E100-09

 

Jacob and Esau Compete

Genesis 27–28

Kevin's Commentary

You are encouraged to go through steps or process scripture in these steps:

• Pray = in anticipation of what God wants you to discover. Thank God for your family and close friends. Ask God to help you keep those relationships strong and healthy.
• Read = with purpose look for what God is trying to communicate. You may want to read out of several translations and highlight key words.
• Reflect = on the context and put yourself in the shoes of people at that time. How has your family made you the person you are today? What have you learned about making and maintaining good family relationships? What must healthy families avoid?
• God is ... What do we learn about God?
• We are ... What do we learn about people?
• In what ways has your family of origin shaped you, for good or bad?
• Jacob and Esau didn’t have a healthy family of origin. In your opinion, what are the
• characteristics of a healthy family?
• Apply = information without application is fruitless. Decide on some practical steps you can take for fulfill what God wants you to do. Ask yourself, “What can I do to strengthen my family relationships?”. Do at least one such thing today and plan to do at least one more in the next few days.
• Pray = yielding to God to empower you to do what the word convicted you to do. Ask God to bless your family with a growing closeness and harmony. Ask him to let you be a part of that.

For deeper Bible study and more resources go to my Commentary Blog notes.

For other parts of the Essential 100 Scripture Series, click on the link with the topic #E100.

#Blessing

give you my blessing. This blessing is one that transfers the leadership of the clan to the next generation. If the inheritance remained undivided for some time (which was common), the privileged son (usually the firstborn) was designated the administrator of the estate. The administrator had significant control of the estate. His roles included presiding at sacrificial meals celebrated by the family, supervising burials and funerary rites, and serving as guardian-redeemer. Jacob (and Rebekah on his behalf) would desire this because it was also in the administrator’s hands to approve the timing for the division of the inheritance. If Esau were the administrator, he could presumably delay the division indefinitely and thus deprive Jacob of the advantage of the double share of the inheritance. The blessing also served as a proclamation of the destiny of the sons. It was not accorded the same status as a prophecy from God (note Isaac’s use of the first person in v. 37: “I have made him”), but it still was an exercise of authority believed to be binding through the very speaking of the words. This is why Isaac could not take it back even though it became clear that he had been tricked. It was clearly a celebratory occasion since Isaac asks for the preparation of a special meal, but as such it is odd that the whole household was not asked to be present, both as co-celebrants and as witnesses to the legal transaction. It is not hard to imagine, however, that when political issues of favoritism are involved, there is an inclination to be secretive.

POSSIBLE DEVOTIONAL