By Faith

Dear class,

Today's readings are taken from Genesis 27,28 and Romans 9:16-33.

In the Genesis passage, we read of the deception of Rebekah and Jacob.

We sometimes wonder why was Isaac so blinded? It was a harebrained scheme cooked up by Rebekah. I mean, goat skins to pass off as hair? And of course there was no way to disguise Jacob's voice with the existing technology in those days, which of course, as the bible tells us, Jacob picked out immediately (thus also showing Jacob was very much alert and lucid and in his right mind). I've had wild venison and mutton chops before and I can safely say, anyone who've been pretty much raised on these meats can easily tell the difference between the two! Hmm...perhaps Rebekah cooked the Jewish equivalent of mutton rendang! So why, Isaac? Why did you bless Jacob instead of Esau, when you knew behind your head it was probably Jacob and not Esau?

As amazing as it sounds, Paul tells us in Heb 11, the great chapter on faith -
Heb 11:20  By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
What? So does "faith" mean just blindly following even though the odds are stacked up otherwise?

Firstly, of course we note that Jacob was not wrong to stake his claim on Jacob's first blessing. After all, it was Esau who had sold his birthright to Jacob in the first place. We note in Gen 27:32 he actually forgot about the whole incident. As a side track, this is one of the reasons why the bible exhorts us to be sober (1Pe 5:8; Ti 2:12). When we are "drunk" either with intoxicating substances or mirth or anger or material pursuits or whatsoever that is worldly in nature, our judgment is clouded and very often we don't even realise we've made a mistake. In this case, Esau was probably too hungry to care what he actually said!

Secondly, and more importantly, we need to understand the concept of faith. Let's revisit some passages:
Heb 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

We've covered this on a couple of occasions. Faith is based on EVIDENCE. It is built upon trust in God's word.
So where was Isaac's evidence? Observe Gen 25:23 - And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
No doubt, Isaac would have been privy to this, even though it was first revealed to Rebekah. That was in the back of Isaac's mind. He preferred Esau as a son, but he also knew God had indicated who shall serve and who shall be served. Thus, through trust in God's word, BY FAITH, Isaac blessed Jacob.

Let us continue to allow God's word to guide us continually, that we too may live by faith. For the just shall live by faith (Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:38)

The Lord bless our day ahead.

in Him
Paul


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But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. ~ Acts 22:16