# 257 What A Mess!

The Book of Genesis

Day 257

Ge 27:41 So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, "The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob." 42 And the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said to him, "Surely your brother Esau comforts himself concerning you by intending to kill you. 43 "Now therefore, my son, obey my voice: arise, flee to my brother Laban in Haran. 44 "And stay with him a few days, until your brother's fury turns away, 45 "until your brother's anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him; then I will send and bring you from there. Why should I be bereaved also of you both in one day?" 46 And Rebekah said to Isaac, "I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth; if Jacob takes a wife of the daughters of Heth, like these who are the daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?"

Esau is so furious with Jacob that his heart is filled with hatred and he starts planning to kill his brother. He knows that would break his father’s heart, so he plans to wait until Isaac passes away and a proper time of mourning has been observed.  So how do the words of Esau’s heart, find their way to Rebekah’s ears? 

I can picture the scene: Esau, out with the boys, quaffing a few adult beverages, or maybe grousing about the house with his heathen wives, and saying things like: “Just wait till dad dies, I will kill that no good lying brother of mine, then we’ll see who’s inheritance it is!”

Well, that’s speculation on my part, but the word does get out and Rebekah (who is very good at eavesdropping) gets wind of it and takes immediate action.

Esau had the bitterness of Cain and for pretty much the same reason. Cain’s offering was refused by God because of his attitude toward God, and Esau’s attitude toward God was similar. Both were older brothers of young men who were recipients of the Lord’s favor and it infuriated them.

But unlike Abel, Jacob removes himself from the scene and flees to uncle Laban’s house in Haran. Rebekah encourages him to go there until Esau cools off and he forgets what Jacob did to him.

Have you noticed something here? Rebekah has removed “we” from the equation of wrongdoing and puts all the blame on Jacob! Whatever happened to “Let your curse be upon me, my son.” That we heard her say back in verse 13?  Obviously, it’s gone, and again a reminder for those of you who face peer pressure to do ungodly things. When you get caught and push comes to shove, you can count on one thing. Those who put you up to the wrongdoing  with their empty promises will be long gone, and they will be pleased to allow the finger of blame to be pointed squarely at you.

So Rebekah urges Jacob to leave, because if he stays she will have nothing left. Isaac will be passing away soon, Jacob would be dead, and Esau would have to flee as a murderer! Even in sending Jacob away she resorts to scheming as she approaches Isaac and urges him to send Jacob away under the guise of finding a suitable wife.

She and Isaac didn’t agree on much but they both agreed that Esau’s unbelieving wives were a grief to them. Playing on that grief, she had no problem convincing Isaac to send Jacob away.

This whole situation has turned into a royal family mess! All because Rebekah did not wait on the Lord and took things into her own sinful hands. But, as usual, God, in His mercy,  will take this mess and turn it into a message. Jacob’s trip to Haran will ultimately result in the birth of the nation Israel!  Stay tuned!