Genesis 27 - God's will, despite sin and deceit

Read: Genesis 27 

On a first reading of this passage, there is much to feel disappointed and sad about.  We have learnt good things from Isaac and Rebekah, but now we see them as far from good role models.  Isaac and Rebekah's once loving and trusting marriage seems to be full of each person seeking to undermine the other.  Isaac, possibly driven by his stomach, seeks to defy the will of God set out in the prophecy spoken over the brothers during Rebekah's pregnancy, that the elder will serve the younger, and that God's salvation plan will be brought about through Jacob.  Jacob, driven by his mother, engages in lies and deceit - no doubt driven by selfish ambition rather than the desire to see God's plans come to pass - taking advantage of his Father's frailty.  Esau responds with rage and plots to kill his brother.  All four get their 'just desserts' through the natural consequences of their actions: the family is torn apart and even Jacob, who receives the blessing for which he schemed, ends up having to escape fearing for his life.

And yet, God used that sin for good.  We cannot know why God chose to build the nation of Israel through Jacob, though we can see here that is certainly not on account of the character he is before he meets with God later.  However, that was God's plan, and through this story he shows us that no amount of sin - such as that of Isaac's desire to have his own way and go with his plan - can stop God's promises from being fulfilled.  Indeed, we could even imagine such a situation where things had gone differently and those in the story had behaved with truthfulness, humility, and desiring to follow God's plan.  However, if that were the case, it would have in no way served to show the potency of God's promises despite sin.

Later on in salvation history, God would also work good through the weakness, greed and sin of others: through the jealousy of the Jewish authorities, the betrayal of Judas, and the lack of conviction of the Roman governor Pilate, Jesus would be sentenced to death on a cross.  And yet, his death achieved a glorious victory over sin, which he defeated by rising again to life three days later, and brings us with him.

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