Secrets

I just heard two secrets that were whispered four thousand years ago? Is that weird or what. I mean it was a conversation between a mother and her son muttered in a tent over 5000 miles from where I am living. So, how did I find out about it?

Well, it was rather easy really. I just read my Bible. This morning I was reading in Genesis 27.

The conversation was a juicy one too. It was about lying, stealing and favoritism. It was about a slimy, little, wimpy, weasel man who had clean fingernails and smooth skin wanting all that his older tougher redheaded twin brother possessed. I mean this scalawag wasn’t satisfied with his brother’s birthright he went for the inheritance juggler! Oh... wait... this whole scheme was his mother’s idea.

Remember sweet little Rebekah? She was quick with the water pot. She watered no less than ten camels to win a husband. She was God’s chosen for Abraham’s blessed son Isaac. What on earth happened to her over these forty years?

Isaac and Rebekah's story is rather short, Bible-wise that is. But it seems that early in this tale things began to sour. We see it in their choosing favorite sons. Isaac loved Esau and Rebekah loved Jacob. Two bad choices that destroyed their family.

Isaac, who I always seem to think was a really nice guy, was old. He was blind and found it hard to move around. He called his favorite boy and ask him to prepare him his favorite meal. So, Esau could cook too! Never thought about that one.

Anyway, Rebekah hears the exchange and calls for her baby boy. After the scheming “Softy” comes and takes a meal, that mama has prepared, to his daddy. But for effect he has to dress up like a goat. Isn't that a pretty picture. Little Jacob, who by this time is in his forties, is dressed like a goat and it isn’t even Halloween. Wouldn't you just have loved to been a mouse in that tent! It must have been a sight.

The strange tog is a disguise to trick dear blind old dad. Jacob needs to be his hairy brother Esau to grab his goods. It worked and dad blessed the socks off of Jacob.

Isaac scampers out as Esau rushes in with a fresh kill. He prepares his dish and brings it to dad excited and full of expectation. However, dad has emptied his blessing bag on Jacob. Esau is devastated and bent on deadly force revenge.

Two whispered conversations recorded by Moses and I read them both this morning. Isaac dies and goat-boy is a fugitive. He will never see mommy again. In fact, he was impelled to stay away for years.

This story seems to relate events in a family of losers. However, that perception is dead wrong. This is a family that God will use. Through their lineage will come the sent one, Jesus the Messiah.

Even through the lies, deception and hatred God works out the details to keep the story on track. He has a blessing to fulfill. That blessing was whispered to grandpa Abraham over two-hundred years earlier. There will be a happy ending and we’ll look at that secret next time.

For now think of this. Which of your “secrets” will be revealed in the future? Will they be as notorious as these two? Let’s learn from this story and not be quick to point fingers at Isaac, Rebekah, Esau and Jacob. Let’s beg God for forgiveness and keep our secret sin account a short list.