Genesis 27:18-19

New King James Version

So he went to his father and said, “My father.”And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?”

Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn; I have done just as you told me; please arise, sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.”

For Encouragement

The most crucial question every Christian must be able to answer sincerely and with conviction every time and anywhere is: Who are you?

It defines the true identity of the responder and establishes their uniqueness in a community. The reputation the person has earned for him or herself comes with their name and makes them either trustworthy or otherwise. Throughout the scriptures, different people have answered this question in varying ways. One notable instance is Jacob before his old, dim-eyed father, Isaac (Gen. 27:1-29).

Rebekah, in a dramatic and precarious scheme, aids her younger son, Jacob, in stealing the paternal blessings from her older son, Esau. Isaac is violently shaken when he realizes Jacob has deceived him (33). Esau leaves to hunt for a deer to prepare the special food Isaac loves so he can bless him. While Esau is away, eavesdropping Rebekah prepares a savory meat such as Isaac loves and coaches Jacob to serve his father with it, pretending to be Esau. Jacob disguises himself with young goat’s skin, dressed in Esau’s favorite clothes (14-17).

“My father.” And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?”

Jacob said, “I am Esau, your firstborn; I have done just as you told me; please arise, sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me” (18-19).

The deception works, and Jacob receives the Patriarchal Blessing from Isaac. The deception leaves Esau in the cold, with no blessing from his father. He exclaimed in anguish, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times (36). In bitterness of soul, Esau weeps (38). The deception destroys the relationship between the twin brothers for good and sows a seed of hatred between their descendants.

Is that what we want for ourselves and our descendants?

Jacob could not use his real name at the critical point before his father because it would have given him away as a deceiver—the meaning of his name. Instead, he used the identity of his brother for his gain. What a shame!

Though God intercepts Jacob and reveals Himself to him and blesses him at Bethel (Gen. 28:10-20), Jacob’s name went with him in a series of deception and intrigues with his uncle, Laban, in Padanaram. However, God, in His mercy and grace, changed his name from Jacob to Israel to compliment the Patriarchal Blessing he carried (32:28).

Now, before anyone justifies Jacob’s deception because it worked, know that the end does not justify the means in the kingdom of God. The means justifies us before our Holy God, which will determine our eternal rewards when we stand before His Bema Seat (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10).

So, who are you, child of God? What does your name say about your character and integrity? Are you living up to your identity as a disciple of Christ?

Shalom