Dr. Janice Gilbert Senior Pastor

He went to his father and said, “My father.” “Yes, my son,” he answered. “Who is it?” 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.” Isaac asked his son, “How did you find it so quickly, my son?” “The LORD your God gave me

success,” he replied. 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.” 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.” He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so

he blessed him. “Are you really my son Esau?” he asked. “I am,” he replied. Then he said, “My son, bring me some of your game to eat, so that I may give you my blessing.” Jacob brougt it to him and he ate; and he brought some wine and he drank. Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come here, my son, and kiss me.”

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. 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.

And I blessed him -he's blessed for good.

Dr. Janice Gilbert Senior Pastor

Good Morning friends! It is good to gather again to worship the Lord in spirit and truth. This is a familiar narrative that many of us have heard time and time again. However, I found it particularly interesting that Jacob had the blessing conferred upon him in spite of his immaturity and the demonstrated

character flaws. The gifts and calling is certainly without repentance. It would do us good to realize that the blessings of God is not determined by what we are not, but who God is and wants to do. First glance at the text, it might seem unfair that Jacob would receive a blessing that was intended for his brother. Not only that he schemed and connived to get what was already

designed traditionally for the eldest. Therefore Jacob was determined that he was going to do things his way before hand. We all have heard the Burger King theology, "have it your way". I know you might say, " well what about Esau"? In God's timing he also had something for him. Remember what God has for you it's for you. So the question becomes, was this blessing Esau's?

I believe that Esau had to be delivered from a sense of entitlement and instant gratification. Although the firstborn son was entitled to the birthright, it was not actually his until the blessing was pronounced. Before the blessing was given, the father could take the birthright away from the oldest son and give it to a more deserving son. But let us remember that Esau had already sold his birthright for some food.

Looks like God had a plan surrounding these circumstances. My friend can you think of instances in your own life, when you came to the realization that you had the blessing of God available all the time? Perhaps you were blinded by influences beyond your control, maybe your emotions and low self image got in the way. Or just perhaps you had not grown to understand the

nature and purpose of God operating in your life. Lastly, it could have been that you thought you had to do it your way? The main idea of this morning's message is "the blessing is for good". God has given us a birthright through Jesus Christ and his blessing is irrevocable.

You must make some decisions in your life for the blessing (s) of God to be established and operable.

Jacob faces several stages in his life in order for the blessing of God's power to be evident in his life. 1. Jacob had to learn to grab a hold to God. 2. Jacob learned from the other side of the fence. 3. God grabs Jacob.

This is a classic analogy of all things working together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called for his purpose. It is here that God not only blesses Jacob, but His glory is manifested through blessing him. God demonstrates his power in the earth and world system so that others will know that He is God. It was already planned that the

patriarchal blessing would pass through him. This blessing for Jacob was a blessing that would bless others so that they might know that there is a God. Friend, you are blessed, the blessing still stands for you. You have the power, purpose of God working in your life. You have the kingdom of

God operating in your life that you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you. Dr. Janice Gilbert, Senior Pastor McKinney United Methodist Church Copyrighted 2012