The story of Issac blessing Jacob instead of Esau is a sad story because Issac wanted to bless Esau but not Jacob. Issac blessed Jacob as a result of deceit originating from Rebekah their mother who favoured Jacob. As a result of the part that Jacob the surplanter also played in the lying scheme that he and his mother took a part in,we know that in Gen 27: Jacob successfully received the blessing meant for Esau.
I read this story again and the Holy Spirit opened my eyes as to how the enemy operates in our lives. As a child of destiny and purpose, sometimes, you, your parents or those close to you don’t realise it but the enemy can detect you from afar. The enemy is good into looking into peoples future and seeing what child is going to be a successful or favoured or esteemed or be a champion in life. He will then either cut that destiny short or he will find a way to exchange that destiny.
Rebekah knew the importance of Issac blessing his oldest son Esau but because she preferred Jacob, she tricked her husband into blessing Jacob instead. In this story of the Bible, it was the mother who set her children against each other.
In life, it would be the ‘your adversary the devil walks around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.’ 1 Pet 5:8 Once you have identified with Christ, know that you have a battle to fight.
In Gen 25:22-23, Rebekah had sought God regarding her pregnancy and had been told that the older will serve the younger and so she decided to help God – 22 But the children struggled together within her, and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 Then the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples will be separated from your body; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”
She therefore decided to manipulate as the enemy would do to us, children of God. In Gen 27:18-19, we see how Jacob lies to his father in order to be blessed by Issac. When the enemy wants to steal someone’s glory, he would lie, cheat and manipulate the situation so that destinies can be transferred and this is exactly what Jacob’s act did to Esau, with the help of his mother.
In 1 Thes 2:18, Paul talks about the satan hindering them from going to Thessalonica and that is what the enemy does best, he sets people back in life or interferes by swapping their destinies.
As children of God, the war that we are engaged in is for our souls and that of other people. It is our responsibility to submit to God and to resist the devil. Do not underestimate the powerful, cunning and wicked nature of our enemy. But be rest assured that ‘ The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.’ Romans 16:20
As we start this new year, let us be spiritually aware and conscious in what we do. Let us be deliberate in our walk with God. James 4: 7 tells us to ‘Therefore submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.’ In 1 Thes 5: 17, we are reminded to ‘Pray without ceasing’.
This year, we will have to follow the example of Jesus more as we are reminded in Hebs 12: 2 ‘Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.’
The enemy might have wrecked havoc in our lives but with God on our side, we can take back and recover what the devil stole from us in the mighty name of Jesus. Remember, without dying to self, there can be no resurrection of life. If Jesus had to go to the Cross, then so shall we as His followers on earth.
Wishing you the best that God has in store for you in 2019 – be mindful, be purposeful and seek God in all you do.
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