The story of Jacob and Esau is a vivid reminder that even families of faith can be deeply flawed. Their household was marked by favoritism, deception, and broken trust—Isaac favored Esau, Rebecca favored Jacob, and both sons acted out of self-interest and fear. The dysfunction in their family was not just about sibling rivalry or parental bias, but a deeper issue of trust—especially trust in God’s promises. Rebecca, despite having received a direct word from God that the older would serve the younger, chose to take matters into her own hands, orchestrating a scheme to secure the blessing for Jacob. This reveals a common temptation: to pursue good or even godly things through ungodly means, rather than trusting God to fulfill His word in His way.
It’s easy to present a polished exterior to the world, to make our lives and families look perfect from a distance, much like a movie prop that looks impressive until you see it up close. But the reality is that all of us are flawed, and sometimes we even believe our own illusions of togetherness. The real issue, however, is not just the messiness of our lives, but the ways we try to control outcomes, justify our actions, or seek God’s favor through our own efforts. We may pursue good things—self-worth, generosity, success, happiness—but often we are tempted to achieve them through means that do not honor God.
Yet, the story does not end with human failure. The remarkable truth is that God’s purposes are not thwarted by our flaws. In fact, God’s promise to bless the younger son is fulfilled even through the family’s deception. This is not an endorsement of their actions, but a testament to God’s sovereignty and grace. Paul, writing in Romans and Galatians, points out that God’s plan was in place before Jacob or Esau had done anything good or bad. The true treasure at the heart of this story is the blessing given to Abraham—a blessing that ultimately points to Jesus, through whom all nations are blessed.
Jesus is the only way flawed people can find favor with God. Faith is not just intellectual assent or religious affiliation; it is active trust—entrusting ourselves to the God who is trustworthy, even when we are not. The journey of C.S. Lewis, who moved from reluctant belief in God to active faith in Christ, illustrates that it is not enough to simply believe that God exists. We are invited to move beyond surface-level faith to a living, trusting relationship with Jesus, the true treasure who makes us children of God.
Genesis 27:1-29 — (The story of Isaac blessing Jacob through Rebecca and Jacob’s deception.)
Romans 9:10-13 — “And not only so, but also when Rebecca had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ As it is written, ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’” (ESV)
Galatians 3:26-29 — “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” (ESV)
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