We live in a world where appearances can be deceiving.

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Think about social media: virtually everything is filtered, curated, and carefully chosen.  Everything is perfect, and the façade is presented as reality.  The image often overtakes integrity.

Considering that, Genesis 27:1–26 tells a story that feels surprisingly modern.  Let’s read it.

When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older son and said to him, “My son.”
“Here I am,” he answered.
Isaac said, “I am now an old man and don’t know the day of my death. Now then, get your equipment—your quiver and bow—and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me. Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die.”
Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, ‘Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.’ Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. 10 Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies.”
11 Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “But my brother Esau is a hairy man while I have smooth skin. 12 What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing.”
13 His mother said to him, “My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get them for me.”
14 So he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and she prepared some tasty food, just the way his father liked it. 15 Then Rebekah took the best clothes of Esau her older son, which she had in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob. 16 She also covered his hands and the smooth part of his neck with the goatskins. 17 Then she handed to her son Jacob the tasty food and the bread she had made.
18 He went to his father and said, “My father.”
“Yes, my son,” he answered. “Who is it?”
19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.”
20 Isaac asked his son, “How did you find it so quickly, my son?”
“The Lord your God gave me success,” he replied.
21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Come near so I can touch you, my son, to know whether you really are my son Esau or not.”
22 Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he proceeded to bless him. 24 “Are you really my son Esau?” he asked.
“I am,” he replied.
25 Then he said, “My son, bring me some of your game to eat, so that I may give you my blessing.”
Jacob brought it to him and he ate; and he brought some wine and he drank. 26 Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come here, my son, and kiss me.”  

Genesis 27:1-26, New International Version

At first, this seems like a story of family dysfunction: favoritism, deception, and manipulation.  Instead of trusting the Lord’s promise, Rebekah and Jacob devise a scheme to secure the blessing through human deception.  The result is a family torn apart by mistrust and bitterness.


When we try to reap our Lord’s purposes through manipulation or deception, we sow pain rather than peace.  Jacob did receive the blessing.  But at what cost?  It tore his family apart.

We may not cover ourselves in animal hide, but we deceive in other ways:

  • Pretending to be someone we’re not to get approval.
  • Manipulating conversations to get people to agree with us.
  • Hiding behind curated images online to appear more spiritual, successful, or happier than we really are.
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Should we expect the Lord to bless deception?  Scripture teaches that He blesses honesty, humility, and trust.  Our calling is not to scheme our way into the Lord’s promises. We should trust His timing and walk in integrity.


Genesis 27:1-26 reminds us that deception may win the moment.  Yet, it always tears relationships apart and reveals a lack of trust in our Lord.  Instead of disguising ourselves, we are called to bring our real selves before the Lord and others.

Thankfully, the Lord still chooses to work through flawed people.  Yet, He calls us to a better way: truth, transparency, and trust in Him.