How much deception is too far?

What will you do when deception has gone too far?

Picture from Recep Eroglu from Unsplash

This morning while reading the story about Jacob and Esau, I had to wonder how far is too deception? If you don't know the story you can read it in Genesis 27. To give the short version of this story, Issac the son of Abraham blessed the wrong son from a deceptive plot by the sons’ mother Rebekah.

The story of Esau and Jacob

In those days, the father would usually bless their children with possessions and longevity from The LORD. In this story, Isacc had 2 sons, Esau, the firstborn, and Jacob the second. One day Isacc told Esau to hunt and bring back “game” to make stew, which he will eat and then bless him. Rebekah heard this conversation and told Jacob to bring her 2 kids which she made a stew with for Issac. The catch was that Esau was big and strong, hair and worked in the fields so he smelled like it.

All of this is significant because Issac at the time was losing his sight and couldn’t tell his sons apart, but by touch and voice. After a little while, Jacob came in with the stew and bread, from this mother, while dressed in layers of Esau clothes and hairy skin from the kids.

Issac upon hearing the voice of Jacob, saying he was Esau, ask him to come closer so he can touch him and smell him. And at that point the shred of doubt he had slipped away. So Issac ate the food and blessed Jacob with wealth, possessions, to rule over nations and even his own brother, and prayer of blessings from God.

At the end of it all Jacob, the cunning younger brother walked away with everything, and Esau, after doing all he was told to do came to his father to gain nothing. Nothing but anguish and despair. The deceit was so great that Esau left with rage and only thoughts of death towards his brother.

How did I feel after this story?

At the end of this story, I felt pity for Esau and disappointment towards Jacob and Rebekah. I started wondering why would a mother do such a thing to her sons. I always wondered why would God allow this to happen? Someone does what they are told and they deceitfully get robbed. But this has nothing to do with God and everything to do with man and how we treat each other, including our own siblings. It is morally and all other sorts of wrong to deceive persons. And more so to believe that everything is alright with what you just did.

Now its self-reflection time

How would I have felt if this had happened to me?

If I were Esau I would have felt betrayed and enraged, so I understand Esau’s rage. And to know my own brother did it, boy oh boy I would be seeing red. But how far is too deceptive? The truth is I don’t know yet. I am grateful that I have never had to feel such deceit and pain. But i do have sp,e advice for those who have

The deceit done to you will not hurt what you, unless you allow it.

I know you would say that I don't know what I am talking about. That is true, but, I do know whatever God has blessed you with will be for you. The only person who would stand in your way is yourself. I haven't read the next chapter in Genesis yet, but you read ahead and see for yourself.

No matter what the circumstances there is 1 thing I know for sure. Who God bless, no man can curse. The only way to get the blessings from GOD accepts them from him. So maybe, this was Jacob’s birthright and Esau was not to inherit Abraham’s blessings.

What do you think? How would a deciet like that affected you? and what would you have done?

Thanks for reading.