By faith, concerning coming things, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau;
Hebrews 11:20
This example of faith is so interesting. It contains a deep expression of what faith is, held in as few as ten words which encapsulate a complicated story with twists in the tale. Do you see the intent expressed in this short block of text in so few words?
By faith
concerning coming things
Isaac blessed Jacob
and Esau
This is a deep statement of faith concerning unfulfilled expectation or things contrary to expectation. Just stop and think about the storyline behind this account. You will find the story in Genesis 27. I would suggest if it has been a while since you have read the story, go back and read it again. If you have never read the story before then now is your time – before you read the rest of this Gem.
The Brief Synopsis
[No don’t settle for “the Brief”; read the whole story in Genesis 27]- Isaac sent Esau to prepare the feast.
- Rebekah and Jacob deceive both Isaac and Esau.
- Isaac pronounces the blessing of the “firstborn” over Jacob.
- Isaac realises he has been deceived and Jacob has been given the blessing of the firstborn.
- Isaac favoured Esau over Jacob, yet realises the irreversibility of what has been pronounced.
The Blessing Pronounced on
Jacob:
“See, the fragrance of my son [is] as the fragrance of a field which YHWH has blessed; and God gives to you of the dew of the heavens, and of the fatness of the earth, and abundance of grain and wine; peoples serve you, and nations bow themselves to you, be mighty over your brothers, and the sons of your mother bow themselves to you; those who curse you [are] cursed, and those who bless you [are] blessed.”
Genesis 27:27-29
Esau:
“Behold, of the fatness of the earth is your dwelling, and of the dew of the heavens from above; and by your sword you live, and your brother serves you; and it has come to pass, when you rule, that you have broken his yoke from off your neck.”
Genesis 27:39-40
The details and the intrigue of the story are made irrelevant once the blessing has been pronounced. Isaac is a good example of the faith in “things unseen” as announced at the beginning of this chapter. The essence is that Isaac trusted God in regard to the covenantal promise and now has pronounced the blessing of the first born upon the younger son. He believed he was giving his blessing to the correct son. But now the blessing of the first born has fallen on the son Isaac did not favour. The words “concerning coming things” are given prominence in this short statement related to Isaac’s faith. He now has to hold his faith in God related to the things to come, that which has been prophesied for the future of these two boys. Isaac had not given the blessing he intended to his favourite son. Now both Isaac and the sons had to wait and see what God would do in terms of the blessing pronounced for the future of each son. It has not gone as Isaac had planned but now he has to trust God even more, believing that God will deal with the deceit and the outcome in the most appropriate way. Of course now the outcome is going to depend on the reaction of each of the sons in the context of the blessing pronounced and more importantly their own interaction and relationship with God who determines the outcome of the blessing.
I felt I could leave the detail for my readers to work out. But as a result of questions which have come in ‘off stage’, aside from this website, I think I need to spell it out clearly.
I trust you are aware that Jacob’s name means “deceiver”, “twister”, figuratively “he who grasps the heal”. Jacob tricked his brother out of his birthright. But then Jacob’s name was changed to ‘Israel’ which means “he who wrestles with God” or “Prince with God”. Can you imagine Isaac’s feelings about Jacob as a result? Esau became the progenitor of the Edomites who ended up being enemies of Israel. The writer of Hebrews records for us that Esau later sought repentance with tears but it was not forthcoming (Hebrews 12:16-17). Because of the hardness in Esau’s heart toward his brother he was shut out from the blessing. The words of blessing from Isaac were accurate as to what would happen in the future. Imagine Isaac’s struggle to maintain perspective in the face of such an outcome.
I am sure you have examples in your life where what you intended didn’t go according to your plan. Perhaps your plan was waylaid by the subterfuge and deceit of another, leaving you to determine your own response to a seemingly unfair or unjust situation. You know that it takes more faith to deal with your own feelings in the matter, to keep your heart pure before God and to leave the outcome to Him who judges justly. Now you have the essence of the faith issue which faced Isaac.
What will God make of each of these prophetic words spoken over Isaac’s sons? God is the One Who is going to have to deal with each son accordingly, concerning the things to come and Isaac was going to have to have faith that God would do what was right. Just like you had to if ever you have been in a similar situation.
True faith means to take God at His word and allow the outworking of the circumstances to convince you that God knew the end from the beginning all along.
Ian
Once the outcome of a difficult relationship situation is out of your hands you have to have faith that God will work things out for the good of both parties.
Ian
Faith Is Not The Denying The Circumstances… It Is Acknowledging God’s Purpose Will Work Out For All Involved.
Robb Thompson
Be careful: your reaction to God’s choices will set your course for the future.
Ian
Remember, you are made strong by the difficulties you FACE, not by those you EVADE!
Rick Godwin
Additional Note: I felt I could leave the detail for my readers to work out. But as a result of questions which have come in ‘off stage’, aside from this website, I think I need to spell it out clearly.
I trust you are aware that Jacob’s name means “deceiver”, “twister”. figuratively “he who grasps the heal”. Jacob tricked his brother out of his birthright. But then Jacob’s name was changed to Israel which means “he who wrestled with God” or “Prince with God”. Can you imagine Isaac’s feelings about Jacob as a result? Esau became the progenitor of the Edomites who ended up being enemies of Israel. Hebrews records for us that Esau later sought repentance with tears but it was not forthcoming (Hebrews 12:16-17). Because of the hardness in Esau’s heart toward his brother he was shut out from the blessing.
The words of blessing from Isaac were accurate as to what would happen in the future. Imagine Isaac’s struggle to maintain perspective in the face of such an outcome.