Genesis 27:11-15
“But look,” Jacob replied to Rebekah, “my brother, Esau, is a hairy man, and my skin is smooth. What if my father touches me? He’ll see that I’m trying to trick him, and then he’ll curse me instead of blessing me.”
The name "Jacob" means "One who cheats."
Jacob cheated Esau out of his birthright, Isaac out of his blessing, his wives out of their children, and Laban out of his wealth.
Everything Jacob gained was gained by scheming and cheating.
God very obviously blessed Jacob. Not because of his cheating but despite it.
God told Moses in Exodus 33:19
“I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.
When we read the Bible, it is easy for us to glorify the men that it writes about.
Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt.
Jacob wrestled with God and prevailed.
God did great things through these men!
How much more could God have done through Jacob had he decided to rely on God fully instead of his cunningness?
How much more could God have done through Moses had Moses bridled his passion and anger?
God did not bless Moses or Jacob because of their actions...
God blessed Moses and Jacob despite their actions.
There is no one who is good.
There is no one worthy of blessing.
God chooses, for His own purposes, to show mercy and compassion on whom He chooses to show mercy and compassion.
One way that God has chosen to bless us is by recording, in the Word, the mistakes of the people He used.
Jacobs Mistakes
Behind each scheme of Jacob, we see the advice of a woman who is close to him.
Rebekah advised him to deceive Esau and Isaac.
Leah convinced him to sleep with Zilpah
Rachel convinced him to sleep with Bilhah
Out of a desire to please his wives, Jacob deceived Laban.
Rachel’s deception in stealing Laban’s idols (which she concealed from Jacob) would have gotten Jacob killed had God not personally stepped in and warned Laban to leave Jacob alone.
The word paints a picture of a man who is not walking in authority.
Like a eunuch, Jacob has forfeited his authority and has put himself in the position of a servant to the women around him.
Like a eunuch, Jacob has no drive or direction of his own.
Like a eunuch, Jacob has the physical attributes of a man... He is physically strong and capable. He is able to physically lead and protect a family but he is unable to do so spiritually.
The Word is very clear on the role of men and women in a kingdom-centered relationship.
1 Timothy 2:12-15 tells us, "I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result."
Men were created with the capability and responsibility to lead.
Women were created with the capability and the responsibility to submit.
Satan is the opposite of Christ.
When we are living in the reverse of the plans and purposes of God, we are walking in the plans and purposes of Satan.
We see it in the garden...
Had Adam walked in authority, had he taught Eve what God had instructed him, and then led her to obedience, there would have been no sin.
Had Adam, even after Eve had sinned, refused to compromise... God may have responded differently.
Adam gave up authority, which allowed Satan to step in.
Satan deceived Eve.
Eve led Adam.
Adam sinned.
Did God not bless Adam despite Adam's actions?
In the same way:
Jacob gave up authority, which allowed Satan to step in.
Satan deceived Rebekah
Rebekah led Jacob
Jacob sinned.
Did God not bless Jacob despite Jacob's actions?
Again, God chooses to display mercy and have compassion on whom He chooses.
God causes the sun to shine on both the righteous and the unrighteous.
God's plan and purposes will not be thwarted by our actions.
We serve a holy God who does what He pleases among men on earth and angels in heaven.
It pleases God to bless His children.
God will not bless disobedience.
God can and will USE disobedience...
He will not bless it.
Oftentimes, what we view as a blessing... might just be God’s dispensation.
Though God’s providence is always good, there is something greater which is only available to those who, by fearing God, have obtained wisdom in how they should walk...
The blessing of righteousness.
Jesus describes this blessing in the "be attitudes": Seeing God, Receiving mercy, Inheriting the earth, Being called Children of God.
Let us, as men, learn from Jacob.
Let His story be a warning to us.
Pray like this: "God, I submit to you. I do not have eyes to see, please give me eyes. I do not have ears to hear, please give me ears. My hands are ineffective to carry out your work, please give me hands. You promised God that you would make me wise and show me where to go, that you would guide me and watch over me. You warned me not to be like a horse or donkey, which doesn't understand. That must be led with bits and reins, or they will not come near you. Strengthen me and give me understanding so that I can walk in the path you laid out for me. Allow me to walk in the path of your blessing and not be content in only your dispensation."