Trusting God Amidst Family Flaws and Deception

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.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Even families and individuals who are part of God’s story are deeply flawed, marked by favoritism, deception, and broken trust. The Bible does not hide these imperfections, reminding us that God’s people are not chosen for their perfection but for His purposes. This should free us from the pressure to present a perfect image and encourage us to bring our real selves before God. [01:59]
• 2. The root problem in Jacob and Esau’s family was not just their actions, but a lack of trust in God’s promises. Rebecca’s attempt to “help” God fulfill His word by scheming reveals how easily we can fall into the trap of trying to control outcomes, rather than waiting on God. True faith means trusting God’s timing and methods, even when circumstances seem to contradict His promises. [07:45]
• 3. There is a subtle but dangerous temptation to pursue good or even godly things through ungodly means. Whether it’s seeking self-worth by tearing others down, giving for selfish motives, or justifying unethical actions for a “greater good,” we must remember that God never calls us to achieve His purposes through sin. The ends do not justify the means in God’s kingdom. [10:01]
• 4. The triumphant truth is that God works through flawed people. His promises are not dependent on our perfection, and His grace is greater than our failures. This is both humbling and liberating: we cannot earn God’s favor, but we can receive it by faith, knowing that He is able to fulfill His purposes even through our weakness. [17:13]
• 5. Faith is more than belief; it is active trust in a trustworthy God. Like C.S. Lewis, we may move from reluctant belief to wholehearted trust, discovering that it is not enough to acknowledge God’s existence—we must entrust ourselves to Jesus. This is the true treasure: through faith in Christ, flawed people become children of God and heirs of His promise. [21:19]
  ** [21:19]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:00] - The Dysfunction of Jacob and Esau’s Family
• [03:00] - The Facade of Perfection
• [05:08] - Movie Props and Our Own Illusions
• [06:30] - The Deeper Flaw: Troubled Trust
• [07:45] - Trying to Help God Fulfill His Promises
• [08:39] - Pursuing Good Things the Wrong Way
• [10:01] - The Temptation to Seek God’s Favor by Our Own Means
• [10:46] - God’s Purposes Fulfilled Through Flawed People
• [12:41] - The Details of the Deception
• [15:00] - God’s Sovereignty in the Blessing
• [17:13] - The True Treasure: The Blessing of Abraham
• [18:24] - Jesus as the Fulfillment of the Promise
• [21:19] - Faith as Active Trust
• [22:56] - The Story of C.S. Lewis’ Journey to Faith
• [27:35] - From Belief to Trust: The Invitation to True Faith
• [29:10] - Closing and Invitation

Bible Reading

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)

Observation Questions

1. What kinds of dysfunction and brokenness do you notice in Isaac’s family in Genesis 27? How do favoritism and deception show up in the story?
2. According to Romans 9, when did God make His choice about Jacob and Esau, and what does that say about their actions?
3. In Galatians 3, what is the basis for becoming a child of God and an heir of Abraham’s promise?
4. What was Rebecca’s motivation for her actions, and how did Jacob respond to her plan?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the Bible is so honest about the flaws and failures of people like Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Esau? What does this reveal about God’s purposes?
2. The sermon says the root problem in this family was a lack of trust in God’s promises. In what ways did Rebecca and Jacob try to “help” God, and what does this show about their faith?
3. The story shows that God’s promises are fulfilled even through human failure. How does this challenge our ideas about who God can use and how He works?
4. According to the sermon, what is the difference between believing in God and having “active trust” in Him? Why is this distinction important?

Application Questions

1. The sermon compared our lives to movie props—sometimes looking good from a distance but messy up close. Are there areas in your life or family where you feel pressure to look “put together”? How does knowing God works through flawed people change how you approach these areas?
2. Rebecca tried to secure a good thing (God’s blessing) through deception. Can you think of a time when you tried to control an outcome or “help” God instead of waiting on Him? What was the result?
3. The sermon warned about pursuing good or even godly things through ungodly means (like seeking self-worth by tearing others down, or giving for selfish motives). Are there any “good” things in your life that you’re tempted to pursue in the wrong way? What would it look like to trust God’s way instead?
4. God’s grace means His purposes are not stopped by our failures. Is there a past mistake or flaw that makes you feel disqualified from being used by God? How does this story speak to that feeling?
5. The sermon said faith is more than belief—it’s active trust. What is one area of your life where you need to move from just believing in God to actively trusting Him? What would a step of active trust look like for you this week?
6. C.S. Lewis’s story showed a journey from reluctant belief to wholehearted trust in Jesus. Where would you place yourself on that journey right now? What might help you take a next step?
7. The blessing of Abraham is fulfilled in Jesus, and through faith in Him, we become children of God. How does this truth shape your sense of identity and purpose?