Word of Encouragement (03/09/2022)

As we reflect on Isaac’s benediction, we see that it was not just a long list of things he wanted his heir to have and enjoy in this life. This benediction, for which Jacob was willing to do anything (including deceiving his father), is relatively short in length. Was it worth all that he risked? When his deception was discovered, he had to flee from Esau for fear that his brother might kill him for stealing his blessing!

When we read the story, we cannot help but sense that there is an official quality to it. Isaac waited till he had to put his house in order before he departed from this world (Gen. 27:2). Then, he asked Esau to make his favorite food so that he might bless him before he died (Gen. 27:4). Why all this formality? Because this benediction was the way Isaac would hand down God’s covenant promise, which he inherited from his father Abraham.

One of the main themes of the Patriarchal Narratives in Genesis is the idea of election. Election is, of course, an integral aspect of the covenant of grace. So, regarding the story of Jacob and Esau, Paul said, “...when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ As it is written, ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated’” (Rom. 9:10-12).

You can see why this benediction, which Isaac waited till the end of his life to give and was so careful to give to his favorite son, was so important: he who received this benediction was the heir to God’s covenant with Abraham. Sadly, we see Isaac’s love for his favorite son bordering on idolatry. He must have known what the LORD told Rebekah that the older would serve the younger. But it seems like he did not accept this decree. In fact, this benediction shows his deliberate attempt to go against God’s decree and impose his will on God: he included in his benediction the specific clause that Esau (whom he thought he was blessing) would lord over his brothers! Of course, his attempt to circumvent or thwart God’s will failed, just like all other such attempts, even by Satan.

Election is by God’s decree, not by our will. And we see again that God works through all the deceptions and stubbornness and failures of His people to accomplish His will without fail. We should be grateful, then, that God chose us in Jesus Christ to be the heirs of God’s promise to Abraham (Rom. 4:16). Isaac’s benediction, therefore, applies to us. Tomorrow, we will see how. Let us give thanks to God for Christ, in whom we have received God’s covenant of grace and all its abundant blessings!