Today’s Reading: Genesis 25-27; Psalm 31

Since the beginning of time, there has been a fascination with twins. When a woman is pregnant with multiples, we consider her pregnancy special and we all lean in to see the similarity between her children. Scientists have studied the physiological implications of sharing a womb, and psychoanalysts have built theories around nature versus nurture through their study of twins.

While twins seem to tweak our curiosity, they often bring fear to the woman carrying them. The new mother can easily feel overwhelmed with the thought of carrying, and then caring for, two babies at the same time. For Rebekah, it meant calamity. It meant two siblings struggling with each other before they were even born. After struggling with infertility, the Lord heard Isaac’s prayer and blessed Rebekah, saying to her:

“The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son.” – Genesis 25:23

Sure enough, Jacob was born pursuing his brother’s position as firstborn, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel. As they grew up, their differences increased with Esau becoming a skilled hunter of wild animals and Jacob staying closer to home to tend his father’s tamed flocks.

Showing he had little regard for his birthright and that he was driven more by his physical desires, Esau traded his privileges as first-born when Jacob offered his hungry brother a bowl of stew for the precious inheritance. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left (25:27-34), only to eventually be hungry again. He gave up his blessed position for temporary pleasure, the consequences of which changed his life.

ESAU’S FEAR: Fear of not getting what he wanted when he wanted it caused Esau to jeopardize all that was rightfully his as the firstborn son.

Isaac also allowed fear to jeopardize God’s blessing. There was a time of famine and Isaac moved his family to Gerar. The Lord told him to stay there instead of going on to Egypt. God promised Isaac that He would be with him and bless his family. Just as He told Abraham, God promised to give this land to Isaac and to make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky.

Despite this promise, Isaac feared the Philistines would kill him in order to obtain his beautiful wife, so he told everyone that Rebekah was his sister (just like his father had done). Isaac’s fear of death put his wife in danger and God’s blessing in jeopardy. King Abimelech (not to be confused with King Abimelek who was deceived in the same way by Abraham) saw Rebekah in Isaac’s arms one day and confronted his lie. Instead of sending Isaac and his family away, the king declared protection over them. And once more, God blessed His people in spite of their great fear and small faith.

ISAAC’S FEAR: Despite the promise of God’s blessing, Isaac foolishly let fear guide his decisions. He risked God’s plan for the life of his family out of fear for his own.

Although Rebekah remembered the Lord’s prophecy that her older son would serve her younger son, her fear that Esau would receive the blessing of the firstborn from Isaac caused her to intervene and choose deception instead of faith. Jacob willfully followed Rebekah’s plan of deception, pretending to be Esau and tricking Isaac. When Esau learned of this, he grieved his loss, and a hate for his brother began to grow. For his protection, Rebekah sent Jacob away and probably never saw him again.

REBEKAH’S FEAR: Rebekah let her fear get in the way of her faith, causing her to lose what she loved most. If she had trusted God’s provision of His promise, she might have grown old watching Jacob receive God’s blessings. But instead of faith she chose fear, using manipulation and deception to pull God’s plan into place.

BUT GOD’S PLAN NOT GOD’S WAY IS NEVER GOD’S WILL

What areas of my life am I letting fear control? In what ways is my fear getting in the way of my faith? Is my fear of not getting what I want standing between me and God’s perfect plan for my life?

Lord, teach me to trust in you for every provision. May your promises and blessings on my life pour out directly from your hand. Teach me to let go of my attempts to control and manipulate the circumstances around me. Help me to simply open up my hands to receive what you want in my life. Forgive me for the many times I let fear get in the way of my faith. God, I trust you. You are my Provider and my Protector. In you I place my trust, giving you my family and my future. Amen.

I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. – Psalm 31:7

But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!”
My future is in your hands. – Psalm 31:14-15a

So be strong and courageous, all who put your hope in the Lord. – Psalm 31:24