"Trust in the Lord and do good." Psalm 37:3a
Everybody in the story of Isaac's blessing for Esau did something wrong. First, there was favoritism among the parents. Isaac favored Esau, his son who enjoyed hunting and the outdoors. Jacob preferred to stay around home, and his mother Rebekah loved him the best.
God had told Rebekah when she was expecting the twins, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." Genesis 25:23. In spite of God's prophecy, Isaac was determined to give his blessing and the position of patriarch of the family to his older son Esau. A part of the blessing he gave to Jacob, thinking he was Esau, included these words, "May nations serve you and people's bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you." Genesis 27:29a.
Isaac had called Esau to himself privately to avoid a confrontation with Rebekah, but Rebekah overheard the conversation between father and son. Do you suppose she could have been eavesdropping? Rebekah came up with a plan of her own whereby Jacob could deceive his father and receive the blessing and the birthright. Jacob's wrongdoing occurred when he fell in with his mother's plan to deceive his father. Esau became so angry about the deception that he determined to kill his brother Jacob as soon as his father died.
When should we take matters into our own hands and work out our own plans? When is it all right to sin in order to bring about a desired end, a good result? Never, ever! No end will ever justify a sinful means. God is able to bring good about in every situation if we will trust and obey Him. God will never need for us to take charge. He is absolutely capable!
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