Bible Reading Plan | Devotion for the week of October 24, 2021

Weekly reading: Genesis 26-30; Psalm 59-60
Passages referenced: Genesis 25:22-26, 29-34; Genesis 27; Isaiah 55:8-9, 11

Do we see things clearly? It may not be as obvious as it seems. Let’s take Genesis 27, for example.

I am pretty sure most of us could say we have made decisions or formed opinions strongly based on our cultural and social norms. It’s no surprise. They are huge influencers on how we view the world in which we live. The same thing was happening even in the biblical times of Isaac and his family. Though Isaac’s physical sight had failed, it was easy for him to conclude that Esau was the obvious choice to receive his blessing as firstborn. Isaac was following cultural traditions put into place to maintain order and provision for the needs of the family. The firstborn was given the blessing and inheritance with the responsibility to care for his immediate family and his extended family in need. His mindful management of the inheritance would build respect and authority as well. It was cultural, and at first sight, made good sense, but…

As Isaac began to prepare Esau to receive his blessing, something interesting happened. Rebekah, Esau’s mother, summoned Jacob, Esau’s twin brother. Rebekah asked the younger twin to disguise himself as his older brother and trick his father into giving him the birthright blessing. He did, and it worked!

How could God allow this to happen? What was their mother thinking by encouraging such a scandalous trick? Blink your eyes and clear your vision. Let’s look at this situation a little closer.

Rebekah had watched these boys grow up. She knew them. The twins were very different. She knew that Esau was a hunter, violent at times. He was impulsive, wearing his emotions on his sleeve. She had watched him sell his birthright for a bowl of soup to his brother Jacob! (Genesis 25:29-34) In his mother’s eyes, Esau was not setting himself up to be the trusted guardian of a covenant nation.

Jacob, on the other hand, was smart, shrewd, and contemplative. He was patient and displayed self-restraint. Rebekah felt he was better suited to lead the family and eventually a nation. Rebekah loved the Lord and had prayed to God during her pregnancy for her babies. It’s a great little piece of scripture. (Genesis 25:22-26) The Lord gave Rebekah a word concerning her sons in Genesis 25:23. There was no question in her mind that Jacob was to receive the blessing.

Isaac was not only physically blind, but he was psychologically blind to the character of his sons. Isaac was doing the right thing by cultural standards and expectations. Rebekah was doing right in God’s eyes.

This story is a great lesson and example that God’s ways are higher than ours.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts… so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:8-9, 11

Is that not amazing? Let’s remind ourselves to have the right perspective when we look at our lives, families, circles of influence, and all the decisions we make. We should view them through the eyes of God and not the culture and standards we set as norms in this world. His ways and thoughts are higher and always deserve another look. – Amy Higgins

Do you have questions about this week’s Bible reading? We’d love to help! Rather than relying on the first thing you find on the internet, email us at biblequestions@warsaw.cc. We are more than happy to answer that nagging question you have, provide you with some clarity, or point you in the right direction for further study.