Whose Blessing Do You Want?
Wanting what someone else has is a common wish we all share. At some point in our lives, we have seen someone that was more successful than we were or had more money and possessions. We wondered how they got there and wished we could trade places. You went to a party and there was that one person that everyone loved and wanted to stand next to because they told the best stories or said the right thing which made those around them feel better. As you watched them interact with others you wanted to have that charm and ability. Why does God allow other people to be charming and successful but not me? (yes, I just admitted I’m not charming or successful) I wish I could have their blessing.
This is not a new thought or desire. One of the first stories in the Bible the serpent tempted Adam and Eve with the alure “if you eat this fruit, you will be like God knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5 paraphrased) Adam and Eve knew God and wanted his blessing so they ate the fruit. We all know how that turned out. Later in Genesis 25 we find the story of Jacob and Easu. Esau was the first born and was scheduled to receive Isaac’s blessing. This is much like the kings and queens where their thrown is passed to their first born. Jacob wanted Easu’s blessing. In Genesis 25: 29-34 we see an interaction between the brothers where Jacob has cooked a meal and Easu has just come in from a day of hunting. Easu is hungry and tired. He asks Jacob for some food. Jacob said he would give him food if Easu was willing to trade his birthright. This was not something to joke around about but Easu agreed, and Jacob fed him.
Fast forward to the end of Isaac’s life. It is time for him to give the blessing to his son. Genesis 27 tells the story. Isaac tells Easu to go out and hunt some wild game, cook it, and serve it to him so he can give him the blessing. Rebekah, Easu and Jacob’s mother overheard this. She wanted Jacob to get the blessing not Easu. Rebekah and Jacob devised a plan to deceive Isaac. Isaac was not able to see so they cooked up a spicy stew and wrapped Jacob’s arms with goat skin so he would feel as hairy as his brother. When he approached his father for the blessing his father asked in Verse 18 “Who is it?”. (note: this is not the last time he will be asked this question.) Jacob wanted Easu’s blessing, so he said in verse 19 “I am Easu your firstborn.” The bible describes how Isaac felt his arms and smelled his clothes because the voice sounded like Jacob not Easu. In Genesis 27: 27 Isaac finally gives Jacob the blessing of Easu. Jacob took Easu’s birthright and blessing.
Jacob has to run away from there in fear of Easu. Years pass with Jacob living in a foreign land. Jacob now has two wives and several children. He has built up herds and flocks, but he misses home. He decides to go back to the land of his birth and face his brother Easu. In Genesis 32 we find Jacob and his very large caravan traveling and about to meet Easu. Jacob spends the night alone. This section of Scripture is titled “Jacob Wrestles with God”. Verse 24 says that Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. It was an epic wrestling match. It went all night long and when dawn was about to break the man wrenched Jacob’s hip but Jacob would not let the man go. The man demanded to be let go but Jacob refused to let him go untill he blessed him. The man asked him “what is your name?” flash back to Jacob’s conversation with his father when his father about to pronounce a blessing Isaac asked, “who is it?”. It is as if the man were asking Who’s blessing do you want this time?
Jacob had learned his lesson and gave the man his own name. The man blessed Jacob in verse 28 of chapter 32 and renamed Jacob, “Israel”. Today we know Israel as a strong nation, a blessed nation. That was the blessing intended for Jacob. Who’s blessing do you want today. When you pray to God are you praying for God to bless you the way he knows is best for you or the way you want it.
Ask God for your blessing. The one he has for you today. When God asked Jacob who’s blessing do you want and Jacob answered with his own name, God made him a nation.
