Esau, hearing his father’s words, sobbed violently and most bitterly, and cried to his father, “My father! Can’t you also bless me? Genesis 27:34 (MSG)
Bless Me – Jacob Series – Part 3
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7
Jacob, with the prompting and help of his mother, deceived his father into believing that he was Esau. Thus, blind and on his deathbed, Isaac (his father) bestowed Esau’s first-born-son-blessing upon Jacob.
Jacob had an identity problem. He wasn’t content with being the second born son. He went to great lengths to secure the inheritance and blessing that rightfully belonged to his older-by-a-few-seconds brother. In Ancient Hebrew tradition, once a blessing was given it could be not revoked. When Jacob's deceit was discovered by Isaac, and his brother Esau, the rift within the family, that was already as wide as an ocean, raggedly ripped further apart.
Jacob had his blessing, he now lived within the rights of a firstborn son, which meant wealth and tribal stature. Esau would be his servant. Yes, Jacob gained much from his deception, but he lost more. Even Esau, who through his own casual relationship to what was sacred (he gave up his birthright for a bowl of soup…), had his own identity crises to contend with. The future he thought he had, was gone.
“Esau, hearing his father’s words, sobbed violently and most bitterly, and cried to his father, “My father! Can’t you also bless me?”
“Your brother,” he said, “came here falsely and took your blessing.”
Esau said, “Not for nothing was he named Jacob, the Heel. Twice now he’s tricked me: first, he took my birthright and now he’s taken my blessing.” He begged, “Haven’t you kept back any blessing for me?”
Isaac answered Esau, “I’ve made him your master, and all his brothers his servants, and lavished grain and wine on him. I’ve given it all away. What’s left for you, my son?”
“But don’t you have just one blessing for me, Father? Oh, bless me my father! Bless me!” Esau sobbed inconsolably.” Gen 27:34-38 (MSG).
A family torn in two. Could there be redemption for such a divide?
Esau vowed that after he had mourned his father's death, he would hunt Jacob down, kill him and take back what was rightfully his. Learning of his brother's vow, Jacob ran. His mother had convinced him to go and live with their distant relatives.
What a mess. Jacob left his family owning something that was not his, holding what he thought he always wanted, but on the run, alone, hated and in fear of being hunted.
Can you imagine that? Think of all that would have been stirring within Jacob as he left, as he walked through the wilderness alone with his thoughts and memories, his questions and hopes. I can relate to that kind of identity crisis.
Perhaps these thoughts filled his mind: Who am I? Jacob, or Esau? Blessed or cursed? What hope is there for me? And to what end will I live my life?
(Sound familiar?)
Until he came upon a place to rest, where, as he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep, it seemed that all of heaven opened before him, and he was in the presence of the Divine…
A presence where he would begin to face his true self.
“Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.” Brennan Manning.
Over to you! Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Go to Part 4 – In The Middle »
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