Family Deficiencies
19 October 2014 AM – Genesis 27:1-46 – Gen 14 – Scott Childs
Introduction: The word “deficient” means lacking. If your body is deficient in sleep, food, vitamins, iron, or exercise, it will not work properly. The same is true of our families. If your family is deficient in an important area, it will not work right.
Transition: This morning we will see that Isaac and Rebekah’s family had several deficiencies. As we study these deficiencies, look for symptoms of deficiencies in your family.
1. Isaac Lacked Spiritual Leadership
a. He began good but went downhill
1) As a young man he had everything going for him.
a) He was reared in a godly home.
b) He was willing to be sacrificed to the Lord (Ge 22).
c) He trusted God for a godly wife (Ge 24).
d) He loved Rebekah (Ge 24:67)
e) He prayed and God gave Rebekah children (Ge 25).
2) Despite his great start in life, Isaac made several mistakes.
a) In Ge 25, we saw his mistake of parental favouritism.
b) In Ge 26, he failed to find a godly wife for Esau.
c) In Ge 27 we see that Isaac tried to put his will before God’s. He started good but then failed.
O Our prayer ought to be that we will end well so we can say with the Apostle Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” (2 Timothy 4:7)
b. In his old age, Isaac acted selfishly
1) When Abraham was old, his first concern was for a godly wife for Isaac (Gen 24:1).
2) Now that Isaac is old, his first concern was to bless his godless son Esau, against God’s will.
a) It appears that Isaac selfishly acted on his feelings not on the direction from the Lord. He thought it was the right time to give his blessing. He was 137 years old, yet he lived another 43 years to the age of 180.
b) Esau and Jacob were now 77 years old. http://timeline.biblehistory.com/period/the-patriarchs
c) In Genesis 25:23 we read what God told Rebekah.
V “And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.”
d) Isaac knew what God said, yet he selfishly planned to bless Esau his godless yet favourite son. He acted upon his feelings rather than upon the Word of God.
O We regularly face the temptation to act on our feelings rather than obeying the Bible. The temptation may be to do a hobby instead of reading the Bible, tell a lie instead of admitting a fault, be bitter instead of forgiving, or give in to our children rather than bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Doing what pleases self is always wrong and displeases the Lord.
2. Isaac and Rebekah Lacked Marital Harmony
a. They did not pray together about major decisions
1) Years earlier, before their sons were born, they had a habit of praying together (Ge 25:21-22).
2) They grieved together about Esau’s choice of ungodly wives (Ge 26:35), yet now we do not read that they prayed together before giving the father’s blessing.
a) The blessing of the father on his son was much more than a birthday gift. In ancient times under the spirit of prophecy, fathers predicted blessings to come upon their children. Unger
b) The father’s blessing prediction was directed and fulfilled by God.
² Ellicott, in his commentary states, “We gather from the solemn blessing given to his sons by Jacob (Genesis 49) that this was a prophetic act, by which the patriarchs, under the influence of the Spirit, and in expectation of death, decided to which son should belong the birthright.”
c) Isaac selfishly decided to bless Esau though it was not the will of God nor Rebekah’s wish.
b. Isaac and Rebekah did not act in harmony
1) Isaac decided to give his blessing to Esau without discussing it with Rebekah (v.1).
2) Rebekah overheard Isaac talking to Esau and she plotted to deceive him (v.5)
V (James 3:16) “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
O It is tragic that a husband and wife who were once in harmony and close to God, now act independent of each other without discussing God’s will or even praying together. Beware that you do not fall into the same trap of the devil.
V (Amos 3:3) “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
V (Proverbs 31:11) “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.”
3) Rebekah’s actions were foolish.
a) Jacob questioned her plot (v.11). His concern was not “Is it right?” but “Is it safe?” Warren Wiersbe
b) Both Jacob and Rebekah’s thoughts were that the end justifies the means. They were trying to help God. As we have learned in earlier chapters, God does not need our help to fulfil his plans.
² “It is never right to do wrong to get a chance to do right.” Anonymous
c) Rebekah foolishly said she would take any curse that Jacob might receive (v.13).
d) She cooked the meat the special way (v.14).
e) She got Esau’s clothes for Jacob to wear (v.15).
f) She covered Jacob’s arms and neck with skins (v.16).
O You cannot expect God’s blessing if you work against your spouse. Couples are to be a team. If your spouse is doing wrong, do not join them in it. Be a godly example, encourage them to do right, and pray for them.
3. Jacob Lacked Godly Conduct
a. Jacob chose to do wrong
1) He was not an ignorant little boy. He was a grown man, yet he foolishly joined his mother in this plot.
V (Proverbs 13:20) “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
V (Proverbs 1:10) “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.”
2) He lied to his father (v.19, 20, 24).
3) He deceived his father (v.22, 27).
4) He stole the cherished blessing from Esau (v.28-29).
b. Jacob got what he wanted but it cost him dearly
1) He disappointed his father (v.35).
2) Esau now hated Jacob and planned to kill him (v.41).
3) He was forced to leave home (v.43, Ch 28). He would never see his mother again.
4) God had promised that Jacob would be the blessed leader of the family. Perhaps if Rebekah and Jacob would have talked to Isaac about it, God would have led him to bless Jacob. We do not know how God would have done it, but now Jacob got the blessing but not in God’s way.
V (Psalms 86:5) “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”
O When we rebel and do thing our way instead of God’s way, we make a mess of things. Thankfully, God is ready to forgive if we will humbly confess our wrong. Things may never be as they could have been if we had obeyed, but God can still use us.
Conclusion: Isaac and Rebekah’s family was deficient in spiritual leadership, marital harmony, and godly conduct. Men, are you the spiritual leader God has called you to be? Couples, do you have harmony in your marriage? Do you work together as a team? Are you walking in agreement? Is there godly conduct in your life? If there are lies, scheming, deceit, disharmony, ungodliness, and lack of spirituality in your family, you need to get right with God.
If you are not 100% positive you are save, that is where you must begin. Without Christ, you family is doomed to be deficient.
Song: Have Thine Own Way – 388