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How do Christians reconcile that Jacob conspired with his mother and stole the birthright from Esau?

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Genesis 27 > 15And Rebekah took the finest clothes in the house that belonged to > her older son Esau, and she put them on her younger son Jacob. 16She > also put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth > part of his neck. 17Then she handed her son Jacob the tasty food and > bread she had made. > > 18So Jacob went to his father and said, “My father.” > > “Here I am!” he answered. “Which one are you, my son?” > > 19Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau, your firstborn. I have done as > you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may > bless me.” > > 20But Isaac asked his son, “How did you ever find it so quickly, my > son?” > > “Because the LORD your God brought it to me,” he replied. In the description above, Jacob and his mother clearly conspire to steal Esau's birthright blessing. We also remember that Jacob took advantage of Esau's hunger by selling him a pot of stew for his birthright prior to this. Jacob even lies when asked how he managed to get the game so soon telling his father that God provided it. 1. How does one reconcile that Jacob obtained the birthright with conspiracy, lies and deceit? In considering your answer note Isaiah 61...particularly Verses 10&11 > The Year of the LORD’s Favor (Luke 4:16–30) > > 1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, > > because the LORD has anointed Me > > to preach good news to the poor. > > He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, > > to proclaim liberty to the captives > > and freedom to the prisoners,a > > 2to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favorb > > and the day of our God’s vengeance, > > to comfort all who mourn, > > 3to console the mourners in Zion— > > to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, > > the oil of joy for mourning, > > and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. > > So they will be called oaks of righteousness, > > the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. > > 4They will rebuild the ancient ruins; > > they will restore the places long devastated; > > they will renew the ruined cities, > > the desolations of many generations. > > 5Strangers will stand and feed your flocks, > > and foreigners will be your plowmen and vinedressers. > > 6But you will be called the priests of the LORD; > > they will speak of you as ministers of our God; > > you will feed on the wealth of nations, > > and you will boast in their riches. > > 7Instead of shame, My people will have a double portion, > > and instead of humiliation, they will rejoice in their share; > > and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, > > and everlasting joy will be theirs. > > 8For I, the LORD, love justice; > > I hate robbery and iniquity; > > in My faithfulness I will give them their recompense > > and make an everlasting covenant with them. > > 9Their descendants will be known among the nations, > > and their offspring among the peoples. > > All who see them will acknowledge > > that they are a people the LORD has blessed. > > > 10I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, > > > > my soul will exult in my God; > > > > for He has clothed me with garments of salvation > > > > and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness And the description Paul gives us in Hebrews chapter 4:16 > 16Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may > obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. There seems to be a similarity there, Jacob covered his true identity with skins and the saved do the same in the judgement. However Jacob doeent appear to me to have walked in boldly before his father...he was terrified he might be found out! Also, after the blessing was given and the deception revealed, Jacob spent many years in excile fearing for his life...he was worried his brother would find him and kill him. It seems to me that the blessing did not serve any purpose for Jacob until he recieved the forgiveness of his brother many years later (God changed his name to Israel around that time). Given the above, how do we reconcile that Jacob clearly engaged in sinful behaviour in order to recieve the promise of salvation and thatin the example given in Hebrews, a little trickery is still manifest in that we take on those same sheep skins seemingly to hide our true nature and obtain grace?
Asked by adam (215 rep)
Oct 11, 2024, 08:37 PM
Last activity: Oct 17, 2024, 06:46 AM