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Text to read: Genesis 27:18 He went to his father and said, “My father?” He replied, “Here I am; who are you, my son?” 19 Ya‘akov said to his father, “I am ‘Esav your firstborn. I’ve done what you asked me to do. Get up now, sit down, eat the game, and then give me your blessing.” 20 Yitz’chak said to his son, “How did you find it so quickly, my son?” He answered, “Adonai your God made it happen that way.” 21 Yitz’chak said to Ya‘akov, “Come here, close to me, so I can touch you, my son, and know whether you are in fact my son ‘Esav or not.” 22 Ya‘akov approached Yitz’chak his father, who touched him and said, “The voice is Ya‘akov’s voice, but the hands are ‘Esav’s hands.” 23 However, he didn’t detect him; because his hands were hairy like his brother ‘Esav’s hands; so he gave him his blessing. 24 He asked, “Are you really my son ‘Esav?” And he replied, “I am.” 25 He said, “Bring it here to me, and I will eat my son’s game, so that I can give you my blessing.” So he brought it up to him, and he ate; he also brought him wine, and he drank. 26 Then his father Yitz’chak said to him, “Come close now, and kiss me, my son.” 27 He approached and kissed him. Yitz’chak smelled his clothes and blessed Ya‘akov with these words: “See, my son smells like a field which Adonai has blessed. (vi) 28 So may God give you dew from heaven, the richness of the earth, and grain and wine in abundance. 29 May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. May you be lord over your kinsmen, let your mother’s descendants bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!”
30 But as soon as Yitz’chak had finished giving his blessing to Ya‘akov, when Ya‘akov had barely left his father’s presence, ‘Esav his brother came in from his hunting. 31 He too had prepared a tasty meal and brought it to his father, and now he said to his father, “Let my father get up and eat from his son’s game, so that you may give me your blessing.” 32 Yitz’chak his father said to him, “Who are you?” and he answered, “I am your son, your firstborn, ‘Esav.” 33 Yitz’chak began trembling uncontrollably and said, “Then who was it that took game and brought it to me? I ate it all just before you came, and I gave my blessing to him. That’s the truth, and the blessing must stand.”
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Genesis 27:18-33
Verse 19
[19] And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.
And Jacob said, I am Esau — Who would have thought this plain man could have played such a part? His mother having put him in the way of it, he applies himself to those methods which he had never accustomed himself to, but had always conceived an abhorrence of. But lying is soon learned. I wonder how honest Jacob could so readily turn his tongue to say, I am Esau thy first-born: and when his father asked him, Genesis 27:24. Art thou my very son Esau? to reply I am. How could he say, I have done as thou badst me, when he had received no command from his father, but was doing as his mother bid him? How could he say, Eat of my venison, when he knew it came not from the field, but from the fold? But especially I wonder how he could have the forehead to father it upon God, and to use his name in the cheat.
Verse 20
[20] And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the LORD thy God brought it to me.
The Lord thy God brought it to me — Is this Jacob? It is certainly written not for our imitation, but our admonition, Let him that, standeth, take heed lest he fall. Now let us see how Isaac gave Jacob his blessing.
Verse 27
[27] And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:
He kissed him; in token of particular affection to him. Those that are blessed of God are kissed with the kisses of his mouth, and they do by love and loyalty kiss the son,Psalms 2:12. 2. He praised him. Upon occasion of the sweet smell of his garments he said, See the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord| hath blessed - That is, like that of the most fragrant flowers and spices. Three things Jacob is here blessed with, (1.) Plenty, Genesis 27:28. Heaven and earth concurring to make him rich. (2.) Power, Genesis 27:29. Particularly dominion over his brethren, viz. Esau and his posterity. (3.) Prevalency with God, and a great interest in heaven, Cursed be every one that curseth thee - Let God be a friend to all thy friends, and an enemy to all thine enemies. Now, certainly more is comprised in this blessing than appears at first; it must amount to an entail of the promise of the Messiah: that was in the patriarchal dialect the blessing; something spiritual doubtless is included in it. First, That from him should come the Messiah, that should have a sovereign dominion on earth. See Numbers 24:19. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, the star and scepter, Numbers 24:17. Jacob's dominion over Esau was to be only typical of this, Genesis 49:10. Secondly, That from him should come the church that should be particularly owned and favoured by Heaven. It was part of the blessing of Abraham when he was first called to be the father of the faithful, Genesis 12:3. I will bless them that bless thee; therefore when Isaac afterwards confirmed the blessing to Jacob, he called it the blessing of Abraham, Genesis 28:4.
Verse 33
[33] And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.
Isaac trembled exceedingly — Those that follow the choice of their own affections rather than the dictates of the Divine will, involve themselves in such perplexities as these. But he soon recovers himself, and ratifies the blessing he had given to Jacob, I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed - He might have recalled it, but now at last he is sensible he was in an error when he designed it for Esau. Either recollecting the Divine oracle, or having found himself more than ordinarily filled with the Holy Ghost when he gave the blessing to Jacob, he perceived that God did as it were say Amen to it._____________________________
Daily Devotions:
Monday, July 27, 2015
Text to read: Genesis 27:18-33
- In Gen. 27:18-33, Jacob tricks his father into giving him Esau’s blessing and inheritance.
- What do you think motivated this action?
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Text to read: Genesis 27:18-33
- What family dynamics do you see at work; is there jealousy, favoritism, or injustice?
- How do these develop in our own families?
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Text to read: Genesis 27:18-33
- In our families what are some of the ways in which we mistreat our siblings, parents, or elders?
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Text to read: Genesis 27:18-33
- Jacob made the mistake of stealing from his brother.
- Eventually Esau had to find it within his heart to forgive him.
- Do you need to seek or offer forgiveness to/from someone?
Friday, July 31, 2015
Text to read: Genesis 27:18-33
- Jacob’s blessing included four parts: abundance, security, leadership, and covenantal relationships.
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Text to read: Genesis 27:18-33
- A mother or father need not be biological.
- Has anyone mentored you and helped you become a better person?
- How do you honor and thank them?
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Sermon theme: Justice is "Not."
Text to read: Genesis 27:18-33
- Today, pray for a family member who is estranged or close to you.
- Ask that they might receive the abundant blessings of God.
The First United Methodist Church
2111 Camino del Rio South
San Diego, California 92108, United States
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Sermon Story "" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 2 August 2015 with Scripture Text: Genesis 27:18 He went to his father and said, “My father?” He replied, “Here I am; who are you, my son?” 19 Ya‘akov said to his father, “I am ‘Esav your firstborn. I’ve done what you asked me to do. Get up now, sit down, eat the game, and then give me your blessing.” 20 Yitz’chak said to his son, “How did you find it so quickly, my son?” He answered, “Adonai your God made it happen that way.” 21 Yitz’chak said to Ya‘akov, “Come here, close to me, so I can touch you, my son, and know whether you are in fact my son ‘Esav or not.” 22 Ya‘akov approached Yitz’chak his father, who touched him and said, “The voice is Ya‘akov’s voice, but the hands are ‘Esav’s hands.” 23 However, he didn’t detect him; because his hands were hairy like his brother ‘Esav’s hands; so he gave him his blessing. 24 He asked, “Are you really my son ‘Esav?” And he replied, “I am.” 25 He said, “Bring it here to me, and I will eat my son’s game, so that I can give you my blessing.” So he brought it up to him, and he ate; he also brought him wine, and he drank. 26 Then his father Yitz’chak said to him, “Come close now, and kiss me, my son.” 27 He approached and kissed him. Yitz’chak smelled his clothes and blessed Ya‘akov with these words: “See, my son smells like a field which Adonai has blessed. (vi) 28 So may God give you dew from heaven, the richness of the earth, and grain and wine in abundance. 29 May peoples serve you and nations bow down to you. May you be lord over your kinsmen, let your mother’s descendants bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!”
30 But as soon as Yitz’chak had finished giving his blessing to Ya‘akov, when Ya‘akov had barely left his father’s presence, ‘Esav his brother came in from his hunting. 31 He too had prepared a tasty meal and brought it to his father, and now he said to his father, “Let my father get up and eat from his son’s game, so that you may give me your blessing.” 32 Yitz’chak his father said to him, “Who are you?” and he answered, “I am your son, your firstborn, ‘Esav.” 33 Yitz’chak began trembling uncontrollably and said, “Then who was it that took game and brought it to me? I ate it all just before you came, and I gave my blessing to him. That’s the truth, and the blessing must stand.”
As we look at this passage of Scripture where Jacob with the help of his mother tricked his father Isaac to give him the first born son's blessing. We remember that Jacob was born second to Esau clinging to Easu's heal which resulted in his name being Jacob literally meaning heal clinger or something like this. We remember that when he ws cooking a meal his brother, Esau, came in so famished from coming back from a hunting trip without game and maybe even discouraged asking Jacob for some of his food. Jacob in response asked Esau what he would give him, Jacob, for the food. Esau responded to Jacob who asked for his elder son's birthright giving it to Jacob because he said that his birthright is no good if he is dead from starving to death. Now, Isaac asked Jacob for his favorite meal from the game that Esau hunts and kills and off goes Esau to hunt for the game than prepare the food for his father and receive the blessing. Now, Isaac's wife and mother of both sons overhears and preparess Jacob and the meal that Isaac so loved for Jacob to receive the blessing hat is only for the eldest son. Whether or not this is right or wrong, Jaocb with his mother's assistance has deceived his father and receive the blessing. God did indeed bless this blessing upon Jacob, but how do you feel about this deception? Which son do you relate to or do you relate to the mother or father? How do ou understand this deception in today's world where people deceive others to gain their wealth? How do you realling understand God's desire for his blessings to be upon his children? how do relate to the writings of the Book of Hebrews where the writer says that Jacob was blessed by God and Esau was cursed because Esau despised his birthright blessing for a meal instead of maybe trusting God for the provision? Too often, we look up to people in society who gain wealth by dishonest means while putting down those who have been tricked out of their wealth or even power to live lives worth living. May we seek God's Presence to search our hearts and minds where we may have sinned against God thinking were receiving His blessing rather than curse as we come forward to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the partaking of the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. We come to receive forgiveness for our sins and God's blessing to live Holy lives to please Him in all we say and do the Hymn "Come, Thou Fount of every blessing" by Robert Robinson (1735-1790)
1. Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wand’ring from the face of God;
He, to save my soul from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.
2. O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let that grace, Lord, like a fetter,
Bind my wand’ring heart to Thee.
Teach me, Lord, some rapturous measure,
Meet for me Thy grace to prove,
While I sing the countless treasure
Of my God’s unchanging love.
3. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it;
Prone to leave the God I love:
Take my heart, oh, take and seal it
With Thy Spirit from above.
Rescued thus from sin and danger,
Purchased by the Savior’s blood,
May I walk on earth a stranger,
As a son and heir of God
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Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
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