1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,680 Speaker 1: Pray thee sit and eat of my venison, that thy 2 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:09,640 Speaker 1: soul may bless me. Genesis twenty seven nineteen, Dear Hemley, 3 00:00:09,680 --> 00:00:13,760 Speaker 1: Father to day, I am choosing to break generational cycles. 4 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:18,239 Speaker 1: Then no longer serve my purpose or my destiny. I 5 00:00:18,440 --> 00:00:22,080 Speaker 1: do not use deception to try to protect myself at 6 00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: the risk of my loved ones. Like Isaac and like 7 00:00:25,560 --> 00:00:31,120 Speaker 1: his father before him, Abraham, I declare that integrity and 8 00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:35,839 Speaker 1: uprightness of heart will be my guiding compass. I decree 9 00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:39,760 Speaker 1: and declare that as I move with integrity, you will 10 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:45,720 Speaker 1: multiply my life. Then shower me with your blessing. I 11 00:00:45,840 --> 00:00:49,280 Speaker 1: confess that I don't have to use manipulation and trickery 12 00:00:49,320 --> 00:00:53,840 Speaker 1: as Jacob did to get what you have for me. Rather, 13 00:00:54,280 --> 00:00:57,440 Speaker 1: I will stay in my lane and keep my eyes 14 00:00:57,520 --> 00:01:01,400 Speaker 1: towards you and your word, because what you have for 15 00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:05,199 Speaker 1: me is mine, and no one can take what's mine 16 00:01:05,640 --> 00:01:09,479 Speaker 1: out of your hand. Lord. In my life, when others 17 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:12,560 Speaker 1: seek to hinder my blessings, I don't have to panic 18 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:17,360 Speaker 1: or worry because you will continually protect and cover all 19 00:01:17,480 --> 00:01:23,080 Speaker 1: that I have. Thank you Jesus that because you bless me, 20 00:01:23,920 --> 00:01:32,440 Speaker 1: I am blessed. Indeed, in Jesus name, Amen. Thank you 21 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:35,720 Speaker 1: for praying with me to day. Continue listening for an 22 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:39,120 Speaker 1: incredible Bible story brought to you by Bible in a 23 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:51,080 Speaker 1: Year dot com. Jacob and Esau. Before this story, we 24 00:01:51,280 --> 00:01:55,200 Speaker 1: learn of Abraham's death, The father of Nations went to 25 00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 1: be with his Lord. He was buried by Isaac and 26 00:01:58,880 --> 00:02:03,040 Speaker 1: Ishmael beside him his wife Sarah. Isaac and Rebecca had 27 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:07,920 Speaker 1: twins named Jacob and Esau. The two, even from the womb, 28 00:02:08,240 --> 00:02:12,360 Speaker 1: warred against one another. He saw the older twin was 29 00:02:12,440 --> 00:02:16,600 Speaker 1: tricked by his younger brother and sold his birthright. Now 30 00:02:17,080 --> 00:02:20,399 Speaker 1: we will learn about Rebecca and Jacob tricking Isaac into 31 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:27,120 Speaker 1: giving Jacob his blessing inspired by the Book of Genesis. Hello, 32 00:02:27,160 --> 00:02:30,480 Speaker 1: I'm Jack Graham with the day's episode of the Bible 33 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:33,919 Speaker 1: in a Year podcast. Today we begin with a famine 34 00:02:33,919 --> 00:02:36,919 Speaker 1: that takes Isaac and his family to another land. And here, 35 00:02:37,040 --> 00:02:39,880 Speaker 1: just as his father did, Isaac tells a lie about 36 00:02:39,919 --> 00:02:43,920 Speaker 1: his wife to protect himself. Fear has once again ruled 37 00:02:44,120 --> 00:02:47,840 Speaker 1: in the heart of one of God's chosen people. History 38 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:52,120 Speaker 1: is repeating itself in a new generation. You'll once again 39 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:55,080 Speaker 1: hear how despite a lack of faithfulness on their part, 40 00:02:55,639 --> 00:02:59,919 Speaker 1: God continues to bless and protect Abraham's family now through 41 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:04,240 Speaker 1: his son Isaac. Listen to how Isaac prospered in this 42 00:03:04,280 --> 00:03:06,880 Speaker 1: new land, and how he was met with disdain and 43 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:10,160 Speaker 1: distrust by others who resented him for the blessings he 44 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:14,520 Speaker 1: was reaping, blessings God was giving him. You will also 45 00:03:14,680 --> 00:03:17,280 Speaker 1: hear how Isaac followed the model of his own father, 46 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:21,680 Speaker 1: created remembrances of God's faithfulness and monuments to the God 47 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:26,120 Speaker 1: who provides. And in this passage will return to Jacob 48 00:03:26,120 --> 00:03:29,080 Speaker 1: and Esau and the conflict that began to brew in 49 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:34,079 Speaker 1: yesterday's story. You'll hear of hidden intentions, heartbreak, and hatred. 50 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 1: Watch how Jacob's craftiness and cleverness and deception finally strike 51 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:43,120 Speaker 1: a blow to both Esau and Isaac that will forever 52 00:03:43,240 --> 00:03:48,720 Speaker 1: alter the course of this family and history. In today's passage, 53 00:03:48,760 --> 00:03:51,360 Speaker 1: he is not acting alone, but is teeming with Rebecca, 54 00:03:51,480 --> 00:03:56,080 Speaker 1: his mother, who favors him over Esau. Together they will 55 00:03:56,120 --> 00:03:58,720 Speaker 1: trick Isaac into giving Jacob what is meant for his 56 00:03:58,800 --> 00:04:03,440 Speaker 1: older brother. The family conflict will come into an explosive climax, 57 00:04:03,440 --> 00:04:05,960 Speaker 1: and you'll hear echoes of two brothers We've heard of 58 00:04:06,040 --> 00:04:10,680 Speaker 1: long ago, one accepted and the other rejected. Will all 59 00:04:10,720 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 1: be lost? Is there any way for this family to heal? 60 00:04:14,480 --> 00:04:16,520 Speaker 1: These are the questions you'll be left with as you 61 00:04:16,640 --> 00:04:20,480 Speaker 1: listened to today's passage. So let's hear the story now. 62 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:25,720 Speaker 1: There was a great famine that plagued the land. The land, 63 00:04:25,880 --> 00:04:30,240 Speaker 1: once adorned with fertile fields, ceased its growth. The land 64 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:33,320 Speaker 1: would soon return to its former glory, yet for the 65 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:38,039 Speaker 1: time being, Isaac needed to escape to healthier plains. They 66 00:04:38,200 --> 00:04:42,040 Speaker 1: escaped to Ghirarar, a hostile land in which Isaac had 67 00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:46,159 Speaker 1: never ventured before. When his family settled there, the men 68 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:49,240 Speaker 1: in the city were asking about his wife, Rebecca, for 69 00:04:49,360 --> 00:04:52,880 Speaker 1: she was pleasing to the eye. Isaac, out of fear 70 00:04:52,960 --> 00:04:55,719 Speaker 1: that they might kill him to take his wife, claimed 71 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:59,600 Speaker 1: she was his sister. As his father Abraham had done 72 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:05,120 Speaker 1: before him and Adam did generations before him. Isaac compromised 73 00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:09,039 Speaker 1: the integrity of his wife to protect himself. Yet it 74 00:05:09,080 --> 00:05:11,800 Speaker 1: did not take long for Isaac to get found out, 75 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:15,800 Speaker 1: and a great distress was put upon their leader, Abimelech. 76 00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:20,599 Speaker 1: Once again, the family of Abraham had underestimated the integrity 77 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:24,880 Speaker 1: of foreigners and had created strife amongst them, and yet 78 00:05:24,960 --> 00:05:29,560 Speaker 1: Isaac worked the ground well. The Lord had instructed Isaac 79 00:05:29,640 --> 00:05:32,760 Speaker 1: to remain in Girraar instead of fleeing to Egypt, and 80 00:05:32,839 --> 00:05:37,000 Speaker 1: he was fruitful for it. Isaac grew richer during the famine, 81 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:40,400 Speaker 1: and his influence reached far beyond the land of Gira. 82 00:05:41,160 --> 00:05:44,880 Speaker 1: The Philistines, who dwelled in the land grew envious of him, 83 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:50,440 Speaker 1: and Isaac became villainized for his success. Abimelech sent him away, 84 00:05:50,960 --> 00:05:53,560 Speaker 1: for they did not want him growing even more rich 85 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:57,520 Speaker 1: off of their land. Isaac and his family wandered for 86 00:05:57,640 --> 00:06:00,719 Speaker 1: many weeks, and they were met everywhere they went with 87 00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:06,080 Speaker 1: disdain and conflict. Yet God remained faithful and reminded Isaac 88 00:06:06,160 --> 00:06:10,040 Speaker 1: of his promise to him. God blessed him, saying, I 89 00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:14,200 Speaker 1: am the God of Abraham, your father. Fear not, for 90 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 1: I am with you and will bless you and multiply 91 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:21,440 Speaker 1: your offspring for my servant Abraham's sake. And Isaac dug 92 00:06:21,480 --> 00:06:25,640 Speaker 1: wells as a monument to God's faithfulness. During this time, 93 00:06:25,960 --> 00:06:29,680 Speaker 1: Esau had married a Hittite woman named Judith. The two 94 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:34,240 Speaker 1: of them made Rebecca and Jacob's life miserable and openly 95 00:06:34,320 --> 00:06:39,440 Speaker 1: mocked them. Both Isaac grew old and his eyes began 96 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:42,359 Speaker 1: to fade. He could no longer open his eyes to 97 00:06:42,440 --> 00:06:46,200 Speaker 1: see the fruit of his labor or the ones he loved. Isaac, 98 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:49,320 Speaker 1: knowing that his time was drawing near, called to his 99 00:06:49,440 --> 00:06:54,960 Speaker 1: oldest son, Esau, My son, He said, here, I am, 100 00:06:55,279 --> 00:06:59,640 Speaker 1: Esau replied, go into the countryside with your bow and 101 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:03,520 Speaker 1: me an animal. Prepare me a meal, and you and 102 00:07:03,560 --> 00:07:07,680 Speaker 1: I will sit together to eat. Afterwards, I will bless 103 00:07:07,720 --> 00:07:12,840 Speaker 1: you before I depart. Esau left immediately to hunt for 104 00:07:12,920 --> 00:07:17,840 Speaker 1: his father, anticipating the blessing that would come afterwards. Rebecca 105 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:22,120 Speaker 1: overheard Isaac and Esau and immediately grabbed her son, Jacob. 106 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:26,240 Speaker 1: Rebecca told Jacob what Isaac was planning on doing, and 107 00:07:26,320 --> 00:07:30,440 Speaker 1: together they devised a plan to steal away Esau's blessing. 108 00:07:31,480 --> 00:07:35,120 Speaker 1: Jacob killed a goat and made his father a delicious stew. 109 00:07:35,920 --> 00:07:40,680 Speaker 1: Rebecca then dressed Jacob and Esau's clothes. Since Esau was 110 00:07:40,720 --> 00:07:44,720 Speaker 1: a hairy man, Jacob covered himself and goat fir with 111 00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:49,720 Speaker 1: Esau's clothes, fur and stew. Jacob entered into his father's tent, 112 00:07:50,120 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 1: determined to come out with a blessing. Slowly entering into 113 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:58,640 Speaker 1: the tent. Jacob lowered his voice and spoke, here, I 114 00:07:58,680 --> 00:08:05,120 Speaker 1: am father. Isaac blind looked towards Jacob and said, who 115 00:08:05,240 --> 00:08:09,600 Speaker 1: is here. It is Esaw, your first born. I have 116 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:13,440 Speaker 1: done what you asked. Please get up and eat so 117 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:18,880 Speaker 1: that you may bless me. Isaac, perplexed, inquired how Esau 118 00:08:19,080 --> 00:08:22,600 Speaker 1: was able to kill the animal so quickly. The Lord 119 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:27,680 Speaker 1: guided my hand and gave me success. Jacob lied, come 120 00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:30,240 Speaker 1: here so I can touch you, son. I must know 121 00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:34,320 Speaker 1: if you are truly Esau. Jacob drew near to Isaac 122 00:08:34,480 --> 00:08:37,959 Speaker 1: and allowed him to feel his arms and clothes. The 123 00:08:37,960 --> 00:08:42,320 Speaker 1: trick had worked. Isaac was convinced he was speaking to Esau. 124 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:47,080 Speaker 1: The two ate together, and Isaac placed his hands on 125 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:51,600 Speaker 1: Jacob with love and excitement. Isaac spoke over Jacob with 126 00:08:51,640 --> 00:08:55,920 Speaker 1: the same adoration he would have given Esau. The tender 127 00:08:55,960 --> 00:09:00,559 Speaker 1: and intimate moment between father and first born son stolen 128 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:05,560 Speaker 1: by Jacob. Isaac spoke his blessing over Jacob, reciting a 129 00:09:05,600 --> 00:09:09,400 Speaker 1: type of ancient poetry, one that would echo throughout all 130 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:13,440 Speaker 1: of Jacob's life. See the smell of my son is 131 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:16,080 Speaker 1: as the smell of a field that the God has blessed. 132 00:09:16,640 --> 00:09:19,280 Speaker 1: May God give you of the dew of heaven, the 133 00:09:19,400 --> 00:09:22,520 Speaker 1: sustenance of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine. 134 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:26,800 Speaker 1: Let all people serve you, and nations bow down to you. 135 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:30,880 Speaker 1: Be king over your brothers, and may they bow down 136 00:09:30,960 --> 00:09:35,960 Speaker 1: to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed 137 00:09:36,040 --> 00:09:40,760 Speaker 1: be every one who blesses you. As Isaac was finishing 138 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:45,440 Speaker 1: his blessing over Jacob, Esau returned from his hunt. Esaw 139 00:09:45,559 --> 00:09:49,280 Speaker 1: tirelessly worked as he skinned the deer, butchered it and 140 00:09:49,400 --> 00:09:53,560 Speaker 1: prepared his father's favorite meal. Blessing was in reach, and 141 00:09:53,640 --> 00:09:57,040 Speaker 1: he hurried to his father's tent with a meal. Jacob 142 00:09:57,120 --> 00:10:01,960 Speaker 1: had left Isaac's side, and Esau approached him. Father, I 143 00:10:02,040 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 1: have come back from my hunt. Here, take and eat 144 00:10:05,120 --> 00:10:08,960 Speaker 1: so that you may bless me. Who are you, he 145 00:10:09,040 --> 00:10:13,400 Speaker 1: answered crossly, I am your firstborn son, Esau, I have 146 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:17,480 Speaker 1: come back from my hunt. Isaac trembled and became violent. 147 00:10:17,960 --> 00:10:21,440 Speaker 1: In a rage. Isaac raised his voice, saying, who was 148 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:24,640 Speaker 1: it then that brought me food? I have blessed him 149 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:28,800 Speaker 1: and he will be blessed. As soon as Esau heard this, 150 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:33,880 Speaker 1: he bellowed a deep and bitter cry. Sorrow, rage and 151 00:10:34,040 --> 00:10:37,840 Speaker 1: anguish welled up in Esau's heart. His brother had tricked 152 00:10:37,880 --> 00:10:40,600 Speaker 1: him into giving up his birthright, and now he had 153 00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:46,719 Speaker 1: stolen what mattered most, his father's blessing. Frantically and with 154 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:52,319 Speaker 1: tears filling his eyes, Esaw begged his father bless me also, 155 00:10:52,480 --> 00:10:55,480 Speaker 1: my father, have you not reserved any blessing for me? 156 00:10:56,480 --> 00:11:01,040 Speaker 1: Please do not leave me here alone. Izac was enraged 157 00:11:01,040 --> 00:11:05,480 Speaker 1: at Jacob, yet could not recant his blessing over him. 158 00:11:05,600 --> 00:11:09,680 Speaker 1: I have made him lord over you, Isaac said, I 159 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:12,720 Speaker 1: have blessed him as an inheritor of all God has 160 00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:19,319 Speaker 1: given me, and you will serve under him. Esa wept bitterly. 161 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:23,000 Speaker 1: His face fell into his hands as he managed to ask, 162 00:11:23,679 --> 00:11:27,720 Speaker 1: is there any blessing you can give me? Anything at all? 163 00:11:29,360 --> 00:11:33,640 Speaker 1: Isaac spoke again in ancient poetry. Welling up with sadness 164 00:11:33,800 --> 00:11:38,640 Speaker 1: for his son, he spoke saying, behold, away from the 165 00:11:38,720 --> 00:11:42,120 Speaker 1: richness of the earth you shall dwell, and away from 166 00:11:42,120 --> 00:11:45,199 Speaker 1: the dew of heaven on high you shall live by 167 00:11:45,200 --> 00:11:49,200 Speaker 1: your sword, and you shall serve your brother. But when 168 00:11:49,200 --> 00:11:52,840 Speaker 1: you grow restless, you shall break his yoke from your neck. 169 00:11:54,679 --> 00:11:57,800 Speaker 1: A dark part of Esau's heart was awakened that day. 170 00:11:58,520 --> 00:12:01,880 Speaker 1: Thousands of generations had passed since Cain had killed his 171 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:05,840 Speaker 1: brother Abel, Yet that same hatred lingered, seeking whom it 172 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:09,760 Speaker 1: may take hold of. When Isaac had breathed his last 173 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:13,760 Speaker 1: and went to be with his father Abraham, he saw 174 00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:17,760 Speaker 1: side a deep breath and said, the days of mourning 175 00:12:17,840 --> 00:12:22,640 Speaker 1: my father are approaching. After I mourn, I will kill 176 00:12:22,800 --> 00:12:28,080 Speaker 1: my brother Jacob. Esau spoke these words to himself, Yet 177 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:31,360 Speaker 1: they caught the ear of his mother, Rebecca. She sent 178 00:12:31,440 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 1: for Jacob and said to him, your brother plans to 179 00:12:34,440 --> 00:12:37,640 Speaker 1: kill you after he has mourned your father. Gather your 180 00:12:37,679 --> 00:12:40,640 Speaker 1: things and flee to my brother Laban. He will take 181 00:12:40,679 --> 00:12:44,000 Speaker 1: care of you until your brother's fear he subsides. So 182 00:12:44,200 --> 00:12:46,920 Speaker 1: Jacob fled in the dead of night and waited there 183 00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:50,800 Speaker 1: until his brother's anger dimmed and he could return to 184 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:57,720 Speaker 1: claim what was now rightfully his. As we begin today's passage, 185 00:12:57,720 --> 00:13:01,080 Speaker 1: there is a famine sweeping across the lamp. Isaac and 186 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:03,840 Speaker 1: his family are unable to stay where they are, and 187 00:13:03,920 --> 00:13:06,559 Speaker 1: the Lord speaks to Isaac to tell him where not 188 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:09,600 Speaker 1: to go and where he should settle. This was not 189 00:13:09,640 --> 00:13:12,760 Speaker 1: a case of Isaac fleeing and fear and not trusting God. 190 00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:16,640 Speaker 1: He was following God's direction and taking his family to 191 00:13:16,720 --> 00:13:20,600 Speaker 1: a better place for a season. Sadly, his trust only 192 00:13:20,640 --> 00:13:23,800 Speaker 1: went so far, because, just like his father Abraham, on 193 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:27,800 Speaker 1: two separate occasions, Isaac feared for his life in a 194 00:13:27,880 --> 00:13:30,680 Speaker 1: land of pagans, and he told people that Rebecca was 195 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:35,200 Speaker 1: his sister, rather than being the leader and protector she needed. 196 00:13:35,600 --> 00:13:38,480 Speaker 1: Isaac thought of his own safety more highly than that 197 00:13:38,600 --> 00:13:41,920 Speaker 1: of his wife, and, just like his father, his lives 198 00:13:41,960 --> 00:13:45,040 Speaker 1: found out by the king, Isaac discovers that he has 199 00:13:45,160 --> 00:13:49,200 Speaker 1: underestimated the righteousness of those around him, but worse, he 200 00:13:49,400 --> 00:13:54,400 Speaker 1: failed to trust God. Nevertheless, God blesses Isaac and his 201 00:13:54,480 --> 00:13:58,319 Speaker 1: planting efforts, and Isaac bears much fruit from this land. 202 00:13:59,280 --> 00:14:02,800 Speaker 1: Eventually does not sit well with the locals, who become 203 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:06,400 Speaker 1: envious of him. Soon, Isaac and his family are forced 204 00:14:06,440 --> 00:14:10,720 Speaker 1: to leave and wander, meeting opposition and conflict at every turn. 205 00:14:11,559 --> 00:14:14,880 Speaker 1: But once again we see God remaining faithful to his promise. 206 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:18,880 Speaker 1: He protects and blesses Isaac and his family and provides 207 00:14:18,960 --> 00:14:22,600 Speaker 1: for them. Isaac, following the good example of his father, 208 00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:27,840 Speaker 1: this time, digs wells as a form of remembering God's faithfulness. 209 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:31,680 Speaker 1: There is a great importance in setting up ways of 210 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:35,760 Speaker 1: remembering what God has done. You may not build an altar, 211 00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:38,480 Speaker 1: or dig a well, or erect a monument, but you 212 00:14:38,520 --> 00:14:41,920 Speaker 1: can still do things that help you remember what God 213 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:45,400 Speaker 1: has done in your life and your family. The next 214 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:47,640 Speaker 1: thing we find in our story is Esau, who has 215 00:14:47,680 --> 00:14:52,080 Speaker 1: grown bitter, likely as a result of giving up his birthright. 216 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:55,160 Speaker 1: He is married, and he and his wife show utter 217 00:14:55,200 --> 00:14:58,600 Speaker 1: contempt for his parents, and yet even as he grows 218 00:14:58,640 --> 00:15:02,560 Speaker 1: old and blind, Isaac continues to choose Esau as his favorite. 219 00:15:02,920 --> 00:15:05,240 Speaker 1: It is to him that Isaac intends to give his 220 00:15:05,360 --> 00:15:11,400 Speaker 1: paternal blessing, but Jacob wants that blessing. It's worth noting 221 00:15:11,440 --> 00:15:14,360 Speaker 1: that Jacob wasn't wrong to want the blessing. He was 222 00:15:14,360 --> 00:15:18,800 Speaker 1: seeking God and his favor. The intention, the desire itself 223 00:15:18,920 --> 00:15:20,760 Speaker 1: was not wrong. In fact, it was a good thing 224 00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:24,880 Speaker 1: to want the blessing of God. The problem was how 225 00:15:24,920 --> 00:15:28,920 Speaker 1: he went about getting it. Jacob, prompted by his mother Rebecca, 226 00:15:29,040 --> 00:15:32,320 Speaker 1: schemes with her to take this blessing away from his brother. 227 00:15:33,120 --> 00:15:37,640 Speaker 1: They take advantage of Isaac's frailty and inattention and trick 228 00:15:37,760 --> 00:15:41,120 Speaker 1: him into thinking Jacob is his older brother. This was 229 00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:45,160 Speaker 1: no simple deception. They went to great links to ensure 230 00:15:45,160 --> 00:15:48,080 Speaker 1: it was Jacob and not Esau who would get the blessing. 231 00:15:48,920 --> 00:15:51,200 Speaker 1: So while Esau is out hunting to make a meal 232 00:15:51,240 --> 00:15:54,160 Speaker 1: for his old and dying father, we see here in 233 00:15:54,200 --> 00:15:58,080 Speaker 1: this passage a total severing of the family bond. The 234 00:15:58,200 --> 00:16:03,520 Speaker 1: deceit and bitterness and jealousy and rivalry has reached maturity. 235 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:06,920 Speaker 1: Esau is consumed with anger and hatred towards his brother 236 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:09,480 Speaker 1: and vows to kill him, and echo of the first 237 00:16:09,480 --> 00:16:13,680 Speaker 1: two brothers in history came and able. Jacob, despite having 238 00:16:13,720 --> 00:16:16,440 Speaker 1: received the blessing, is terrified and forced to run away 239 00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:19,240 Speaker 1: to Rebecca's family, where he will live for many years. 240 00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:22,640 Speaker 1: There's so much to be learned in this story. Once 241 00:16:22,680 --> 00:16:27,400 Speaker 1: again we see the destructiveness of favoritism, but there's something 242 00:16:27,440 --> 00:16:30,680 Speaker 1: even deeper. Rather than getting his house in order, as 243 00:16:30,800 --> 00:16:34,200 Speaker 1: his life near to an end, Isaac was interested only 244 00:16:34,280 --> 00:16:37,720 Speaker 1: in filling his stomach. Listen to the words of Genesis 245 00:16:37,760 --> 00:16:43,040 Speaker 1: twenty seven, two three and four. Isaac said, behold, now 246 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:45,200 Speaker 1: I am old, and I do not know the day 247 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:48,640 Speaker 1: of my death. Now then please take your gear, your quiver, 248 00:16:48,720 --> 00:16:50,520 Speaker 1: and your bow, and go out to the field and 249 00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:53,840 Speaker 1: hunt game for me, and prepare a savory dish for me, 250 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:56,560 Speaker 1: such as I love, and bring it to me that 251 00:16:56,680 --> 00:16:59,160 Speaker 1: I may eat, so that my soul may bless you 252 00:16:59,200 --> 00:17:03,040 Speaker 1: before I die. Isaac, knowing that he would soon die, 253 00:17:03,120 --> 00:17:05,639 Speaker 1: could have brought his sons together along with his wife 254 00:17:05,640 --> 00:17:09,119 Speaker 1: and charged them with maintaining unity and love and continuing 255 00:17:09,160 --> 00:17:13,960 Speaker 1: trust in God. Instead, all he wanted was dinner. It 256 00:17:13,960 --> 00:17:17,680 Speaker 1: would take years for this family conflict to resolve, and 257 00:17:17,720 --> 00:17:22,240 Speaker 1: by then so much had been lost. While Abraham was 258 00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:25,560 Speaker 1: a shining example of how to carefully order one's last 259 00:17:25,640 --> 00:17:29,680 Speaker 1: days to ensure a legacy that honors God, Isaac's life 260 00:17:29,680 --> 00:17:32,720 Speaker 1: shines as a light on the danger of selfishness and 261 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:37,320 Speaker 1: self indulgence. May we seek to be more like Abraham 262 00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:41,960 Speaker 1: and less like Isaac in our old age. Dear Heavenly Father, 263 00:17:42,080 --> 00:17:44,239 Speaker 1: thank you for this story and how you continue to 264 00:17:44,240 --> 00:17:47,560 Speaker 1: show yourself faithful and true to Isaac even as he 265 00:17:47,640 --> 00:17:51,240 Speaker 1: stumbled and failed to trust in you. Thank you also 266 00:17:51,359 --> 00:17:56,360 Speaker 1: for the valuable lesson about family and the warnings about dishonesty, favoritism, 267 00:17:56,440 --> 00:18:00,119 Speaker 1: and being passive in our leadership with our children. Help 268 00:18:00,240 --> 00:18:04,040 Speaker 1: us to honor you with our families. In Jesus name, Amen, 269 00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:07,919 Speaker 1: thank you for listening to Today's Bible in a Year podcast. 270 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:12,240 Speaker 1: I'm Pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download the Prey 271 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:15,720 Speaker 1: dot com app and make a priority in your life. 272 00:18:16,119 --> 00:18:18,760 Speaker 1: If you enjoyed this podcast, share it with someone you know, 273 00:18:18,960 --> 00:18:22,560 Speaker 1: someone you love, because by sharing this podcast, you can 274 00:18:22,640 --> 00:18:25,520 Speaker 1: make a big difference in someone's life. And if you 275 00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:29,000 Speaker 1: want more resources as to how to live the Christian life, 276 00:18:29,040 --> 00:18:32,280 Speaker 1: how to know God and experience His presence in your life, 277 00:18:32,600 --> 00:18:36,280 Speaker 1: be sure to visit Jack Graham dot org. God Bless you. 278 00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:45,120 Speaker 1: This episode is sponsored by Meta Share, an innovative healthcare 279 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:49,320 Speaker 1: solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality.