scripture, Adoma. Start speaking words of blessing over your precious one while she is young!
On one hand, I feel relief that God uses liars and sinners (Rebekah and Jacob) for his kingdom plans…not even deceit will thwart His plan. On the other hand, it is always hard to understand those who God leaves out, slights, doesn’t choose. Ishmael, Esau, and all those who never choose Jesus as their Savior. Lord, help me to trust you when I don’t understand.
Some time ago, when visiting a friend, her son called for a lift home from a gathering he was at. I went along with her, parked up, we were chatting whilst looking out for him.
Suddenly she says “oh there he is” I ask where.. she says, as a group of lads approached us, “he’s there in the middle”
“That is not Jadon, he’s too tall ” I said.. the group walk past..
Another group come round the corner, as she again exclaims, “I can see him among these coming towards us”
Again, I say, he’s not with this lot either.. and they cruise on by..
We carry on chatting, mainly about her eyesight(lol) , I then say as a lone figure comes round the corner, “there he is” to which she replies… You’ve guessed it. “That is not Jadon” a moment later the lad gets in the car!
She looks at me and says.. “How did you know that was Jadon?”
My response.. ” I know His physique and his walk”
Not saying anything against my friend, but I am wondering about Isaac and this confusion about his two boys.. one sounded gruff, the other gently spoken. One was hairy, the other hairless. How do you make that mistake, close up in a hug ?
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THAT was a surprise!
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BUT GOD..
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Had this been God’s plan all along, that Jacob would be the receiver of the covenant blessing? That his people would be the blessed ones, whilst Esuas descendants got words of lesser value?
Esuas blessing, if I were honest, was not what I would have expected for him, being the first born, THAT was also a surprise..
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I’m not entirely sure where my mind wants to go. I know Isaac was going blind, but surely the deceit of Rebekah should have come to light.. again, I ask, was this God’s plan, all along..
Perhaps, Jacobs family were a better choice to be Jesus’s people..
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I know this story, but interestingly enough, I have never thought this deep about it..
I wait to read comments..
Much love.
Tina
All I can say about this is that we all have free will. God knew what was going to happen before it did and stated as much when he said that to Rebekah in Genesis 25. I did feel sadness for Esau and do whenever I read this. But God’s ways are higher than my ways. He already knows the heart. There was a reason it happened the way it did.
I have always been struck by the deceit in this story as well. The ‘blessing’ by the father must have truly been a coveted thing for a mother to encourage (and enable) such manipulation and deceit by a son. It was also apparently something that was permanent, whether the method used to get it or person receiving it were dishonest. We know from Genesis 25 that God tells Rebekah that her older twin will serve her younger twin, this just seems a curious way to go about fulfilling that promise.
Amem
I always have a hard time with this story; there’s deceit, favouritism, and greed. I understand that Isaac was a man of God and his blessing to Jacob is full of language that just shows how in awe he is at God’s creation. His prayer/ blessing also shows that he in no way reduces what he believes God can do – making nations serve him and having his brothers bow down to him – that is faith, and that is also a clear recognition of God’s goodness.
Reading the Psalm passage really helped
Right there with you. ❤️