It’s great to be together on this Tuesday! I’m glad to be with you in the Pastor’s Workshop.
As noted yesterday, this Sunday we’ll be celebrating Father’s Day. As part of our worship we’ll give God thanks for those significant men in our lives, our fathers, grandfathers, uncles, teachers, coaches, mentors, and friends who helped shape us by living and witnessing the love of our Heavenly Father to us.
The Scripture we’ll be using is Genesis 27:1-10, 30-38. The focus verse is 27:38, “Esau said to his father, “Have you only one blessing, father? Bless me, me also, father!” At issue is our need for a “blessing”.
On Tuesdays we look at the structure of the Scripture. What’s the plot of the story? What’s at stake in the story? How does this story narrate the struggle over “the blessing”?
One of the amazing things about the Old Testament, as it documents the lives of our ancestors in the faith it doesn’t hide any flaws. Our forefathers and foremothers are pictured as far from perfect.
Isaac is feeble and blind. His lack of sight is not only physical affliction, it’s a relationship impairment. He’s oblivious to what’s happening in his family. He has his favorite son, the eldest, Esau. He plans to follow tradition and give him the blessing.
And then there’s his wife, Rebekah. She snoops on conversations and connives to get her own way. She also has a favorite son, the second son, Jacob. She plots so Jacob will receive the blessing.
There’s Esau. He’s pictured as an outdoors kind of guy, who’s rugged and loves to hunt and fish. He’s also portrayed as not the “brightest bulb in the box”. He traded off his birthright for a bowl of porridge. Now he’s about to be duped out of his blessing.
Finally, there’s Jacob. He’s pictured as a “momma’s boy”. Jacob in Hebrew means “grabby”. He conspires with his mom to deceive his father and steal the blessing. Even as a “con” he manages to come out on top.
It’s a quite the cast of characters! Modern day melodramas have nothing on the Bible.
What’s also incredible as you think through this story --- God is at work in this family. They are the purveyors of God’s covenant. God’s love “functions” even in the midst of our human dysfunction. That’s an incredible blessing right there!
And another great thought from this text, we don’t have to snoop and connive, scheme and plot how we are going to “get the blessing”. God as our Heavenly Father is not blind to our need nor limited in the bounty of blessings. We don’t need to “beg” for a blessing. As Jesus says, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him”. Matthew 7:11
As part of your devotion today I invite you to read and re-read Genesis 27:1-40. This will give you the “bigger picture”. Put yourself in the different character’s shoes. Is there one you identify with more than the others? Is there one who irritates you more than the others? Make note of your reactions to the characters. Your inner feelings tell you about them and about yourself. As your making your notes and thinking on this particular story, what does this story tell you about the “greater story” of God’s grace? Jot down your thoughts.
As we read through this story, it’s amazing (amazing grace) how God brings forward God’s blessings to Isaac, Rebekah, Esau and Jacob, and to you and me. Trusting in that amazing grace, I look forward to our continued time in God’s word in the Pastor’s Workshop.
Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for this story from the Scriptures which tells us the story of our lives with You. Let this Scripture remind us that despite our human flaws Your grace is sufficient. Help us to know that in Your goodness as our Heavenly Father, You “pour out” blessings of love and mercy. Let us know by Your Spirit that our mission is to pass on these blessings in Christ’s name. We praise you for this privilege of participating in Your blessing of our loved ones and our world through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen