Scripture to Read: Genesis 27:30-46
When we are unwilling to wait on God’s perfect plan and choose to do things our way, we will suffer the negative consequences of our bad choice(s). As we saw in yesterday’s devotion, Rebekah and Jacob decided to do things their way by deceiving Isaac so Jacob would receive Isaac’s first blessing instead of Esau receiving Isaac’s first blessing. Again, God had made the promise to Rebekah that Esau would end up serving Jacob, but Rebekah did not take God’s promise to heart. As we read Genesis 27:30-46, we see the death (James 1:13-15) that Rebekah and Jacob’s deception (sin) brought. We read how Esau was broken-hearted when he found out how Rebekah and Jacob had deceived Isaac so Jacob would receive the first blessing. We read how Esau’s anger burned against Jacob and that Esau had set in his heart to kill Jacob once Isaac died and Esau was able to mourn Isaac’s death. We read how Jacob had to be sent away from his family because of Esau’s anger that burned toward Jacob. We read how displeased Rebekah was with Esau’s wives because Esau had decided to marry outside of the tribe of Abraham. The sin of deception brought a number of negative consequences to the entire family. As we saw yesterday, we know God’s will is going to happen but imagine how much sweeter the family relationships could have been if Rebekah, Jacob, and Esau had all submitted to God’s plan and not their own.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about following His will and not your own, no matter how you feel?
2. How will you choose to guard your heart from choosing to do things your way instead of God’s way?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!