Genesis 27 - 2009 - Skip Heitzig

Introduction

The speaker prays for the audience to have a deep hunger for God's word and to live with eternity in mind.

• The speaker introduces Genesis chapter 27 as a sad story about a dysfunctional family.

• He prays for the audience to be effective while on earth and to have heaven in mind.

Characters in the Story

The main characters of the story are introduced, including Isaac, Rebecca, Esau, and Jacob.

• Isaac does not trust his son Jacob and favors his son Esau.

• Rebecca eavesdrops on a conversation between Isaac and Esau and starts scheming to overturn her husband's wishes.

• Jacob dislikes his brother Esau and seeks to steal a blessing.

God's Functionality in Dysfunctionality

Despite the dysfunctionality of the family, God will override their actions to get His will done.

• God uses messed up people like those in this family to accomplish His will.

• Dysfunctionality runs in Abraham's family, so it is not surprising that it continues with Isaac's family.

• Shakespeare's quote "oh what a tangled web we weave when at first we practice to deceive" applies here as people misrepresent truth.

Round One: Esau and Jacob in the Womb

In this section, we learn about the struggle between Esau and Jacob from their time in the womb. Rebekah was pregnant with twins, and they were struggling inside her. When they were born, Esau came out first, followed by Jacob who was grabbing his heel.

• The character of Esau and Jacob shows up at their birth. One is going to trip up his brother.

• Round two of this battle is when Esau comes home hungry and asks for food from Jacob. Jacob agrees but wants his birthright in exchange.

• Round three takes place in chapter 27 where Jacob connives to steal the blessing from his brother.

Isaac's Favourite Son

This section discusses how both Isaac and Rebecca had a favourite child which caused division within the family.

• Isaac loved Esau because he was a man's man who loved hunting and being outdoors.

• Rebecca preferred Jacob because he was more cultured and not a man of the outdoors like Esau.

• This favouritism widened the gap between these two boys as time went on.

Going Against God's Will

In this section, we learn that despite God's will for Jacob to receive the blessing, Isaac wants to make sure that doesn't happen.

• It was God who already said that the elder Esau will serve the younger that is the younger Jacob will get the blessing he's gonna reverse traditional law that was God's order.

• There is a real lesson in watching out for first impressions that we might have. Our first impressions can be misleading if we're going by image or feelings.

God Looks at the Heart

In this section, the speaker talks about how God chooses people based on their heart and not their appearance. He gives an example of David being chosen as king over his older brothers.

Appearance vs Heart

• Samuel thought Eliab was the Lord's anointed because of his appearance, but God rejected him.

• David was chosen by God to be king even though he was despised and rejected by his family.

• People tend to judge others based on their appearance, which is a mistake because our first impression may not be the right choice.

The Importance of Image in Politics

In this section, the speaker talks about how image became more important than crucial issues in American politics after John F. Kennedy won a televised presidential debate against Richard Nixon.

The Kennedy-Nixon Debate

• Kennedy won the election because of his appearance during the televised debate.

• Nixon looked sickly and pale while Kennedy looked tanned and confident.

• This debate changed American politics as people started focusing more on image rather than crucial issues.

Isaac's Blessing

In this section, the speaker talks about Isaac's plan to bless Esau with venison before he dies. He also mentions that Isaac is 137 years old but thinks he is going to die soon.

Isaac's Plan

• Isaac wants Esau to hunt game for him so that he can have a great meal and bless him before he dies.

• Isaac admits that he is old and doesn't know when he will die.

• Isaac tells Esau to take his weapons and go out to the field.

Isaac's Age

• Isaac is 137 years old and his eyesight is failing.

• The speaker mentions that the Sunday-school view of Isaac blessing his young sons is incorrect because they are actually 77 years old in this chapter.

• Despite thinking he is going to die soon, Isaac lives for another 43 years.

Rebekah's Scheme

In this section, we see Rebekah eavesdropping on Isaac and Esau's conversation. She then instructs Jacob to deceive his father into giving him the blessing instead of Esau.

Rebekah Eavesdrops

• Isaac calls for Esau to make him savory food.

• Rebekah overhears the conversation from a distance.

Rebekah Instructs Jacob

• Rebecca tells Jacob about Isaac's request.

• She instructs Jacob to bring her two choice kids of goats so she can prepare them as savory food.

• The plan is for Jacob to take the prepared food to Isaac and receive the blessing meant for Esau.

The Danger of Helping God Out

• Rebecca tries to help God fulfill His prophecy by manipulating events.

• This is a trap that many people fall into - knowing the will of God but not doing it in the way of God.

• Examples include Moses killing an Egyptian and David trying to move the Ark of the Covenant without following proper procedures.

• We should trust that God will fulfill His promises without our interference.

Uzzah's Mistake

In this section, we see David attempting to move the Ark of the Covenant without following proper procedures. Uzzah touches the Ark when it starts tipping over, resulting in his death.

Moving the Ark Improperly

• David attempts to move the Ark from Philistine country up to Jerusalem without following proper procedures.

• He puts it on a cart with two people, one in front and one in back.

• As they're going down a shaky road, Uzzah touches the Ark when it starts tipping over.

The Danger of Helping God Out

• Uzzah's mistake is an example of trying to help God maintain His composure.

• We should trust that God will fulfill His promises without our interference.

The Importance of Doing Things God's Way

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of doing things God's way, even if it may not seem efficient or practical to us.

The Ark of the Covenant

• The Ark was carried by priests on their shoulders, not on a cart for efficiency.

• What is considered efficient by the world may not be effective in God's standards.

• It's important to wait on the Lord and seek His will.

Jacob and Esau

• Jacob is worried about being found out as a deceiver, rather than being concerned about his deceitful nature.

• Reputation is what other people think you are, character is who you know you are.

• Rebecca helps Jacob deceive Isaac into giving him Esau's blessing.

Trickery

• Rebecca puts goat skins on Jacob's hands and neck to trick Isaac into thinking he is Esau.

Overall, the speaker emphasizes that it is important to do things according to God's will and way, even if it may not seem practical or efficient. He also highlights the importance of having good character rather than just a good reputation.

Using God's Name in Vain

In this section, the speaker discusses how Jacob and his mother used God's name to further their own agenda. He explains that using God's name lightly on our lips is taking the Lord's name in vain.

Taking the Lord's Name in Vain

• Taking the Lord's name in vain means never taking the Lord's name lightly on your lips.

• People use God's name to further their own agenda, which is taking the Lord's name in vain.

• We should be careful not to use God's name to further our own agenda.

Isaac Blesses Jacob

In this section, the speaker talks about how Jacob deceived his father Isaac into blessing him instead of his brother Esau. He emphasizes that Isaac trusted his feelings rather than what he heard and warns against being deceived by our senses.

Deceiving Isaac

• Jacob deceives his father by wearing animal skins to feel like his brother Esau.

• Isaac blesses Jacob because he feels like Esau but hears Jacob speak.

Trusting Our Senses

• Our senses can fail us, and we can be deceived if we don't use the revealed Word of God as our guide.

• We shouldn't rely on our feelings or experiences alone to determine truth. Instead, we should look to what Jesus taught and what is amplified in Acts.

Speaking in Tongues and the Blessing of Isaac

In this section, the speaker discusses speaking in tongues and the blessing of Isaac. He explains that speaking in tongues was never practiced or mentioned by Jesus or in the Epistles. The ultimate criteria is to trust the word heard rather than feelings. The speaker then goes on to discuss how Isaac blessed Jacob instead of Esau, despite Esau being the firstborn son.

Speaking in Tongues

• Speaking in tongues was never practiced or mentioned by Jesus or in the Epistles.

• Trusting the word heard is more important than trusting feelings because they can be deceptive.

The Blessing of Isaac

• Isaac blesses Jacob instead of Esau, despite Esau being the firstborn son.

• The blessing given to Jacob has similarities with God's promise to Abraham and what Abraham gave to Isaac.

• Under normal circumstances, according to Jewish law, a father's verbal blessing could not be revoked once it had been given.

• When Esau arrives with his savory food for his father, he realizes that he has already blessed Jacob and cannot revoke it.

Faith Birthed in Jacob and Esau

In this section, the speaker discusses how faith was birthed in Jacob and Esau. He talks about how God does what he wants, even in dysfunctional families. The speaker also explains the difference between a natural man and a spiritual man.

Birth of Faith

• Faith was birthed when Jacob found out that he had been beaten at his own game by God.

• Proverbs 19 verse 21 sums up the sovereignty of God - "There are many plans in a man's heart, nevertheless the Lord's counsel that will stand."

• Esau cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry when he realized that Jacob had taken away his blessing.

• Esau despised spiritual things while Jacob appreciated them but went about getting them the wrong way.

Natural Man vs Spiritual Man

• A natural man is governed by the flesh and doesn't care about spiritual things.

• The average worldly person despises spiritual things while a carnal believer uses fleshly means to arrive at a spiritual end.

Blessing for Esau

• Isaac tells Esau that his dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth and of the dew of heaven from above.

• By your sword you shall live, you have to fight for everything you get, and you shall serve your brother.

The Battle Between Israel and Esau's Descendants

This section discusses the ongoing conflict between Israel and Esau's descendants, including their subjugation, rebellion, and forced conversion to Judaism.

Subjugation of Esau's Descendants

• King Saul subjugated Esau's descendants in 1 Samuel chapter 14.

• King Solomon exacted taxes from them as a vassal state.

• The Nabataeans pushed out Esau's descendants from their land southeast of the Dead Sea, forcing them to settle in Judah under Jewish rule.

Forced Conversion to Judaism

• Maccabee ruler John Hyrcanus forced Esau's descendants to convert to Judaism and keep Jewish law while living in Judah.

• Herod the Great, who was called the king of the Jews by the Roman government, killed all babies in Bethlehem trying to kill Christ.

God's Sovereign Choice

This section discusses God's sovereign choice in predestination and how it relates to Jacob and Esau.

God's Love for Jacob and Hatred for Esau

• Malachi chapter 1 states that God loved Jacob but hated Esau without explanation.

• Despite Jacob being a cheat and conniver, God made a declaration before they were born that he preferred him over his brother.

Esau Hates Jacob

• After Isaac blessed Jacob instead of Esau, Esau hated Jacob and planned to kill him.

• Rebekah warned Jacob and told him to flee to her brother Laban in Haran until Esau's fury turned away.

Backfiring of Fleshly Energy

This section discusses the consequences of relying on fleshly energy instead of waiting on God.

Rebekah's Plan Backfires

• Rebekah's plan for Jacob to flee to Laban for a few days backfired when he stayed there for two decades.

• She died without ever seeing her son again, making the last years of her life miserable and lonely.

The Influence of Parents

In this section, the speaker talks about the influence of parents on their children's lives and how it can shape their destiny.

The Consequences of Poor Parental Influence

• Rebecca was weary of her life because Esau married Canaanite pagan girls who she thought were a bad influence.

• Jacob will be deceived by Laban after deceiving his father. He will have to work 14 years for his wife, and his own sons will deceive him in selling Joseph to the Midianites.

The Importance of Good Parental Influence

• Like father like son or daughter, the influence of a parent through example in life will mark a child's destiny for years to come.

Living with Integrity

In this section, the speaker talks about living with integrity and character.

Living with Integrity

• We should strive to be people of integrity and character.

• Our Heavenly Father is perfect, and we should look to scripture as our reliable guide for living.

• We should not be concerned about what seems to others that we are but who we really are before God.

God's Forgiveness and Grace

• God is willing to forgive, show mercy, pour out grace, and cause us through that grace to stand before Him in confidence.

• As we close the service, we should ask God's Spirit to search us and see if there's anything wicked in us and lead us in the way everlasting.