READING: Genesis 27-29
It’s frightening how far we will go to get what we want. And, it’s even more alarming to know how far we will go into the depths of sin to get what we want. It’s Rebekah, wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau, who helps us see this reality in today’s reading.
Isaac, blinded by age, was prepared to offer his blessing — a big deal in the ancient world — to his oldest son, Esau. When Rebekah overheard what was happening, she “cooked up” (literally) a plan to deceive Issac and secure his blessing for Jacob instead.
Gen. 27:6-10 "Rebekah said to her son Jacob, '. . . Now obey every order I give you, my son. Go to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, and I will make them into a delicious meal for your father—the kind he loves. Then take it to your father to eat so that he may bless you before he dies.’”
Consider the thought and work that had to go into their plan:
- Rebekah had to devise the plan.
- Jacob had to secure the young goats to be cooked.
- Rebekah had to cook them.
- She had to prepare the goatskins to be placed on Jacob’s hands and neck so he was hairy like Esau.
- She had to gather Esau’s clothing so Jacob could wear it and smell like his brother.
- Jacob had to convince Isaac that he was Esau, over against Isaac’s confusion that he heard Jacob’s voice but felt Esau’s arms.
These actions had to require some time — at least enough time for Rebekah and Jacob to be convicted over their wrong and halt the process mid-term. They didn’t do so, however. Instead, they marched through any sense of regret and carried out their plan to gain the blessing.
I wonder how much of our sin is so pre-meditated. Ideally, none of it is, but sometimes, people plan their sin. They know how to nonchalantly surf the channels at the right time, hoping to see clips of immorality. They don’t intend to have premarital sex, but they carry a condom just in case. They choose to hang out with folks whose presence draws them away from God, knowing ahead of time they could be in trouble. Opportunities to repent abound, but Satan’s lures are seemingly more potent — and somebody again falls.
Do you ever plan your sin? Submit to God when you begin to do so, and resist the devil before you take any more moves in the wrong direction.
ACTION STEPS: Consider these steps today:
- Evaluate your answer to the question, “Do you ever plan your sin?”
- Be respectfully aware of the power of the lure of sin.
- If you know someone today who is seemingly caught in the destructive power of the enemy and sin, pray right now for him or her.
PRAYER: “God, halt my steps when I even consider planning out my sin. Remind me that I, too, am susceptible to swallowing the enemy’s bait.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Genesis 27-29