A couple of weeks ago in the bible study I attend, we discussed Genesis chapter 27. In this portion of scripture, we hear the story of how Rebekah encouraged her son Jacob to deceive his father Isaac.
In these circumstances, one finds it difficult to see anyone acting with honor or integrity. Reading these passages from a natural perspective in time and space (logic), it is relatively easy to draw conclusions and make judgements regarding each member of this family.
We can look at Isaac, who – believing he is close to death – asks his elder son Esau to “prepare a delicious meal for me such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, so that my soul may bless you before I die.” (v.4) Esau is a hunter. In Genesis 25 we read that Esau appears to be short sighted and flippant regarding his birthright (which was a big deal in the culture of the time); as he sold his birthright for a bowl of red soup. (Genesis 25:30-34)
Jacob – his name meaning “deceiver” or “supplanter,” in Genesis 25 asks his brother Esau to sell him his birthright before he shares the soup that he prepared. And in Genesis 27, Jacob acquiesces to his mother’s plan to dress him up as his brother Esau so that Isaac will bless Jacob instead of Esau.
On the surface of the story, Rebekah appears manipulative and conniving; given that she devises the entire scenario to prepare the meal Isaac desires and disguises Jacob with goat hair and dresses him in Esau’s clothing in order that Jacob would take the prepared meal to his Father Isaac and receive the blessing that Isaac intended for Esau.
Yet, as we read about these individuals and their actions / choices, what we don’t have is the privilege of knowing each one’s internal thoughts / motives. And it was in the midst of this Bible Study discussion that I heard these words inside of me: “God doesn’t look at the outward appearance of a man.”
This is 1 Samuel 16:7: … “God does not see as man sees, since man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”(NASB)
In reading the historical narrative in Genesis, the only thing we are told about Jacob (outside of the details of his actions ) is found in Genesis 25:27: “So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents.” (KJV)
Our Bible Study leader shared that – interestingly – the english word used in this verse to describe Jacob (“mild”), in Hebrew actually means “complete.” So, literally translated, Genesis 25:27 would read: “And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a complete man, dwelling in tents.”
As our leader continued to share with us, he spoke of the beauty of the sovereignty of God in the midst of each of these family member’s choices and actions. If we really stop to consider the reality of this mystery, it is truly stunning.
I shared in a previous blog about the Kingdom of Heaven being “Both/And” instead of “Either/Or.” In this story is another example of both/and: Both free will And God’s sovereignty. Each of these 4 individuals retained and exercised their free will; yet, God – in His infinite Wisdom and absolute sovereignty – accomplishes His will and fulfills his promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3)
Back to Jacob…… So, the one detail we have of Jacob – apart from his actions – is that he is a complete man. So, God – not seeing as man sees, but looking at the heart – saw Jacob as who He created him to be. And throughout Jacob’s life, God spoke to, instructed, and disciplined Jacob according to who He knew Jacob to be, instead of according to Jacob’s outward actions.
There are other examples of this truth in scripture and these bubbled up inside of me that evening in Bible Study. David – the youngest son and shepherd boy who would be the king of Israel; described as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22). Gideon – the youngest son of his family hiding in a wine press when an angel of the Lord comes and addresses him as “valiant warrior” (Judges 6:12). And Matthew – the loathed Tax Collector – whom Jesus chose as one of his twelve disciples.
As this revelation washed over me, I found great encouragement and hope. God – Who knows us better than we know ourselves – pursues us, guides us, watches over us and speaks to us according to who He created us to be instead of viewing us and judging us by our outward appearance.
And, in receiving this understanding, we – in turn – are to guard our own hearts from judging another according to outward appearance, alone. Rather, I encourage each of us to inquire of the Lord as to how He sees our family member, friend, co-worker…even someone we might consider our adversary.
Being willing to see as He sees frees us from false judgement, condemnation, unforgiveness, and a host of other toxic, divisive and destructive thoughts.
Let us continue to explore the land in the Kingdom of Heaven, “Both/ And.”
