The Destruction of Deception

TODAY'S READING: Gen. 27, 28; Ps. 4; Luke 11

SCRIPTURE: Gen. 27:2-12

² Isaac said, “I am now an old man and don’t know the day of my death. ³ Now then, get your weapons—your quiver and bow—and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me. ⁴ Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die.”

⁵ Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, ⁶ Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, ⁷ ‘Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the LORD before I die.’ ⁸ Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: ⁹ Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. ¹⁰ Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies.”

¹¹ Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “But my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I’m a man with smooth skin. ¹² What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing.”

OBSERVATION: When Rebekah comes to her son Jacob with a plan to deceive his father, Jacob objects. But he doesn't object because deceiving his father was a wrong and immoral thing to do. His objection is based solely on the fear of getting caught and of the negative consequences that would result if that happened. Once his mother comes up with a plan to avoid that, Jacob is all in. The results were devastating. This created a rift in the family that never completely healed. God had promised to bless Jacob in particular when he was born, but Rebekah and Jacob together took it upon themselves to bring about a blessing for Jacob without trusting God to do it. And what a mess they created by depending on themselves and their own schemes instead of trusting in God! Jacob had to flee his home as a result. He also later reaped what he had sown. His father-in-law later deceived him many times and Jacob got to experience the hurt, frustration and anger that happens when someone habitually deceives you. It reminds me of a scripture in the Bible that says evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Tim. 3:13). I believe the two go together. You cannot practice deceit without also being more susceptible to deceit yourself. I had a family member who was a habitual liar and deceiver. He prided himself on his ability to detect when other people were lying because he was so good at it himself. What he was blind to was the fact that he fell prey to spiritual deception very easily and he was totally unaware of it. You cannot be a deceiver without having a propensity to be vulnerable to deception as well.

APPLICATION: Rooting out deception and lying in my life is of vital importance if I want to have all God has for me. I must trust him to bring about his will in my life without laying my own plans to "make it happen" like Jacob did. I must speak truthfully. The more I walk in truth, the more able I will be to discern deception and lies. I will also protect myself and my family from the destruction (at least, as far as it lies with me) that comes when people engage in lying and deception with those they love. This story is a lesson that should give all of us warning that we risk destruction of our family relationships and friendships when we practice deception.

PRAYER: Father, I have experienced destruction in my own family because of others who have lied and deceived with regularity. It has caused me much grief. I know I have caused myself and others grief at times in my life when I sinned by lying or deceiving in a vain attempt to protect my own interests. I have confessed, and I know you forgive me Lord, but I pray that you keep me from such behavior ever again. I want to walk in truth completely. In Jesus' Name, Amen.