Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 27:30-38.

“Now it came about, as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had hardly gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.  Then he also made savory food, and brought it to his father;  and he said to his father, “Let my father arise and eat of his son’s game, that you may bless me.”  Isaac his father said to him, “Who are you?”  And he said, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.”  Then Isaac trembled violently, and said, “Who was he then that hunted game and brought it to me, so that I ate of all of it before you came, and blessed him?  Yes, and he shall be blessed.”  When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, “Bless me, even me also, O my father!”  And he said, “Your brother came deceitfully and has taken away your blessing.”  Then he said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob, for he has supplanted me these two times?  He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.”  And he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?”  But Isaac replied to Esau, “Behold, I have made him your master, and all his relatives I have given to him as servants;  and with grain and new wine I have sustained him.  Now as for you then, what can I do, my son?”  Esau said to his father, “Do you have only one blessing, my father?  Bless me, even me also, O my father.”  So Esau lifted his voice and wept.”  Genesis 27:30-38.

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“See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God;  that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;  that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.  For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.”  Hebrews 12:15-16.

It is interesting that the foregoing Scripture ties the rejection of Esau’s request for a blessing in today’s Scripture to Esau’s prior sale of his birthright to Jacob for a single meal.

We understand through the following Scripture that although Esau wept in verse 38 of today’s Scripture in the rejection of his request for a blessing, Esau did not repent at the time that he sold his birthright to Jacob.  

“Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die;  so of what use then is the birthright to me?”  And Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.  Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way.  Thus Esau despised his birthright.”  Genesis 25:32-34.

How does today’s Scripture apply to us today?  How could we sell our birthright?

We covered this topic more extensively in the February 25, 2022 devotion when we covered that Scripture.  But, because today’s Scripture covers the rejection of Esau’s request for a blessing and the above-stated Hebrews 12:15-16 ties the rejection of Esau’s request for a blessing to Esau’s failure to repent at the time that he sold his birthright to Jacob, we will summarize again how we could sell our birthright.

Our birthright could be our right based in our birth in a family to to be in a family and church and maybe even Christian schools in which the doctrines of grace were taught.  But, so to speak, we could sell our birthright by being careless and disdaining the doctrines of grace instead of clinging to them and guarding and treasuring them.  

Esau thought he earned the blessing by his work, wisdom, and will in hunting the game and preparing a savory dish for his father.  But, the doctrines of grace teach us that God’s blessing is based on God’s grace to us through His election of us and is not based on our work, our wisdom, and our will.

“And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac;  for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.”  Just as it is written, “JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.”

…  For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:10-13 and 15-16.

But, there is hope!

“Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”  2 Timothy 1:14.

“Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!“

“5 The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You support my lot.
6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.” Psalm 16:5-6.

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 27:21-29.

“21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come close, that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not.” 22 So Jacob came close to Isaac his father, and he felt him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 He did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands; so he blessed him. 24 And he said, “Are you really my son Esau?” And he said, “I am.” 25 So he said, “Bring it to me, and I will eat of my son’s game, that I may bless you.” And he brought it to him, and he ate; he also brought him wine and he drank. 26 Then his father Isaac said to him, “Please come close and kiss me, my son.” 27 So he came close and kissed him; and when he smelled the smell of his garments, he blessed him and said,

“See, the smell of my son
Is like the smell of a field which the LORD has blessed;
28 Now may God give you of the dew of heaven,
And of the fatness of the earth,
And an abundance of grain and new wine;
29 May peoples serve you,
And nations bow down to you;
Be master of your brothers,
And may your mother’s sons bow down to you.
Cursed be those who curse you,
And blessed be those who bless you.” Genesis 27:21-29.

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Even though Isaac was deceived and did not intend to bless Jacob, but rather intended to only bless Esau, Isaac did in fact bless Jacob, and Isaac was thereby an unintended beneficiary of his own blessing upon Jacob. “… “And blessed be those who bless you.” Verse 28.

We can infer that Isaac was not thinking about himself when he said: “And blessed be those who bless you.” Verse 29. The first part of the verse indicates whom Isaac was likely thinking would be recipients of that blessing.

“May peoples serve you,
And nations bow down to you;
Be master of your brothers,
And may your mother’s sons bow down to you. …” Verse 29.

In our last devotion, we focused on Jacob’s statement which was also a prophecy as to the blessing that he (Jacob) would received from Isaac. Jacob said to Isaac: “… “Because the LORD your God caused it to happen to me.” Genesis 27:20. Emphasis added.

In this devotion, we likewise see that God also caused Isaac to receive a blessing through his own words even though he did not intend his words (“And blessed be those who bless you.”) to apply to himself.

So, like there was hope for Isaac, there is hope for us! God can also cause us to bless the elect and thereby receive a blessing.

We are reminded by “Total Depravity”, the first point of Reformed Doctrine’s “TULIP”, that we did not intend to seek God (or, so to speak, bless God), nevertheless God showed mercy and compassion on us like he did all of God’s elect from Abraham to Isaac to Jacob and many more.

For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” Romans 9:15-16.

Therefore, the main point of this devotion is that if we want to be blessed through “And blessed be those who bless you.”, then, through God’s grace, we should bless the elect.

But, what do we see in so many churches? We see a resistance, a hiding, and a shunning of election a/k/a predestination. Rather than a desire to preach and teach the doctrines of grace summarized by “TULIP” as more fully taught in the Canons of Dordt, we see in too many churches a preference to be socially-orientated rather than to be elect-orientated. We see a preference for community outreach social programs and seeker-sensitive sermons over sermons that edify the elect by speaking of the blessings of election.

I will give you an example of this thinking. Even in one denomination that considers itself as conservative Presbyterian, at its web site, it stated: “The strength of our faith is how we live out our Reformed beliefs in a relentlessly contextual way. Demonstrated by: .. Our call to deeply influence culture with the Gospel, not just protect theology. …”

Do we love election a/k/a predestination or do we preach and teach it as little as necessary “to protect theology”?

Is our primary goal to influence culture or to feed the sheep within our congregation?

Is the music in our worship service rich in Scripture designed to edify the elect or is it 7/11 “praise” music (seven words repeated eleven times) designed to appeal to the senses of anyone walking off the street into the church?

So to speak, do we seek to bless the blessed or do we prefer to bless the unblessed?

And, so to speak, do we curse the blessed by ostracizing or marginalizing those who desire to preach and teach the doctrines of grace summarized by “TULIP” as more fully taught in the Canons of Dordt? Do we love to speak about “hyper-Calvinists” and the “frozen chosen” to belittle them? Do we grumble or roll our eyes when we hear them so preach and teach?

“Now the LORD said to Abram,

…
And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” Genesis 12:1-3.

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 27:1-20.

“Now it came about, when Isaac was old and his eyes were too dim to see, that he called his older son Esau and said to him, “My son.”  And he said to him, “Here I am.”  Isaac said, “Behold now, I am old and I do not know the day of my death.  Now then, please take your gear, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me;  and prepare a savory dish for me such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, so that my soul may bless you before I die.”

Rebekah was listening while Isaac spoke to his son Esau.  So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game to bring home, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Behold, I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, saying, ‘Bring me some game and prepare a savory dish for me, that I may eat, and bless you in the presence of the LORD before my death.’  Now therefore, my son, listen to me as I command you.  Go now to the flock and bring me two choice young goats from there, that I may prepare them as a savory dish for your father, such as he loves.  Then you shall bring it to your father, that he may eat, so that he may bless you before his death.”  Jacob answered his mother Rebekah, “Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man and I am a smooth man.  Perhaps my father will feel me, then I will be as a deceiver in his sight, and I will bring upon myself a curse and not a blessing.”  But his mother said to him, “Your curse be on me, my son;  only obey my voice, and go, get them for me.”  So he went and got them, and brought them to his mother;  and his mother made savory food such as his father loved.  Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son.  And she put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck.  She also gave the savory food and the bread, which she had made, to her son Jacob.

Then he came to his father and said, “My father.”  And he said, “Here I am.  Who are you, my son?”  Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn; I have done as you told me.  Get up, please, sit and eat of my game, that you may bless me.”  Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have it so quickly, my son?”  And he said, “Because the LORD your God caused it to happen to me.”  Genesis 27:1-20.

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God’s sovereignty rules over all, even over our actions and our words.

“The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;
He turns it wherever He wishes.” Proverbs 21:1.

God’s sovereignty rules even over Rebekah’s and Jacob’s intricate actions of deception and Jacob’s choice of words in bold italic font above. Yet, as the following from the Belgic Confession states: “nevertheless, God neither is the author of, nor can be charged with, the sins which are committed.”

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.

Article 13: Of Divine Providence.

We believe that the same God, after he had created all things, did not forsake them, or give them up to fortune or chance, but that he rules and governs them according to his holy will, so that nothing happens in this world without his appointment:  nevertheless, God neither is the author of, nor can be charged with, the sins which are committed.  For his power and goodness are so great and incomprehensible, that he orders and executes his work in the most excellent and just manner, even then, when devils and wicked men act unjustly.  And, as to what he doth surpassing human understanding, we will not curiously inquire into, farther than our capacity will admit of; but with the greatest humility and reverence adore the righteous judgments of God, which are hid from us, contenting ourselves that we are disciples of Christ, to learn only those things which he has revealed to us in his Word, without transgressing these limits.  This doctrine affords us unspeakable consolation, since we are taught thereby that nothing can befall us by chance, but by the direction of our most gracious and heavenly Father;  who watches over us with a paternal care, keeping all creatures so under his power, that not a hair of our head (for they are all numbered), nor a sparrow, can fall to the ground, without the will of our Father, in whom we do entirely trust; being persuaded, that he so restrains the devil and all our enemies, that without his will and permission, they cannot hurt us.  And therefore we reject that damnable error of the Epicureans, who say that God regards nothing, but leaves all things to chance.

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 26:23-25.

“Then he went up from there to Beersheba.  The LORD appeared to him the same night and said,

“I am the God of your father Abraham;
Do not fear, for I am with you.
I will bless you, and multiply your descendants,
For the sake of My servant Abraham.”

So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there;  and there Isaac’s servants dug a well.”  Genesis 26:23-25.

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We see this comforting theme, that God is with us, throughout Scripture.  Here are some examples.

“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous!  Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9.

“The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you;  He will be with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you.  Do not fear or be dismayed.”  Deuteronomy 31:8.

“10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
11 “Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored;
Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish.
12 “You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them,
Those who war with you will be as nothing and non-existent.
13 “For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand,
Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’
14 “Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel;
I will help you,” declares the LORD, “and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 41:10-14.

“But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.” Isaiah 43:1-2.

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;  that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”  John 14:16-17.

“Peace I leave with you;  My peace I give to you;  not as the world gives do I give to you.  Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  John 14:27.

“…  for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”  Hebrews 13:5.

But, there is more!

In addition to all the wonderful Scriptures, God has revealed that His election of us is the reason why He is with us and will never desert us.

“The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying,
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.” Jeremiah 31:3.

In the following Exodus 33:16-19 Scripture, we recognize the nutshell summary of election and discern election to be the reason why God is with us and will never desert us. 

Moses recognized that God’s presence with them was a sign of God’s favor a/k/a election.  God granted Moses’ request and made a declaration which Paul quoted in Romans 9:15 as a nutshell summary of election:  “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.”

“For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people?  Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?”

The LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this thing of which you have spoken;  for you have found favor in My sight and I have known you by name.”  Then Moses said, “I pray You, show me Your glory!”  And He said, “I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you;  and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.”  Exodus 33:16-19.

It also does make sense that when we understand our “Total Depravity”, and yet believe that God chose us, not on the basis of our goodness but based on His purpose, His presence with us is not fleeting and dependent on whether we are good or bad at any particular time, but His presence with us is based on His “everlasting love” to quote Jeremiah 31:3 above.  

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:38-39.