Sermon Tone Analysis

Motherhood fail moments that God used

And one Mother’s involvement in making it happen

Some background here:

God said the older would serve the younger ()

There Would Be Favorites ()

Malachi says that Jacob was love by God but Esau was hated by God ()

Romans states that God had chosen before the boys were born that the younger would serve the older ()

Gen 2

So lets read the story now and as we read, ask was this Stealing a blessing or fulfilling God’s will?

()

Definition of dysfunction (Merriam-Webster)

1: impaired or abnormal functioning

impaired or abnormal functioning

impaired or abnormal functioning

2: abnormal or unhealthy interpersonal behavior or interaction within a group family dysfunction

abnormal or unhealthy interpersonal behavior or interaction within a group family dysfunction

Definition of false dichotomy (www.philosophy-index.com)

A false dichotomy or false dilemma occurs when an argument presents two options and ignores, either purposefully or out of ignorance, other alternatives.

Knows God has chosen Esau to serve Jacob

Loves Esau over Jacob (Favorites)

Has not taken action against Esau for marrying outside the family line and taking multiple wives

He was in his hundred thirty-seventh year;

He was in his hundred thirty-seventh year;

He was in his hundred thirty-seventh year; and apprehending death to be near, Isaac prepared to make his last will—an act of the gravest importance, especially as it included the conveyance through a prophetic spirit of the patriarchal blessing

Isaac:

Knows God has chosen Esau to serve Jacob and that the patriarchal blessing is to be given to Jacob

Loves Esau over Jacob (Favorites) (Gen 25:28)

Has not taken action against Esau for marrying outside the family line and taking multiple wives

Senses that he is going to die but only calls one son to him instead of the tradition of all sons

Plans to sneak the blessing to Esau, give Jacob nothing

In an adversarial relationship with his wife

Rebekah:

Knows God has chosen Esau to serve Jacob and that the patriarchal blessing is to be given to Jacob

Loves Jacob over Esau (Favorites)

Plans and executes deception and manipulation of her husband to get him to give the blessing to the right son

Leads her son Jacob into participating in the deception and will cover for him

Lies to her husband about the reason Jacob is being sent away

Does not confront her husband for his choices or try to talk to him about it

Esau:

Focused on hunting and his physical desires.

Married outside the family line in opposition to what Abraham and Isaac and Rebekah wanted.

Breaks his word to his brother about giving him his birthright

He gave his birthright away coming back from the hunt because he was hungry

Lost his blessing during a hunt to get the food necessary to have his father sneak the blessing in

Plans to kill his brother

Does not care how his actions affect his mother

He will never have a brotherly relationship with his brother again.

Jacob:

Track recording of taking advantage of his brother

Complicit with his mom in deceiving his father

His biggest concern is getting caught, not the sin he is committing

He lies to his fathers face “I am Esau your firstborn.

I have done as you told me”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

(Ge 27:19).

Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

He uses God’s name in vain (

He drags God into the lie by using God’s name in vain.

“Because the LORD your God granted me success.”

Steals his brothers blessing

Destroys his relationship with his brother and will live in fear of him for the rest of his life

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

().

Wheaton: Standard Bible Society

The Jerry Springer Show B.C. would be making casting calls

But there are some serious consequences

Just look at the consequences of their actions

Isaac:

6. Rebekah spake unto Jacob—She prized the blessing as invaluable; she knew that God intended it for the younger son [Ge 25:23]; and in her anxiety to secure its being conferred on the right object—on one who cared for religion—she acted in the sincerity of faith; but in crooked policy—with unenlightened zeal; on the false principle that the end would sanctify the means.

Realizes he has been caught and subverted in trying to thwart God’s will: “Then Isaac trembled very violently”

Ironically must be the one to tell his son Esau he will have to serve his brother Jacob after they attempted to avoid it.

Must crush his son by giving him a meager blessing.

Betrayed is youngest by trying to deceive him into losing his granted birthright

Rebekah:

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

().

Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

Rebekah:

Destroys her relationship with her sons

Will never see Jacob again in her life

Does not appear to ever reconcile with her husband before he dies

Suddenly may lose both of her sons to death in a short period as well as her husband due to the law of Goelism (which the nearest of kin would be obliged to avenge the death of Jacob upon his brother)

Esau:

11.

Jacob said, Esau my brother is a hairy man—It is remarkable that his scruples were founded, not on the evil of the act, but on the risk and consequences of deception.

Unreconciled to his brother

Unreconciled to his mother

Left with more of a curse than any blessing (less than he would have gotten)

Left to remember forever his poorly thought through choices regarding is birthright

Jacob:

Jacob:

Has to run for his life

third, of the long white robe—the vestment of the first-born, which, transmitted from father to son and kept in a chest among fragrant herbs and perfumed flowers used much in the East to keep away moths—his mother provided for him

Go live with an uncle that will lie to him and treat him deceitfully for 14 years

Get stuck with a wife he has no love for

27:15 best garments This may refer to special clothing worn for festivals and important ceremonies.

This would heighten the credulity of Isaac, since he would naturally assume that only Esau would know what was transpiring.

Will never see his parents again

27:29 Be lord of your brothers This wording describes the vast scope of the recipient’s predominance.

Since Isaac was passing on a divinely ordained covenant relationship with Yahweh, this phrase is appropriate.

Compare note on v. 4.

those blessing you The covenant promise of 12:3 is reiterated here.

Will always live in fear of his brother

Will never get to reconcile with his father