Saturday, July 8, 2023
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Esau and Jacob
This story seems likely to destroy God’s reputation.
In Isaac’s old age his eyesight failed him. He planned to bless his older son Esau, but his wife Rebekah gave the clothes of Esau to her younger son Jacob to wear. With the skins of the kids she covered up his hands and hairless parts of his neck. Then she handed Jacob the appetizing dish she had prepared to give to his father Isaac.
Esau is long gone, hunting for the game his father told him to kill. And the story at home gets uglier.
Which of my sons are you? Jacob answered his father, “I am Esau, your first-born.”
How did you get back so quickly, my son? “The Lord, your God let things turn out well for me.”
Two lies to start the deception.
Isaac felt Jacob’s arms and said, The voice is Jacob’s but the hand are Esau’s. Are you really my son Esau?
“Certainly,” Jacob replied.
But Isaac still was not convinced.
Come closer son, and kiss me. Jacob smelled the fragrance of his clothes. Ah, the fragrance of my son is like the fragrance of a field that the Lord has blessed.
Esau had not yet returned, though he would be getting home soon. Too late.
Isaac blessed Jacob. May God give to you of the dew of the heavens and of the fertility of the earth abundance of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you and nations pay you homage. Be master of your brothers (!), and may your mother’s sons bow down to you (!!!).
Is there nothing left for Esau? Seems not. Jacob is about to get away with the whole keboodle.
Cursed be those who curse you, and blessed be those who bless you.
And this is God’s plan? Breaking every rule?
On the other hand, Esau sold his birthright to his younger brother for a bowl of soup. He was so hungry he would die, and well, he did die sort of, and this second loss is maybe more just desserts.
But Isaac was stunned and disappointed. Esau returns with his offering. Like Cain, he was ready to give his firstfruits to his father. But Abel got there before him.
Isaac trembled violently and said, “I ate the hunted game just before you got here, and I blessed him who brought it – and indeed he will be blessed!”
Esau, broken-hearted, cries out in all the voices of all those who seek God and do not find.
Oh, bless me – me too, my Father!
Isaac was angry at Jacob. He loved both his sons. But Esau had sold his birthright. Now Esau would have to find his own way.
Your dwelling shall be away from the earth’s richness, away from the dew of heaven above. You will live by the sword and you serve your brother.
Isaac had one promise to give Esau, although it meant war.
When you grow restless, you will throw his yoke from off your neck.
Oh, yeah, Esau was already restless. His ability to accept, surrender, offer himself unto death and thereby receive the rebirth that came from Yahweh, well, that ability was minimal.
“Dad will die soon, and then I will kill my brother.”
Rebekah was not about to let this happen, so she sent Jacob to live with her brother Laban. And so the story goes. In due time Jacob will be renamed Israel. Like a handwoven quilt, we begin to see the finished product. But on the other side the sewing looks helter-skelter and we cannot follow even a single thread.
Perhaps I wonder about God’s reputation because he does not intervene out loud in this story. Isaac his chosen one is left with Rebekah and their sons to find their way alone. How much of this was your doing, Lord? All of it? None of it?
Theology (the study of God) requires that we ask the questions. And our humility as created ones, just like the family of Isaac, Rebekah, Esau and Jacob, requires that we stave off with swords and plowshares any absolute answers. God shows us the front of the quilt when He is ready.
Praise the Lord, for he is good; sing praise to his name, which we love. For the Lord has chosen Jacob for himself, and Israel for his own possession.
 (Genesis 27, Psalm 135, John 10, Matthew 9)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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