Results 1 - 8 of 8
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Why Esau not got his blessing back? | Gen 27:35 | Wild Olive Shoot | 155221 | ||
iktoose, The correspondence you and mark shared seems to have answered the questions and my thoughts would agree. It’s not really a matter of condoning things contrary to God’s will for reason of a better outcome, or breaking laws for good reasons. To me, it is a matter of relying on the sovereignty of God and the fact that what he desires to happen does in fact happen. I would never agree that it is acceptable to break laws and to be deceitful and un-Christ like because we see a better result or a quicker result than letting God work it His way. We should never condone inappropriate behavior or unethical practices but inevitably, they’ll happen, we will sin. Isn’t it great, knowing that God can take our wicked ways and use them for His benefit if He desires to do so? Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Like Mark stated, and to which you readily agreed, Jacob would have still received the blessing even without Rebekah’s involvement, one way or another. One thing to which Scripture doesn’t elaborate on is Isaac’s deeper thoughts during all of this. As Matthew Henry pointed out, it is conceivable that Isaac remembered the divine oracle and came to his senses. And since the Scriptures don’t point out, it is also conceivable that Isaac wasn’t aware of it. I find the latter hard to believe however. (Just my own personal opinion.) What is quite evident from the Scripture though, is that Isaac favored Esau. In His favoritism it is possible that he was blind to the will of God for a time. As pointed out elsewhere in Scripture, favoritism is not a desirable characteristic and can be harmful. Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. Isaac’s favoritism of Esau could have very well clouded his judgment and then he simply came to his senses and realized what had happened was God’s will, therefore, Jacob kept his blessing. Maybe I shouldn’t speculate, but I see a variety of life lessons learned from this particular incident with the heart of it being God’s sovereignty. WOS |
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2 | Why Esau not got his blessing back? | Gen 27:35 | iktoose | 155252 | ||
WOS, well explained with good supporting Scriptures. Then why am I prompted with more questions? When Isaac realized he made a mistake, why he said that he did not have any more blessings to bless Esau with. The blessing is coming from God, not? It is limitless, not? Isaac actually in his mind blessed Esau, not Jacob. In this instance, I guess the rule "the possession is nine tenth of the law" is applicable, huh?. Why could not he bless Esau if he believes all the blessings are coming from God? Instead he practically cursed him (Gen 27:39-40). Why? Put yourself in Esau's shoes. As a parent myself I cannot comprehend what Isaac did... Your thoughts on this? iktoose |
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3 | Why Esau not got his blessing back? | Gen 27:35 | Wild Olive Shoot | 155292 | ||
Hi iktoose, I’m probably not the best person to get real in depth on this one. There are many more knowledgeable than I on the forum that can address and probably explain in more clear terms, but I’ll give it a try. I’m always willing to give my point of view when asked. First of all, Isaac didn’t state that he had no more blessings. Genesis 27:39,40 records the blessing that Isaac did in fact place unto Esau. But just prior to that in v37, Isaac told Esau what he had blessed Jacob with and posed the question to Esau, “and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?” Jacob had the blessing and regardless whether or not Isaac wanted to revoke it, it was still his word, and that stands for something and Jacob was given authority to rule, so Esau would have no other choice but to serve. My study Bible points out that someone’s word, especially when it was with a formal oath was binding, much like a written contract is today, thus another reason Isaac’s blessing was irrevocable. This wasn’t necessarily a blessing from God, as I understand it. It was the ceremony of blessing that officially handed over the birthright to the rightful heir that would include spiritual blessings. Realize also that Jacob had been given the birthright years before by Esau when he sold it to him (which was apparently done at times), but that showed complete disregard for the spiritual blessings that would have come his way had he not relinquished it to satisfy his immediate desire without considering the consequences. Matthew Henry continued in the commentary I submitted previously with this: “That those who undervalue their spiritual birthright, and can afford to sell it for a morsel of meat, forfeit spiritual blessings, and it is just with God to deny them those favours they were careless of. Those that will part with their wisdom and grace, with their faith and a good conscience, for the honours, wealth, or pleasures, of this world, however they may pretend a zeal for the blessing, have already judged themselves unworthy of it, and so shall their doom be.” But Isaac did in fact bless Esau. He didn’t necessarily curse him. He would still have a competent livelihood. He’ll live by his sword shows that he would serve but he would not starve. He would serve but would break the yoke from off his neck, and he would eventually be free of bondage. Esau prospered for a time. The commentary I’ve referred to can be viewed at the following. It was very helpful to me in understanding what is being stated. http://www.searchgodsword.org/com/mhc-com/ My thoughts as a parent: Well we’re walking on dangerous ground now, asking for my own personal thoughts. Being a father of two with another on the way, I hope and pray that I am fair an equal with all of my children, that I don’t favor one over the other. The truth however, I’m probably not all of the time. Not that I love one more than another, but depending on the circumstances I tend to favor one over another to enjoy a particular activity based on their enjoyment as well. I don’t necessarily get everyone involved and sometimes, one child may feel left out. I try to ration my time and efforts equally so as not to discourage either of them, and this will be even more intense with the arrival of our third. Truth be told, I probably don’t spend enough time with them as time seems to be such a rare commodity these days. I’ll strive to better myself in that area. So I hope I’m not in the position Isaac was as a father in which he apparently displayed his favoritism so greatly. That should be avoided. But as a parent who loves his child and is witness to a tremendous disappointment such as Esau displayed, I simply hope I have the faith and love to comfort them in any way I can. What I give to one, I would hope to be able to give to the others equally and just as fulfilling. However, in some cases, just as with Isaac and Esau, we see that it just isn’t possible all of the time. I hope to teach my children to make the best of what they have and what they are given and to understand that not all their desires will be fulfilled for one reason or another and they will have to adjust accordingly. What would I have done in Isaac’s case? Hopefully I would have called on God for the answer and had faith that it was the right answer. WOS |
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4 | Why Esau not got his blessing back? | Gen 27:35 | iktoose | 155340 | ||
WOS, Thanks for correcting my mistake of saying Isaac did not have any more blessing for Esau. I also stated that Isaac practically cursed Esau. I guess it is different point of view, i.e. half empty or half full glass. Going back to my original question... if I were siding with Jacob, it sounds all hunky-dory but if you are siding with Esau, the glass is half empty, not? For some reason I have been for the underdogs... I am not sure if I can agree with your statement comparing the ceremony of Isaac's blessing of Jacob to today's business contract. Do you think Jacob could successfully defend his position and keep what he gained if Esau took him to today's court (or Moses' court)? By the way your thoughts as a parent is well said and thanks for sharing, I cannot agree you more. I want to add though, if I may, if I were Isaac I would have punished both Rebakah and Jacob for cheating him. The Bible does not mention if Isaac followed up with that incident, does it? iktoose |
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5 | Why Esau not got his blessing back? | Gen 27:35 | Wild Olive Shoot | 155459 | ||
I don't see where Isaac did any such thing. But the results of the act itself can be identified: Did Jacob and Rebekah ever see each other again after Jacob was sent to Laban? Genesis 35:27-29 states that Jacob returned into Isaac but doesn't mention Rebekah. That seems pretty intense in light of the evident love they had toward one another. Jacob also went without seeing his brother and father again for many years. Punishment for the act seems to have rightly come from God rather than Isaac. Just an observation. I stated that hopefully I would have called on God for direction in handling the situation if it were me, but I can probably honestly admit; had my wife and son deceived me in a similar manner, I’m sure I would have wanted to make their time with me miserable, at least for a while. Not that I condone such action, but in honesty, I’m sure I would have been upset. That’s just me. WOS |
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6 | Why Esau not got his blessing back? | Gen 27:35 | Jehonadab | 155464 | ||
Esau proved that he had no love of God, disdaining even his birthright.(Gen 25:30 ) However, Jehovah God had already spoken prophetically that "the one national group will be stronger than the other national group, and the older will serve the younger.” (Gen 25:23 ) Later, in harmony with the inclination that Jehovah had already foreseen and that had caused him to love Jacob more than he did Esau, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for just a bowl of stew.(Ge 25:29-34).Legally, as Jacob well knew, he was entitled to act in the role of Esau, the firstborn of Isaac.Hence, Esau no longer had the firstborn's rights. But Isaac was unaware that Esau had sold his birthright to Jacob when he came in for a blessing, but God was well aware of this and was pleasing to him. Esau later showed further disregard for spiritual things by marrying "Ju´dith the daughter of Be·e´ri the Hit´tite and also Bas´e·math the daughter of E´lon the Hit´tite", Caaanite women that proved to be a "source of bitterness of spirit to Isaac and Re·bek´ah."(Gen 26:34,35 ) Isaac and Rebekah both recognized the badness of the Caananites and commanded Jacob not to seek out a wife from among the, unlike his brother. (Gen 28:1) Exactly why Rebekah and Jacob handled the matter in the way they did, we do not know, except that both of them knew that the blessing belonged to Jacob. Jacob did not maliciously misrepresent himself in order to get something that did not rightfully belong to him. The Bible does not condemn what Rebekah and Jacob did. The outcome was that Jacob received the rightful blessing. Isaac himself evidently saw that Jehovah’s will had been accomplished. Shortly after this, when sending Jacob off to Haran to get a wife, Isaac further blessed Jacob and specifically said: “God Almighty . . . will give to you the blessing of Abraham.” (Ge 28:3, 4) So we properly conclude that the outcome of the matter was what Jehovah purposed. The Bible states clearly the lesson that we should draw from this account, warning that we should be careful “that there may be no fornicator nor anyone not appreciating sacred things, like Esau, who in exchange for one meal gave away his rights as firstborn.”—Heb 12:16. | ||||||
7 | Why Esau not got his blessing back? | Gen 27:35 | Wild Olive Shoot | 155468 | ||
Jehonadab, You stated: "Jacob did not maliciously misrepresent himself in order to get something that did not rightfully belong to him. The Bible does not condemn what Rebekah and Jacob did." They took matters into their hands not relying on God to work it His way. You can’t force God’s hand and nowhere in Scripture would that be supported. I saw a television show a while back in which they were asking for donations for help in moving all of the Jews from around the world back to Israel for the purpose of speeding Christ’s return. Essentially believing they could force God to play His cards early. Whatever The Almighty declares will in fact happen. There’s nothing we can do to prevent it, there’s nothing we can do to quicken it. God will act when He is ready. Rebekah and Jacob acted inappropriately using deceit and taking advantage of Isaac’s apparent disability. Hebrews 12:16 surely warns us how we are not to be, but that doesn’t speak at all to what Rebekah and Jacob did. There are clearly more lessons to be learned than just the one. However, I do agree with you that the “outcome” was exactly what God purposed. It always is, no matter how terribly we get it wrong, what God wills, will be done. Scripture doesn't condemn it? I'd look again at what everyone involved had to endure because of that incident and then ask again if we shouldn't get from scripture that acts like that are not approved. WOS |
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8 | Why Esau not got his blessing back? | Gen 27:35 | DocTrinsograce | 155473 | ||
Hi, WOS... I agree, brother. The fact that God made use of the choices of Jacob and his mother does not mean that their choices were condoned. Frankly, their plan was dirty, conniving, and despicable. God makes use of secondary causes because He is Sovereign. He even uses the unwilling activities of Satan and his host as part of His Eternal Purpose. In doing so God perfectly retains HIs holiness and righteousness. What an incredible God! In Him, Doc |
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