Bibledoorajar Looks at our Deceit

"There is no one righteous, not even one!
No one understands,
no one seeks God,
all have turned away
and at the same time become useless;
there is no one who shows kindness, not a single one!"
                      Romans 39ff

Sometimes it is hard to read of the failings of the O.T. figures because it forces us to look at our own behavior. But in looking at the failings of our lady, Rebecca, we must realize that ALL OF THE FAMILY deceived in some way, thus underscording what the N.T. tells us, that ALL have fallen short of the glory of God.

Rebecca overheard a conversation between Isaac and his son Esau. From the conversation she realized that it was Isaac's intent to give his blessing to Esau IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD before his death. This, even though Esau had shown little regard for God's plans and even though it overrode what God said He would do. Isaac proceeded with tradition instead of going with God's direction. Rebecca loved Jacob and she also knew what God had told her about her sons. She intreated Jacob to deceive his father. She even covered Jacob's concern about a curse falling on them for the deceit. She was willing to take the curse on herself.  The main aspect of the father's blessing was that the seed of the chosen son would establish a people to bring a Savior into the world. Rebecca was willing to deceive to "help God" bring this promise about. How tempting it is for us all to "help God out" at times. Not seeing any activity on God's part, we make our own plans.  Or we try to help ourselves out as Jacob did by trying to get God's blessing the wrong way. He honored Rebecca but he failed to give the higher honor to God. When his mother said, "just listen to me" that is exactly what Jacob did.

The malevolent nature of the human will is exactly what God was taking the steps necessary for the world and its' residents to receive the good news that we could be reconciled to Him. All of the deceitful seed of Jacob would have to be assisted by God because of their impurity and it was only by His grace that he declared the seed of Jacob (Israel) pure. Today, He saves an evil people through His grace as we accept the righteousness of His son. Now that is something to say Merry Christmas about! What a great gift!

"The Holy Spirit will come over you,
the power of God will cover you.
Therefore the holy child born to you
will be called the Son of God.  Luke 1:35

It seems He does not need our deceit to establish His justice and righteousness. Let's adopt Mary's attitude for His plans for us:  "My sould magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior, who has taken notice of His servant-girl in her humble position." Luke 1: 47ff