February 8, 2019

Five-Senses Test

Genesis 27:1–29

Jimmy Zeilan
Friday's Devo

February 8, 2019

Friday's Devo

February 8, 2019

Central Truth

This passage engages all five senses as Isaac tests the one he thinks is Esau, but is really Jacob. God is sovereign and can use even the deceptions of man. In the end, God’s will and Word will always prevail. Which will you rely on—your senses or the One who created your senses?

Key Verse | Genesis 27:1

When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son”; and he answered, “Here I am.”

Genesis 27:1–29

Isaac Blesses Jacob

When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son”; and he answered, “Here I am.” He said, “Behold, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me, and prepare for me delicious food, such as I love, and bring it to me so that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.”

Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, ‘Bring me game and prepare for me delicious food, that I may eat it and bless you before the LORD before I die.’ Now therefore, my son, obey my voice as I command you. Go to the flock and bring me two good young goats, so that I may prepare from them delicious food for your father, such as he loves. 10 And you shall bring it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.” 11 But Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Behold, my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. 12 Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him and bring a curse upon myself and not a blessing.” 13 His mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, bring them to me.”

14 So he went and took them and brought them to his mother, and his mother prepared delicious food, such as his father loved. 15 Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her older son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son. 16 And the skins of the young goats she put on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. 17 And she put the delicious food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

18 So he went in to his father and said, “My father.” And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?” 19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.” 20 But Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?” He answered, “Because the LORD your God granted me success.” 21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, to know whether you are really my son Esau or not.” 22 So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, who felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau's hands. So he blessed him. 24 He said, “Are you really my son Esau?” He answered, “I am.” 25 Then he said, “Bring it near to me, that I may eat of my son's game and bless you.” So he brought it near to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank.

26 Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come near and kiss me, my son.” 27 So he came near and kissed him. And Isaac smelled the smell of his garments and blessed him and said,

“See, the smell of my son
    is as the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed!
28  May God give you of the dew of heaven
    and of the fatness of the earth
    and plenty of grain and wine.
29  Let peoples serve you,
    and nations bow down to you.
Be lord over your brothers,
    and may your mother's sons bow down to you.
Cursed be everyone who curses you,
    and blessed be everyone who blesses you!”

Dive Deeper | Genesis 27:1–29

We are all born with a sinful nature. One of the biggest challenges in my life has been to learn to wait for God’s timing. In our passage, God’s plan was to bless Jacob by faith, not by deceiving Isaac.

Rebekah was told by God in Genesis 24:23:
“And the Lord said to her,
‘Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples from within you shall be divided;
the one shall be stronger than the other,
the older shall serve the younger.’”

Rebekah didn't wait on God. I have learned that I must always realize that I am not in control. God is the one in control. I am not God.

In the end, God’s plan will prevail. Jacob and Rebekah deceive Isaac and lie to him many times. Yet, Isaac is still questioning Jacob because something seems fishy. Isaac cannot see very well as he is only 137 years old. But Isaac continues to question Jacob. And Jacob continues to lie. Isaac gave him many chances to come clean, but Jacob refused. Jacob’s final trick occurs when Isaac asks Jacob to kiss him. As Jacob kisses his dad, he is wearing his brother's clothes. As a result, Isaac can smell the scent of Esau and finally believes it is Esau. Then he gives Jacob the blessing and inheritance that belonged to Esau as the oldest brother. Isaac questioned Jacob, the deceiver, trying to make sure it was in fact Esau. But ultimately, Isaac was fooled. And Isaac gave the blessing to Jacob, thinking it was Esau.

All things happen in God’s own time. A lot of the time I want to help Him. But I am learning that I need to die to self, get out of His way, and let His will be done. As I continue my walk with the Lord in this world, I have to constantly remind myself who is in charge. And sometimes God will let me know who is in charge. Jimmy Z is NOT in charge. I have to let God do His work in His own time, not mine.​

Discussion Questions

1. How far will you go to get what you want or even what you think you need?

2. How many times have you lied or deceived someone to get what you want? In the end, how did it make you feel?

3. All of us get restless and impatient at times. Why didn't Rebekah trust the Lord even though He has already told her what was going to happen?

4. Rebekah intervenes in God’s plan and sets in motion a scheme to make sure Jacob gets the blessing. Is it her job to intervene with God’s plan? Have you ever interfered in God’s plan? How did that work out for you?

5. Tasty food is mentioned five times in these verses, and the passage makes clear that Isaac also used his senses, including touch and smell, in attempting to verify which son he was talking to. When you are in the midst of tests, do you tend to rely more on your senses and experiences or on the One who created your senses?