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SINS POWER TO DECEIVE
Abraham begot Isaac. Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. (Genesis 25:19-21 NKJV)
Abraham begot Isaac. Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. (Genesis 25:19-21 NKJV)
Abraham had a son named Isaac, who went on to have twin sons of his own. One was named Esau and the other was named Jacob. Even though they were twins, Esau was born ahead of Jacob, which counted for a lot in biblical times because the firstborn was entitled to receive the birthright, or spiritual mantle, from his father.
After a few years, it became clear to Esau's mother that he wasn't the one to carry on the spiritual legacy established by Abraham. He was alive to the world yet dead to the things of God. Surely, Jacob would be a better standard-bearer for the family. So Rebekah disguised Jacob as Esau, and she tricked her husband into passing the birthright on to the younger son instead.
In hindsight, it's clear that Jacob was a better candidate than Esau. But we still can't get away from the fact that something wrong happened here. Deception was used to try and advance God's agenda. People resorted to sin to produce something righteous. This shows us how subtle and deceptive sin can be. Here we have Rebekah and Jacob doing something so wrong...something that they're convinced is so right! In an ironic twist, the deceivers were also the ones who were deceived-deceived into thinking their wrong was right.
Did God ultimately manage to redeem the situation? He did, but there were some painful consequences. Jacob ran away from home because Esau was so angry with him. The house was now divided, the brothers were now enemies, and Rebekah would never see Jacob again.
What we need to take away from this story is that sin is deceptive. So much so that it has the ability to make us think wrong is actually right.
Discuss, Dig, Decide
Discuss as a group the danger of mixing up right and wrong. Read Isaiah 5:20 and share some modern day examples of this verse. How do you see the devil deceiving those around you?
Dig into Genesis 25:19–34. How does this story demonstrate the danger of mixing up right and wrong? What motivated Jacob to do what he did? Dig further into Genesis Chapter 27. Why did Rebekah do what she did? How did God ultimately redeem this situation?
Decide as a group to minister to someone who has been hurt by the devil’s deception. Who do you know who has recently been under the enemy’s attack and has lost discernment between right and wrong? Determine the best way to lovingly confront and minister to this person.
