Genesis
Foundation Book of the Bible
The Battle for the Blessing
Teaching Strategy
The focus of this lesson is the impact of Jacob’s deceit in obtaining Esau’s blessings and how God’s will is completed despite the manipulations of men. Of special note in this lesson is the impact of Rebekah and Jacob’s plot and how God’s will was still accomplished.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Know: Understand how God continues to demonstrate His love and grace despite the manipulations of men.
- Feel: Appreciate God’s continued love and grace even during our times of weakness.
- Do: Use the information gained from Genesis to strengthen our faith.
Body of the Lesson
Discussion Questions
Below are suggested questions to use during the guided discussion portion of the lesson. There are also suggested responses to questions to help students grasp the various concepts. These are provided to assist the discussion and are not considered as "right or wrong" responses.
The intent of this question is to learn how God's will remains and will be met. Sometimes, as seen in this situation as well as previous actions by Sarah and Abraham, we try to take shortcuts or circumvent God's will. God continues to work His will despite human interference.
Why would God not punish Rebekah and Jacob for their deception?
Although the plan was not according to God's will, the outcome still met with His overall purpose. It is possible that God let His covenant hold greater weight than the need for immediate retribution. In truth, Jacob did struggle as a result of his deception. Just as God controls time for answering prayer and fulfilling His promises, He controls when and how He punishes.
How does God's choice of when and how to punish relate to Matthew 24:36 regarding the return of our Lord?
Only God knows the when and how. Our role is to be faithful and ready for a date known only to God. His will is fulfilled as He desires and when He does so. As seen in the outcome of the deceit of Rebekah and Jacob, God's will was fulfilled in Jacob receiving the birthright and superiority over his brother.
What was the immediate outcome once Esau realized Jacob had cheated him of his birthright?
Esau became extremely saddened and angry. As a result of this deceit, the family was torn apart and would remain so for years. Furthermore, the natural way of the oldest receiving the birthright and prominence in the family was reversed.
What was Esau's plan once he realized his mother and brother's deceived?
Esau plotted to murder his brother. Hate is intense loathing or passionate dislike for someone. If not controlled or eliminated, it results in irrational and violent behavior.
Esau had every right and expectation to become angry because of the deceit (Regardless of the fact that in his weakness he brought it on himself). In his hatred and anger he developed murderous intent. This was both a heart and attitude issue.
How does Esau's plan for revenge on his brother relate to Jesus' teachings on hate and murder (Matthew 5:21), I John 3:15, and Ephesians 4:26-27?
In Matthew 5:21, Jesus considered it murder to sink to this depth of hatred and anger. In I John 3:15, John echoes this and warns again that if we do not abide in love, we do not have eternal life. Paul not only warns about anger but tells us to make haste in resolving our anger so that Satan does not gain a foothold in our hearts.
Paul concludes this passage with the admonition to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave us. Esau was wronged by Rebekah and Jacob, but he was not without fault in this series of events.
God made a promise to Abraham to make him a great name and a great nation.
God was bound by His love and grace to keep that covenant. Even though His offspring were not faithful at times, God still remembered the promise.
Furthermore, God will not remove free will as part of man's godlike character.
He will deal with the consequences of poor choices and offer us better choices and opportunities to renew our decisions.
As always happens with our failures, we learn that God's grace is boundless. Tied to God's grace is His unfathomable love. From Adam and Eve to now, God takes us as we are and where we are, and gently leads us to where He wants us to be.
God also knows the outcome of our lives because of His omniscience. He knew the heart of Jacob and what Jacob could become. Our view is all too often short-sighted, unlike God Who has an eternal view.
It is sometimes difficult to see how God is working in our lives. We experience our wants and needs and desire immediate resolutions. The challenge is to achieve the proper balance between acting and acting according to God's will. This requires continual prayer for wisdom and patience. God has promised to be with us.
This does not mean that we will never face adverse situations. It does, however, mean that we will not face them alone. God gives us comfort through His word, our brothers and sisters in the Lord, and the Holy Spirit. We need to remember this as we deal with life's valleys. Sometimes we don't see God working with us through difficult times until we're through the valley, but we can rely on His promises none-the-less.