The family dynamics at work in Genesis 27 and 28 are, to say the least, very troubling. Sinful human nature was exhibited in parental favoritism, sibling rivalry, lies, deception, anger, hatred and estrangement! One finds it very hard to understand why a mother would encourage and aid a son to deceive and lie to his father as well as how a father that should know his children intimately, could be so easily deceived. Yet, despite all this, God appeared to Jacob and promised to be with him and to bless him (see verses 10-15)! How could God give Jacob his favor when Jacob’s behavior was so grievously sinful? The simple answer is that God’s purpose is to redeem and to extend grace.

Paul, another vile sinner, was also a recipient of redeeming grace. He came to understand the power of God in such a way that he could write, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, NIV 11). Both Jacob and Paul came to love the God who loved them, and who called them — Jacob after a night of wrestling with God at the edge of the Jabbok (Genesis 32:22-32), and Paul on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9:1-19). After encountering God, both men lived out God’s plan for their lives. 

Undoubtedly, these chapters give us hope, despite the sins we have committed against God and others. If we will look to Jesus Christ, not only will our sins be forgiven, but we will be cleansed and purified through his redeeming blood (see 1 John 1:9). Not only that, but our sins will be cast into the sea of God’s forgetfulness (see Micah 7:9 and Romans 4:7-8). As he did with Jacob and Paul, God can redeem what we most regret and then use us for his purposes.

“[Jesus] was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:25, NIV11).

David W. Davis