One Way or Another

Genesis 27:41-46

It’s a strange way to enjoy a blessing: immediately going into exile, even if it’s to a relative’s place. There don’t appear to be any winners here. And yet it is Jacob, the deceiver, after whom a nation will be named. The mundane expression of verse 46 contributes to the plot shifting back to the land of Rebekah’s family, where Jacob’s family will take shape. Given the strength of Rebekah’s desire to have Jacob marry elsewhere, you even suspect that her motive in the Jacob/Esau deception was leading to this! She could have tried to persuade him to go, but this way he has to. But that’s speculation.

At any rate, this episode of deception, and what we’ll find leading to it, leads me to fast forward to Paul writing to the Thessalonians when he said to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, emphasis mine). It may be a matter of relief to know that you are not expected to be thankful for all circumstances. That would be an impossible burden.

Prayer:
God, we have this old expression about you; that you move in mysterious ways. There are a lot of things we can’t like at the time they are happening. Don’t let the things that bother us consume us. They are not the whole story. Thanks for that. Through Christ. Amen.