Therefore, do this…

 

Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” But the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son and said to him, “Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban my brother in Haran and stay with him a while, until your brother’s fury turns away— until your brother’s anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send and bring you from there. Why should I be bereft of you both in one day?” (Genesis 27:41–45)

At least three times Jacob is told by his father, or his mother, to obey them. The first was Isaac’s command. Thinking he was talking to Esau, he told his son to prepare food for him. Jacob thought his father would realize the deception but his mother told him to obey. The third was when his mother learned that Esau planned to kill him. 

Even though it was not right to lie to his father, nor to earlier rob his brother of his birthright, there is a principle here that didn’t stop God’s plan to use these events to shape the future. The NT states the principle:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1–4)

The Ten Commandments also say to honor parents. Perhaps Jacob was trying to do this in his earlier concern about doing what his mother said, but the Bible is plain: a child owes obedience to a parent in all areas except those that contradict the revealed law of God. It was not right to lie to Isaac, even though his mother told him to do it. But it was right to flee!

This event does not condemn Jacob’s father. He was oblivious and deceived. The mother approved the deception and took advantage of the likelihood that Jacob had been raised to obey his parents. However, Jacob also knew this deception was wrong before God, but he seemed more concerned about what would happen to him if he was caught:

Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him and bring a curse upon myself and not a blessing.” His mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice. . . .” (Genesis 27:12–13)

Yet in all of this deceptive behavior, God protected Jacob. This son would be father to Judah and in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. The big picture of redemption used these selfish decisions made in the OT story, showing how God can use anything for His purposes. 

Yet this is never an excuse that it is okay to do such things. The NT does say, “obey your parents IN THE LORD” while at the same time honoring them, not with lies and deceptions but living in the instruction and the godly enablement of the Holy Spirit. Jacob fled as he was told.

PRAY: My parents are no longer alive, but Jesus, I am thankful that You made them easy to honor. My prayers today are for those who live with difficult challenges because the children are being “provoked” by ungodly moms and dads. Also, may no one think it is okay to disobey You in order to please or appease their parents or anyone else. Amen.

No excuses . . .

 

My excuse-list is very convincing. ‘Sorry Lord, I’m too old to do that. Or I am too busy with all else You gave me to do. Or I’m not gifted in that area. Or I cannot do everything. Or let someone better equipped do it.’

He listens to my prayers but not my excuses. Why is that? It is because I belong to Him and have no business telling Him what He wants me to do. He will provide what I need to enable me to do it. I know He is capable of that, making my excuses the noise of disobedience.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)

God sent Jesus to pay a high price to redeem me. I belong to Him and I know what He is telling me to do: “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” (John 10:14) This is a precious truth — but there are times when He tells me what to do and out flow the excuses, like a rebellious employee or a bratty child. He persists . . .

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine. (Exodus 19:5)

He paid the price to redeem me from the bondage of sin and death. He tells church leaders: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28) He tells me:

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body . . . . You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. (1 Corinthians 6:19–20; 7:23)

He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:14)

So where is that zeal for good works? It could be that excuses drown the fire. Or lack of sleep? Or using up energy on useless activities that He didn’t put on my job description? I’m not a new believer yet wonder why it takes so long to learn to listen and obey without such hiccups. God says, “The people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise” (Isaiah 43:21) I suspect my real reason for balking is that I want to do things that will gain praise for me and when God presents a tough assignment that totally requires His enabling, I know none of the praise can possible be for me, so I make an excuse to say no to the assignment.

PRAY: Jesus, I can be such a vain sissy. This next task is not my choice, but I know You are asking it and I know that I belong to You. I must quit making excuses and begin. Forgive all the shenanigans and excuse-making and grant me enough grace to take the first steps in faith that You will come alongside and keep me moving in the direction You want me to go, that You might be given great glory.

PONDER: Read John 10. Verse 4 says Jesus will go before me. Verse 10 says His way gives an abundant life. He laid down His life for me and will protect me. Verse 16 hints that could use this to bring others into His fold. My excuses pale in the light of the possibilities! 😥