Text: Genesis 27:30-38
The just read passage Gen 27:30-38 describes how Esau the elder son of Isaac lost his blessing from the father and his cry before Isaac for the lost blessing. Isaac was also in a helpless situation. Both Isaac and Esau fell in the trap formed by Rebekah and Jacob. They steals the blessing from the father in a cunning way. This morning let us reflect together on the topic “Stealing of Blessing “. Here mother Rebekah supported and helped Jacob to steal his brother’s blessing.
The Hebrew word for blessing is ‘beraka’ It generally denotes a bestowal of good, usually conceived of materials. In the ancient near East the blessing of the father to his son was passing of his property and authority to next generation. Blessings were integral part of the Israelites liturgy and were frequently paired with curses violation of covenantal stipulation.
Today in our churches and society also there are many people like Esau, Jacob and Rebekah. Many people are denied of their basic needs under severe poverty. They can be compared to the image of the Esau. We see this image in the oppressed communities like Dalits, adivasi and women. They are eligible for the enormous blessing of God. Jacobs and Rebekahs also present among us today, By amassing wealth exploiting and living on the expense of the others, this Jacobs and Rebekahs were destroying the God’s plan for the humanity. All the development projects aim at all-round development of the Society. But eventually if fails in its aim, and it becomes ultimate blessing for the dominant group of Jacobs and Rebekahs.
They live luxuries life by stealing the opportunities and rights of the less privileged people of our Society. They make the life of the marginalized people more miserable. Jesus was also aware of this fact that is why Jesus says in Matthew 7:15 ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves’. Here Jacob also came wearing the garments of sheep’s clothing and he cheated his father and brother.
Let us introspect ourselves that we share whose image with us, we claim to be a called community, working with values of Jesus Christ, but we also silently taking part in stealing the blessing which are the inheritance of our fellow being around us. We are called to serve others without expecting anything. But today we forget our call and commitment often we take the role of a paid employees. We speak theology boldly but fails to practice it in our day today life.
The just read passage Gen 27:30-38 describes how Esau the elder son of Isaac lost his blessing from the father and his cry before Isaac for the lost blessing. Isaac was also in a helpless situation. Both Isaac and Esau fell in the trap formed by Rebekah and Jacob. They steals the blessing from the father in a cunning way. This morning let us reflect together on the topic “Stealing of Blessing “. Here mother Rebekah supported and helped Jacob to steal his brother’s blessing.
The Hebrew word for blessing is ‘beraka’ It generally denotes a bestowal of good, usually conceived of materials. In the ancient near East the blessing of the father to his son was passing of his property and authority to next generation. Blessings were integral part of the Israelites liturgy and were frequently paired with curses violation of covenantal stipulation.
Today in our churches and society also there are many people like Esau, Jacob and Rebekah. Many people are denied of their basic needs under severe poverty. They can be compared to the image of the Esau. We see this image in the oppressed communities like Dalits, adivasi and women. They are eligible for the enormous blessing of God. Jacobs and Rebekahs also present among us today, By amassing wealth exploiting and living on the expense of the others, this Jacobs and Rebekahs were destroying the God’s plan for the humanity. All the development projects aim at all-round development of the Society. But eventually if fails in its aim, and it becomes ultimate blessing for the dominant group of Jacobs and Rebekahs.
They live luxuries life by stealing the opportunities and rights of the less privileged people of our Society. They make the life of the marginalized people more miserable. Jesus was also aware of this fact that is why Jesus says in Matthew 7:15 ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves’. Here Jacob also came wearing the garments of sheep’s clothing and he cheated his father and brother.
Let us introspect ourselves that we share whose image with us, we claim to be a called community, working with values of Jesus Christ, but we also silently taking part in stealing the blessing which are the inheritance of our fellow being around us. We are called to serve others without expecting anything. But today we forget our call and commitment often we take the role of a paid employees. We speak theology boldly but fails to practice it in our day today life.
Every festival is a remembrance of blessing what God has given without any hierarchy all the people celebrated. It is also remembrance of God’s abundant blessing on all people without considering Caste, Color and Class. Let it be an occasion for us to understand the blessing of God is for all. Including Jacob and Esau without any individual difference.
Let us prepare ourselves to share the blessing that we get from the God. Amen.
Let us prepare ourselves to share the blessing that we get from the God. Amen.
[Samuel Varghese, the leader of this meditation, is a third year BD student in Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute, Chennai, India.]
Thank you for this thought. I've often wondered about this. If you did a role-play of this story - as between 2 brothers - one who stayed home and one who came back from work hungry - it almost is just natural that jokingly among brothers, if one teased the other that he'd give him a meal only if he sold his birthright, he'd jokingly have done that. I think Esau has been grossly maligned in biblical interpretation. I also felt this is a very good allegory of the working class/dalits versus the intellectuals who could sit and plan and scheme about stealing a blessing/an idea/a land while the labouring class simply went out and did the work and then came home tired only thinking of a meal (with no guile in their hearts!). ..thank you for this thought echoed in your reflection as well.
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