Christian Foundations

DEVOTIONAL ARCHIVE

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Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, ‘Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.’  Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you:  Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it.  Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies.”
--Genesis 27:6-10

Rebekah was a woman of faith in her youth. She was chaste, beautiful, courteous, helpful, industrious, hospitable, and trustworthy. As the chosen bride of Isaac, God rewarded her faithfulness with a monogamous marriage and twins, Esau and Jacob.

But because of Rebekah’s weakness in faith, she later brought about rivalry, deceit, and contention in her home because of a lack of respect for her husband’s leadership and favoritism among her sons.

Rebekah took into her own hands the future of her sons and manipulated the situation of birthright and blessing given by Isaac to the eldest. Even if her motive was pure, her actions were wrong. In the end, she paid the price by living out the rest of her life in separation from both of her sons and in a broken relationship with her husband.

Although we may not recognize this as often as other sins, manipulation is rooted in pride and selfishness. It involves viewing others as objects, not individuals, and seeks to limit situations through control. The direct tools of manipulation are position, power, deception, and distortion.

Scripture is full of examples dealing with manipulation. Just as Rebekah manipulated Isaac, so did Sarah manipulate Abraham, her husband, and her servant, Hagar, so that she could control what God had already promised. In every instance, manipulation brought about sorrow rather than joy.

Anytime a believer loses trust in God and begins focusing on self, then the possibility of manipulation exists. Never take matters into your own hands or attempt to control the outcome. Instead, examine your own heart and determine that you will trust in God no matter what to do the right thing in every situation.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask God to keep your focus on Him and root your faith in trusting Him alone through everything in life.

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