When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older son and said to him, “My son.” “Here I am,” he answered. Genesis 27:1
Rebekah had been scheming for years. Ever since the Lord had told her that Esau would serve Jacob (Genesis 25:23), she had done everything in her power to make it happen.
“How could Isaac be so blind?” she muttered to herself, as she continued to make the preparations necessary to deceive her husband. “If he only could have seen God’s hand on Jacob as I have; I would not be forced to deceive him now, and Jacob would never have stolen Esau’s birthright.”
Now with Isaac’s natural blindness finally rivaling his spiritual blindness, and Esau on a hunting trip, it was time for Rebekah to strike.
“Jacob put on your brothers clothes, and wrap these goatskins around your neck and arms. As blind as your Father is, he’ll never know the difference. When you feed him this stew I have prepared, ask him for Esau’s birthright.”
Although Rebekah’s clever subterfuge would work, the consequences would be grim. Jacob would be forced to flee from Esau’s murderous intent, while his parents would be left to deal with Esau’s animosity and rebellion for the rest of their lives.
How could the very family through which God had chosen to redeem the world come to the brink of fratricide? Although the subterfuge practiced by Rebekah and Jacob was obviously a factor, I believe Isaac’s spiritual blindness was the real root.
If he would have had even a measure of Rebekah’s discernment concerning the destinies of his sons, this tragedy could likely have been averted. While this by no means justifies Jacob and Rebekah’s sinful behavior, Isaac’s blindness cannot be overlooked.
Why did it happen? How could this great patriarch of the faith remain blind to the true character and destinies of his sons? I believe there were at least two reasons.
First, Isaac was blinded by his traditions. He was unwilling to see beyond the strict convention and centuries of custom that had shaped his culture. In his world, the first born son received the birthright and nothing was going to change that fact.
Second, he was blinded by his emotions. Esau was simply his favorite. After all, what Father would not have adored a courageous warrior and mighty hunter like Esau? Yet, despite all of Isaac’s plans and perceptions, Jacob not Esau, was the one chosen by God to possess the promises of Abraham.
Where are you today? Are you blind to the true character and calling of your children, friends, students or employees? Are the wrong people being promoted and exalted, while the very people you should be mentoring and preparing are leaving because there is no place or time for them?
I cannot count the times I have watched churches, businesses, and other institutions severely crippled because the people making the personnel decisions were blind to the true condition of the people with whom they were dealing.
Even worse is the fact that, like Jacob, many young people put on a skin that does not belong to them in order to gain the opportunities and respect they crave.
How many tremendous young leaders have submerged the very passion, cultural relevance and creativity the Body of Christ is desperate for in order to be accepted in a church or ministry that needs these very qualities the most?
Tragically, whether it was the Jesus Movement of the 1970’s or the amazing move of God in the world today, many harvests have been lost because Christian leaders were blinded by their religious traditions and social conventions. They rejected the harvest because of the cultural package in which it was contained.
Whether you are a parent, teacher, employer, or any other type of leader, God wants to open your eyes to the realities of the character and calling of the people in your world.
As you ask Him to open your eyes, you will be amazed to see the callings and destinies on the people God has placed in your life.
© Copyright 2005 by Jim Laffoon
