01-74 Tales of a Dysfunctional Family--Part 2
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Genesis 27:18-29
Genesis 27:18-29
I think last week’s sermon must have struck a chord with some of you (or maybe a nerve)—as we began to study the account of Jacob stealing the blessing of Isaac that was intended for Esau. We looked at the deception/the shenanigans of Rebekah who participated in the ordeal to make sure that her favorite son (Jacob) receives the blessing instead of Esau. There’s an obvious dysfunction in this family and each member makes their own contribution.
There is a question in many people’s minds as to Rebekah’s part in the stolen blessing. Some early Xn commentators view her in favorable light believing that she is pursuing God’s choice and God’s will when she plays the part of deceiving her husband. “Praiseworthy” is how many view Rebekah’s behavior here—believing that the end justifies the means— “as long as God’s will is accomplished.”
As it was mentioned by several people after the service last week—another account where a lie is told which results in God’s purposes being fulfilled— “What about Rahab?” That question merits a brief look at that account b/c it covers the same issue in its application to our hearts. Is it permissible to use less than upright tactics as long as we’re pursuing the things God’s says He wants? How should we conduct ourselves and do God’s business when it comes to our personal life, our home life, our church life, in endeavors to win men for Christ, in missionary enterprise, in social improvement, and in everything connected with the welfare of humanity—should Rebekah’s scheme be something we ought to apply to these situations--if God’s purpose is accomplished?
Let me read what Heb says about this woman:
31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.
Rahab (the only other woman mentioned in Heb 11—Sarah) is introduced in Josh 2. Joshua sent 2 spies into Jericho and they make their way to the house of “a harlot named Rahab” (Josh 2:1). This woman is introduced as an unsavory character, living an immoral life in the midst of an exceedingly pagan culture. From the human perspective—this woman has no redeeming qualities and Jericho is on the brink of destruction.
This city was under the dominion of the Amorite kingdom (descendants of Canaan). They were wicked, violent, depraved, thoroughly pagan culture that was against everything God stood for. God condemned the Amorites, ordering their complete destruction (wipe them off the face of the earth):
17 “But you shall utterly destroy them, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, as the Lord your God has commanded you,
Rahab’s life is the perfect illustration of the corruption of the Amorites. Her whole life is devoted to satisfying the debauchery of that evil nation and profiting from it. Scholars have attempted to temper Rahab saying she was “the inn keeper, or hostess.” The problem with that is Heb calls her a harlot in the Gk—porne (describes a prostitute who engages in sexual immorality of every kind).
Scripture simply refers to her as Rahab the harlot. God in His sovereign providence directs the spies to her house.
Josh 2:1-7;
The spies weren’t as covert as they intended. Someone saw them enter the city and reported to the king who immediately sent out a search party. They also were seen entering Rahab’s house. As they were on their reconnaissance mission, they would have looked to stay in a part of the city where they would remain anonymous. Rahab’s house sat on top of the wall which also would have given them the opportunity to assess the city’s defenses.
Rahab’s occupation was perfect for the spies. They needed to remain undercover and the confidentiality of Rahab’s business was ideal. They were not looking to take advantage of her for immoral purposes but for her confidentiality.
Heb tells us she received the spies in peace. That was a major breakthrough for her. James explains how Rahab’s faith was actvie, working—proving the justification (her acceptance by God):
25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
When the search party came to find the spies in her house, she hid them. It was the unexpected act of kindness that reveals her faith. Rahab believed even though her faith is “salted with sin.”
Rahab lies--in fact tells 3 lies right away (probably an indication of how ethically corrupt the city was as well.
I didn’t know where they came from
They left
I don’t know where they are
Should we try to justify her lying? Some say as long as it is for the greater good it is ok to tell a little lie. What does God say?
22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal faithfully are His delight.
16 There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood,
8 “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.
God cannot lie ( Num 23:19; Titus 1:2) and never sanctions a lie from His people. Just like Abraham didn’t have to lie to protect himself, Rahab didn’t have to lie to protect and accomplish the purposes of God. He’s so much greater than that.
The demonstration of her faith is not that she lied…but she welcomed the spies (she let them in her home). And her faith doesn’t stop there:
Josh 2:8-15;
Rahab is promised preservation from the spies if she ties a scarlet cord around her window and stays in the house while the Israelites decimate the city (vs 18). She uses a rope so the spies can escape from the city and return to the camp of Israel. Her faith “receiving the spies in peace” illustrates the magnitude of God’s grace—to save a sinner such as Rahab. What is intriguing to me is that the Heb word “rope/cord” most often is translated “hope” (to look for, to wait with eager expectation). The rope she placed in her window was the sign of hope she had b/c her faith/trust was in the God of Israel.
God’s grace is magnified in this harlot named Rahab. She finds salvation from the destruction of Jericho, even though a foreigner, she is accepted by the people of God and more importantly by God Himself. And the story of God’s grace toward Rahab doesn’t end there—she marries a man named Salmon. They have a son named Boaz (Ruth)—Obed, Jesse, David…Christ. God puts her in the Messianic line—not b/c she lied but b/c she believed.
I bring this up—b/c there are many who think that Rahab’s deception was appropriate. Her lying is never condoned in Scripture and who can say that God’s purpose would only be established thru her lies? God is so much bigger than what we think.
Griffith Thomas wrote: “Righteousness can never be laid aside, even though our object is yet more righteousness. In personal life, in home life, in church life, in endeavors to win men for Christ, in missionary enterprise, in social improvement, and in everything connected with the welfare of humanity we must insist upon absolute righteousness, purity, and truth in our methods, or else we shall bring utter discredit on the cause of our Master and Lord.”
As we progress in sanctification—our tendencies to gravitate toward anything that the Lord despises should weaken/lessen as we are conformed to the image of LJC. We really should follow in His steps (1Jn 2:6). This is what sanctification is...
JC Ryle Holiness
“Sanctification … is the invariable result of that vital union with Christ which true faith gives to a Christian. “He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit” (John 15:5). The branch which bears no fruit is no living branch of the vine. The union with Christ which produces no effect on heart and life is a mere formal union, which is worthless before God. The faith which has not a sanctifying influence on the character is no better than the faith of devils. It is a “dead faith, because it is alone.” It is not the gift of God. It is not the faith of God’s elect. In short, where there is no sanctification of life, there is no real faith in Christ. True faith worketh by love. It constrains a man to live unto the Lord from a deep sense of gratitude for redemption. It makes him feel that he can never do too much for Him that died for him. Being much forgiven, he loves much. He whom the blood cleanses walks in the light. He who has real lively hope in Christ purifieth himself even as He is pure (James 2:17–20; Titus 1:1; Gal. 5:6; 1 John 1:7; 3:3).”
God’s Word condemns falsehood and it calls men and women of the faith to be truthful. We do that by following Christ’s example of perfect truthfulness.
Did Rebekah need to deceive her husband, disguise her favorite son so that he would receive the blessing of his father rather than the older son? From our flesh we would say “yes” but in reality—she did not. God’s purpose, the fulfillment of His promise did not depend on her…never depends on man. That’s b/c He is the sovereign One. Now, He uses our sin & failures—and has designed them to be part of His plan but He will carry out His will—in spite of us.
2 “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
Too many have come to think that God’s business can be handled our way—when in fact it must be done His way! Pursue righteousness, those things that are upright when serving the Lord in every area of your life. Don’t rely on your finite wisdom to accomplish what you think God intends for you to do. In ministry, in church, missions, evangelism…sometimes God opens doors and sometimes He closes them—and even when He does—He always accomplishes His good pleasure.
So, this is my introduction this morning…we’re in Gen 27, an account that many of you have heard time and again—from SS as a child—Jacob steals the blessing. Jacob already has the birthright—that was purchased from Esau with a bowl of stew (so Esau despised the birthright). The birthright had more to do with the possession that were passed down to the next generation but the blessing (a major theme of ch 27) determined what would become of the life of the one who was blessed.
Isaac deeply desired (that my soul may bless you) to bless his oldest and favorite son, Esau. He wanted this even though God revealed to Rebekah--
23 The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger.”
Rebekah heard her husband tell Esau how he wanted to bless him and she concocts a plan to see to it that her favorite son, Jacob, instead gets the blessing. Many have praised her faith, her desire to see God’s purpose be fulfilled. And if that’s all we knew about Rebekah we’d put her alongside the others in Heb 11. The manner she went about seeing God’s purpose unfold was not good. Her part in this dysfunctional family was a destructive scheme—manipulating, controlling what was in her power to turn things how she wanted them.
III. Jacob’s Deceitful Maneuver
III. Jacob’s Deceitful Maneuver
vv 18-29
vs 18— “then he [Jacob] came to his father...”
You have to remember that Isaac is 137 years old. He cannot see very well. Rebekah has disguised Jacob with goatskins on his hands and smooth part of the neck (anticipating that Isaac will want to grab hold of his son).
Isaac responds “who are you my son?” Now, this is not going to be one of Jacob’s shining moments in his life. He has some—but this not one of them.
vs 19: Jacob is a liar. In fact, like Rahab—he tells 3 lies in row. He doesn’t seem to hesitate. He’s not choking up as he lies to his father.
vs 20: Isaac knows it takes his son a while to hunt game, prepare the meal and it came mighty fast. “how is it...”
Jacob’s 2nd lie actually invokes YHWH… “because...” If there is any time a man takes the name of the Lord in vain…it is when you involve Him in your deception. Jacob is dragging the name of God thru the mud here, and—I mean this is of the devil. This is the flesh—to dupe the man God has promised He would bless and enlarge his descendants and give land to them.
Isaac is not so sure…vs 21-22. Isaac has to rely on his other senses b/c his eyesight has failed him. But his other senses are not being dependable here…the voice is Jacob’s.
Of course, parents know the distinctive sound of their children’s voices. Kent Hughes “Tenors have difficulty singing bass!” But his hands felt like Esau’s. vs 23.
Issac is going to take for granted that his children would be truthful to him. Something didn’t sit quite right but Isaac is eager to bless his son before he dies (still 43 years)—but he’s in a hurry. So he blesses disguised Jacob.
vs 24: Lie # 3. So they eat (vs 25).
After the meal—this is what both Isaac and Jacob had been waiting for. Isaac thought it was Esau, Rebekah and Jacob deceived Isaac so it would come to this:
vv 26-29.
Jacob has to come terrifyingly close to his father and kisses him. This kiss for personal gain is superseded in Scripture only by Judas’ betrayal of Jesus for silver with a kiss (Mt 26:48-49). For Isaac, it was another test using his senses—Jacob smelled like Esau.
Now, even though it was given to to the wrong person (in Isaac’s mind) this was an actual blessing and it was truly summoned from the depth of Isaac’s soul. It is very poetic—4 stanzas to the blessing:
First stanza:
See, the smell of my son
is like the smell of a field which the LORD has blessed; (v. 27b)
The disguising garments, smelling of the country, called forth from Isaac the promise of the land, which produces abundantly.
Second stanza:
May God give you the dew of heaven
and of the fatness of the earth
and an abundance of grain and new wine. (v. 28)
Dew is a Hebrew metaphor for God’s goodness in providing abundance and invigoration. Dew has always provided the main source of water during the rainless summer months when the water-laden air of the Mediterranean is condensed by the cool night temperatures to a life-giving mist (Sarna Nahum) “Dew,” “fatness,” and “abundance” are 3 parts of an invocation of refreshment and prosperity upon his son.
Third stanza:
May peoples serve you,
and nations bow down to you.
Be master of your brothers,
and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. (v. 29a)
“Isaac’s fierce pride in Esau demanded an empire for him” (Kidner). Isaac thought he was blessing Esau and as it turns he was rejecting God’s word to Rebekah that “the older shall serve the younger” (25:23b). Isaac blessed pseudo-Esau (Jacob) with universal dominion—all nations bow. Isaac blessed Jacob with political supremacy and domestic preeminence.
Fourth stanza:
Cursed be those who curse you,
and blessed be those who bless you! (v. 29b)
Sound familiar? This final blessing reiterated God’s words to Abraham invoking divine protection (cf. 12:2, 3).
In a bit of irony, the blessing that Jacob stole said that he would be master over his brothers and that his mother’s sons would bow before him. But before Esau called him his lord—Jacob would call him “lord” (32:18; 33:8). Before Esau would bow before Jacob, Jacob bowed low before Esau (33:3).
The path of sin is difficult. The pleasure of sin is never worth the price paid for it. In the end, God’s plan, purpose, program is established—but at what cost? God’s purpose is always established so its best to do those things that bring honor to Him in the process.
Now, I’m going to close with just a couple of very practical admonitions—and we’re not finished with this dysfunctional family. After the Praise Service next week we’re coming back to see Esau’s part and I think there’s a strong lesson for us in Esau.
Be careful of doing evil that good may come. This is such a temptation of the flesh to see something happen that we’re passionate about—even if we believe it’s part of God’s purpose. Thankfully, God can take the evil that we do and turn it for good (this is what He did with Jacob & Rebekah)—but it is far better to turn our feet from evil and pursue good.
27 Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.
2. Seek God’s grace to prevent your natural affections overriding love for God and His revealed will. Isaac was a hungry man and the thought of a fresh meal from his son only clouded his reverence for his God and desire to see God’s purposes fulfilled.
1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
3. Remember the unchanging law of sowing and reaping
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
For Rebekah—the result would be that she sends her beloved son away into hiding where Jacob finds refuge in the home of her brother Laban. She would never imagine that he is going to stay there for some 20 years and she will not set eyes on him again on this earth. There are consequences to your actions and to sow to the flesh—there will be a harvest of devastation, corruption.
4. See the beauty of the gospel.
Pink:
Gleanings in Genesis (Isaac Blessing his Sons Genesis 27)
Jacob found acceptance with his father and received his blessing because he sheltered behind the name of the father’’s firstborn, beloved son, and was clothed with his garments which diffused to Isaac an excellent odor. In like manner, we as sinners, find acceptance before God and receive His blessing as we shelter behind the name of His beloved Firstborn, and as we are clothed with the robe of righteousness which we receive from Him thus coming before the Father in the merits of His Son who "hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a fragrant aroma" (Eph. 5:2).
The beauty of the gospel is the JC gave Himself for us...