LastCall: God's Choice -Bob Caldwell

Natural Affection or God’s Choice?   “Then Isaac trembled exceedingly, and said, ‘Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him—and indeed he shall be blessed.’” -Genesis 27:33 Initially it seems rather strange that Isaac would stand behind the blessing he gave to Jacob. With this blessing he basically gave Jacob the entire wealth of the family and, only because of the deception, what Isaac thought he was giving to Esau. It seems Isaac chose not to withdraw his blessing upon Jacob because Isaac knew in his own heart he had been in rebellion to God. God had chosen Jacob, and Isaac seems to have been willing to concede to that. At the heart of this entire issue was the unwillingness of Isaac to submit to the prophetic word given before the birth of Esau and Jacob (25:23). It is clear from this prophecy that God had chosen Jacob, not Esau. Yet Isaac loved Esau, and his natural affection had overridden the clearly declared will of God. Isaac is not alone in this type of response to God’s will. May of us have caused great trouble in the lives of others when we have allowed our natural affections to keep us back from yielding to the will of God, just like in this instance. We may prefer people, places, or lifestyles that really are not God’s perfect will for our lives. May we have the faith and humility to accept God’s choice, God’s path, and God’s will above our own. If we do, we will save those around us and ourselves from many unnecessary and painful troubles.
Genesis 27:30-46  Esau’s Lost Hope 30 Now it happened, as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. 31 He also had made savory food, and brought it to his father, and said to his father, “Let my father arise and eat of his son’s game, that your soul may bless me.” 32 And his father Isaac said to him, “Who are you?” So he said, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.” 33 Then Isaac trembled exceedingly, and said, “Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him—and indeed he shall be blessed.” 34 When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, “Bless me—me also, O my father!” 35 But he said, “Your brother came with deceit and has taken away your blessing.” 36 And Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright, and now look, he has taken away my blessing!” And he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?” 37 Then Isaac answered and said to Esau, “Indeed I have made him your master, and all his brethren I have given to him as servants; with grain and wine I have sustained him. What shall I do now for you, my son?” 38 And Esau said to his father, “Have you only one blessing, my father? Bless me—me also, O my father!” And Esau lifted up his voice and wept.
v. 33 Trembled – The word carries the thought of greatly or violently trembling. Isaac was in shock. He had lived out his life seeking to overrule the word God had given to his wife with regard to Jacob because of his personal favoritism toward Esau. He Shall Be Blessed – Isaac submits to what has happened. He must have felt that even though Jacob used deceit, what Jacob did was to seek what God had said should be his. v. 34 Exceedingly Great and Bitter – This painful let down could have been avoided had Isaac submitted to God’s plan from the beginning. v. 36 Rightly Named Jacob – Esau can see the fulfillment of Jacob’s name, which meant he would be a supplanter, deceiver, and overreacher.
39 Then Isaac his father answered and said to him: “Behold, your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth, And of the dew of heaven from above. 40 By your sword you shall live, And you shall serve your brother; And it shall come to pass, when you become restless, That you shall break his yoke from your neck.” Jacob Escapes from Esau 41 So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” 42 And the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said to him, “Surely your brother Esau comforts himself concerning you by intending to kill you. 43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice: arise, flee to my brother Laban in Haran. 44 And stay with him a few days, until your brother’s fury turns away, 45 until your brother’s anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him; then I will send and bring you from there. Why should I be bereaved also of you both in one day?” 46 And Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth; if Jacob takes a wife of the daughters of Heth, like these who are the daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?”
v. 39 Behold – Isaac pronounces a blessing for Esau that is much less than for Jacob. He hopes, however, that this will calm Esau who has become enraged, bitter, and emotionally broken. Your Dwelling – Esau’s family would become the nation of Edom. The region of Edom had some fertile areas in its eastern part but was never to equal the productivity of Israel. v. 40 Break His Yoke – Isaac prophesies that Esau’s people will live by the sword and seek freedom from the dominance of their neighbor Israel. History records that several times Edom sought to overthrow Israel but was defeated over and over again (1 Sam. 14:47; 2 Sam. 8:14; 2 Kings 14:7; 2 Chron. 15:11, 18:17). Jacob’s Life Threatened (Verses 41-46) v. 42 Comforts Himself – Esau does not want to trouble his father Isaac by seeking to kill Jacob while Isaac is still alive. He is able to manage his desire for revenge by taking solace in looking forward to murdering his brother when the time is right. This is in harmony with what has already been seen of Esau’s character. v. 44 A Few Days – This would end up being close to 20 years. In this we see the sad results of using carnal means to try to promote God’s work. If Rebekah had avoided deceit and manipulation, God would have without doubt worked out His purpose for Jacob in a way that was in harmony with His character, and without so many destructive results. House of God – The word Bethel means House of God and thus the name of the city that would one day be there. v. 46 I Am Weary – Rebekah continues this relationship based on deceit. Rather than tell her husband her fears about Esau killing Jacob, she bases the need for Jacob to leave on a need to search for a non-Canaanite bride.

Michael James Stone

Fair Use Notice

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work herein is archived under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in reviewing the included information for personal use, non-profit research and educational purposes only.

Last Call

‘Your Devotion with Emotion’

This material was brought to you by Broadcast(B.C.)Christianity. Last Call Digest, is a ministry of Michael James Stone, volunteers, and people dedicated to the Love of God and Salvation of Souls. It is an aggragate of Christian Material selected to Bless you and Prepare you for each and every day you read them. May God Bless You as You Do!! Reading these Devotions will help you to prepare daily for life, living, and your Lord. You will hear God Speak To You thru them.  Jesus  is Coming Very Soon.

Last Call Digest

“the simple format”

Broadcast(B.C.)Christianity, operates by you, with you, and for you. “Freely you have received, freely give”  Pass this on, everywhere you can, anytime you can, anyway you can. You will be blessed if you do. mrnetbizness@gmail.com

Last Days of the Last Generation                                                           “Last Generation”

                                      The simple format                                                                                      “the prophecy site just about prophecy”

Broadcast(B.C.)Christianity Journalist

This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner.

The material is being made available in an effort to understand scripture, news, technology and society especially as it relates to God and Jesus. It is specifically for non-profit research and educational purposes only. I believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. This is a completely non-commercial site for private personal use. No fee is charged, and no money is made off of the operation of this site. Nor is any implied reciprocal gratuities implied or construed.

Posted via email from The Last Call Digest