Scripture to Read: Genesis 26:34-27:1-29
In today's devotion, we'll see how situations stained with sin can never stop the will of God. Before addressing Jacob's sin, we read in Genesis 26:34-35 the foolishness Esau committed by marrying Hittite women. We also see the brokenness Esau's decision brought to Isaac and Rebekah. It is in this context that Isaac prepared to give his blessing to his son before he died. As the firstborn, Esau was to be the one who received this blessing. As we read Genesis 27:5-29, Isaac sent Esau out to hunt for food so that Isaac may bless him, but at the same time, Rebekah set up a scheme. Rebekah went to great lengths to deceive Isaac, cooking the food Isaac expected to receive and dressed Jacob up like his brother. For a moment, it seemed the plan failed as Isaac thought it was the voice of Jacob. But Rebekah's deception worked as Isaac felt what he believed were the hands of Esau. As a result, instead of Esau receiving the blessing of the firstborn, Jacob did. We know that before Jacob and Esau were born, God had told Rebekah the older would serve the younger in Genesis 25:23. We will never know what God's perfect plan was to fulfill His will. But what Rebekah and Jacob schemed in deceiving, God still used to bring about His Word. We will never understand how God uses terrible and sinful situations for good, but we can trust that God is sovereign over sin, and His plan will always be accomplished. The cross of Jesus Christ is a perfect display of God's perfect plan.
Challenge & Application
1. What does this passage teach us about the plan of God and the sin of man?
2. How does gospel show how even the sin of man can distort or frustrate the plan of God?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!