“By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.” (Hebrews 11:20)
Those who are acquainted with the Isaac of the book of Genesis know that his faith was far from perfect. But his faith was directed toward the right object, the unconditional promise of the living God. This faith enabled him to impart to his sons the promise of a meaningful future for them and for their descendants.
The start of a new year has us looking to the future with hope. We want to be healthy, happy, useful and secure. We want our children and grandchildren to flourish in life and work. We want God to bless them in 2024.
In Genesis 27 Isaac is described as old and feeble. He is dependent on others and apparently in bad health. He is not ageing well. He believes his time is limited and before he dies he wants to impart the patriarchal blessing to his son. Here is where his faith falls short.
God had explicitly told him that his son Jacob was to receive the primary blessing. But Isaac wanted to give it to Esau, The two sons of Isaac were a study in contrasts. Esau, the favorite son, was a rugged outdoorsman. He was a man of the world, lacking in spiritual perception.
The fair skinned, gentle Jacob was his mother’s favorite. Isaac and Rebekah had a difficult marriage. It is possible to see in the family dynamic a loss of respect, a lack of trust, and a pattern of deception. Rebekah persuaded Jacob to deceive his father into giving him the covenant blessing.
Surprisingly, the Lord used the scheming of Rebekah and Jacob to cause “all things to work together for good” (Romans 8:28). God, in his wisdom and providence allowed Isaac’s wrong plan to bless Esau to be upset. The irrevocable word of prophecy was spoken over Jacob instead. (Esau also received a lesser, limited blessing.)
Despite the human weakness in this story, there are some words of hope for us, as we begin a new year. May they stimulate faith for the future.
The first practical lesson: never lose hope. Despite limited faith and incomplete obedience, Isaac did not lose his trust in the covenant promise of God. This enabled him to pass along that promise to his sons, the promise of God’s future blessing.
A second principle that we see in this story has to do with human limitation. Isaac’s physical blindness was one reason he could be so easily tricked. At the same time the story shows us how God can work to accomplish his will despite our weakness, short-sightedness, disabilities and disappointments.
Thirdly, an unhappy secularist may see life as without meaning and purpose, and death as a desirable alternative. On the other hand, the Christian may understand, as Tim Stafford has written, “the existence of another world, the world of God’s love toward which our lives are being shaped.” Belief in that other world gives us faith for the future.
Pastor Randy Faulkner