In His Image Ministries

Saturday July 15 Bible Reading:      Gen. 27: 41 - 46 Topic:                   Comforting Oneself With Evil When Esau saw that he had lost the blessing to his devious brother, he comforted himself with an evil plan to murder him after the death of their father. Rather than reverse his own misfortune, the only effect of his crime would be to deny both his brother and himself their father's blessing. On her part, Rebekah continued to cunningly manipulate her husband Isaac for the benefit of her favoured son. She decided to send Jacob to Laban her brother for his safety from Esau's murderous plan but convinced Isaac that it was to prevent him from marrying one of the pagan women like Esau had done. Rebekah was neither repentant of using human strategies to achieve divine purposes not was she prepared to give up schemi...

Friday July 14 Bible Reading:      Gen. 27: 30 - 40 Topic:                   Esau's Despair In the New Testament, the writer of Hebrews said, "See that no one is sexually immoral or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears." (Heb. 12: 16 - 17) There is clearly a link between Esau's birthright that he sold and the blessing that he missed later in life. Even when his father realized that he hath blessed Jacob "by mistake", one would have thought that he would regret what he did, but he said "I have blessed him . . . . .   yes, and he shall be blessed." (Gen. 27: 32) Words of blessing cannot be withdrawn. Jacob r...

Thursday July 13 Bible Reading:      Gen. 27: 18 - 29 Topic:                   Fulfilling God's Purpose With Human Wisdom God promises us blessings and favour but will never condone our trying to gain them by ungodly means. What Rebekah did not know was that God could still have fulfilled His purpose for Jacob without her assistance. Knowing that her husband was vulnerable because of his poor sight, Rebekah used her intimate knowledge of him to ensure that Jacob got the blessing. Jacob lied to his father twice by claiming that he was Esau and that he came back quickly because God granted him success. Like Jacob many Christians today attribute their success procured illegitimately to God's favour and blessing. Though Jacob got the blessing, he suffered the consequences of his lies. He fled for his life, ...

Wednesday July 12 Bible Reading:      Gen. 27: 1 - 17 Topic:                   Who Is Qualified For The Blessing? Many have blamed Isaac for wanting to bless Esau for the wrong reasons - because he ". . . ..   . . . loved Esau because he ate of his game" (Gen. 25: 28) Some blame Rebekah for manipulating her husband to accomplish God's purpose. Yet others blame Jacob for going along with his mother's ungodly plan. However though they were all wrong in manipulating situations for their selfish ends, it is clear that the blessing was meant for Jacob. Esau had spurned his birthright for a plate of porridge (Gen. 25: 32); and God would not bestow His blessings on those who would not value it. Rebekah knew the prophesies God gave even before the twins were born (Gen. 25: 23) but lacked the faith to trust God to bring them to pa...