“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” Genesis 27:1-29 02/14/2010 Dr “UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” Genesis 27:1-29 02/14/2010 Dr. Dane Boyles

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” In our text from Genesis today we observe family dynamics at work. The table is set for a holy meal, where the family “blessing” stands as the centerpiece. At this meal, regrettably, there is neither peace nor family unity.

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” Only one generation removed from Abraham and the spiritual life within the chosen family has almost completely deteriorated. Our text addresses the question: How will God intervene to further his kingdom, when the chosen family has all but denied his presence?

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” The Pre-game Preparations: Isaac and Esau Dynamics (27:1-4). 1 When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older son and said to him, “My son.” “Here I am,” he answered. (27:1)

Genesis 27:2-3 2 Isaac said, “I am now an old man and don’t know the day of my death. 3 Now then, get your weapons—your quiver and bow—and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me.

Genesis 27:4, NIV 4 Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die.”

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” If Esau has already sold his birthright, how does he now expect to inherit the blessing? For Isaac, imparting the blessing is secondary to the “savory” dish that he “loves.”

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” Yet the irony is that Isaac’s request is framed with the word “death” (2, 4).

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” The Pre-game Preparations: Rebekah and Jacob Dynamics (27:5-17). 5 Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, (27:5)

Genesis 27:6-7 6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, 7 ‘Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the LORD before I die.’

Genesis 27:8-9 8 Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: 9 Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it.

Genesis 27:10 10 Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies.” (27:5-10)

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” Now we discover that Isaac’s grand scheme is hidden from the rest of the family. Rebekah’s spying reveals a longstanding distrust among them.

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” After years of a dysfunctional marriage, the thought of manipulation and keeping the peace seems a far easier road than the prospect of a family confrontation.

Genesis 27:11-12 11 Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “But my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I’m a man with smooth skin. 12 What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing.” (27:11-12)

Genesis 27:13-14 13 His mother said to him, “My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get them for me.” 14 So he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and she prepared some tasty food, just the way his father liked it.

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” So eager is Rebekah for her son to succeed that she volunteers to take his curse if their plans go awry. 15 Then Rebekah took the best clothes of Esau her older son, which she had in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob. (27:15)

Genesis 27:16-17 16 She also covered his hands and the smooth part of his neck with the goatskins. 17 Then she handed to her son Jacob the tasty food and the bread she had made.

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” Jacob must be willing to deny who he is in order to have his father’s blessing. God’s blessing is given by his sovereign grace, not through denial of one’s identity.

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” The Meal: Jacob and Isaac Dynamics (27:18-29). The approach: Deceit and Blasphemy (27:18-20). 18 He went to his father and said, “My father.” “Yes, my son,” he answered. “Who is it?” (27:18)

Genesis 27:19 19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game so that you may give me your blessing.”

Genesis 27:20 20 Isaac asked his son, “How did you find it so quickly, my son?” “The LORD your God gave me success,” he replied.

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” Groping in the Dark (27:21-27). 21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Come near so I can touch you, my son, to know whether you really are my son Esau or not.” (27:21)

Genesis 27:22-23 22 Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he blessed him.

Genesis 27:24-25 24 “Are you really my son Esau?” he asked. “I am,” he replied. 25 Then he said, “My son, bring me some of your game to eat, so that I may give you my blessing.”

Genesis 27:26-27 26 Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come here, my son, and kiss me.”  27 So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said, “Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed.

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” At this point Isaac reaches the height of disobedience, choosing to bless what God has cursed. But, by the hand of providence, God has overruled, and the younger son of choice receives the blessing. I can identify with Jacob.

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” The Blessing (27:28-29) 28 May God give you of heaven’s dew and of earth's richness— an abundance of grain and new wine. (27:28)

Genesis 27:28-29 29 May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed.”

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” Isaac desires the wrong thing, and he does it the wrong way, with the wrong son. Esau thinks he can have the right thing, but he has already thrown away his birthright.

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” Rebekah wants the right thing, but she does it the wrong way, through the right son. Jacob, the manipulative tool of the mother, does her bidding, seeking the right thing the wrong way.

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” Just Desserts. Everyone is rewarded according to his or her deeds. Because Rebekah chooses to deceive her husband rather than openly confronting him, she unwittingly creates an even worse confrontation.

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” Thus, in the act of manipulating her favored son, in effect Rebekah loses both of her sons. Upon Rebekah’s death she is not even given an obituary. Jacob also gets what he deserves.

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” Like his mother, he will spend his waning years lamenting the loss of his favored son.

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” God overrules to accomplish his end, his way. The second thing we learn from this text is that despite everyone’s hidden agendas, God overrules to accomplish his purposes, his way.

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” Longings for New Family, with no emotional control. Living through the pain of a dysfunctional family would cause Israel to long for a new family. This is the marvel of the work of Jesus the Messiah.

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” We don’t have to dress up in one another’s clothes and imitate our brothers and sisters. What a marvelous family this is!

“UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” Genesis 27:1-29 02/14/2010 Dr “UNFORTUNATE FAMILY DYNAMICS” Genesis 27:1-29 02/14/2010 Dr. Dane Boyles