Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, so that you may bless me.”
Genesis 27:19
Dear members and friends,
Jacob might be the most questionable figure in the entire Bible. He famously tricks his brother, Esau, into selling the birthright for a bowl of stew, and later lies to his blind father to steal the blessing meant for the eldest son. Yet, looking at the immediate aftermath of his mischievous efforts, what did Jacob actually gain in the physical world? Just two things: a furious brother and a one-way ticket out of town. He left his home empty-handed. Jacob didn’t inherit a single material asset from his father Isaac—wealth that had been carefully built up since the days of his grandfather, Abraham.
Instead of anything material, Jacob inherited something invisible, yet eternal: the constant accompaniment and presence of God. However, this most likely was not in his mind, when Jacob desired to have what was meant for Esau. Thus, it is highly possible that Jacob initially set out to secure a grand physical inheritance, completely unaware of what he was truly asking for. Without knowing it, his actions lead him to a heroic, lifelong mission to become the instrument through which God’s promise to Abraham would materialize.
Being human is a profoundly challenging journey. Life rarely hands us easy answers; it gives us choices. We often work tirelessly to gain a specific prize, only to find that the ultimate destination looks entirely different from what we expected at the beginning. Jacob’s story reminds us that while our earthly lives are filled with uncertainties, we are called to do our best at every moment, moving toward what we truly desire to achieve. Not knowing the future is not a curse; it is a promise, and even a blessing. A benevolent, loving God is always present, quietly guiding us to make the best out of our choices and endeavors.
My brothers and sisters in God, let us take a moment this week for deep, quiet prayer. In the stillness, let us listen not only to what we speak to God, but also to what God is whispering back to us.
Blessings,
Rev. Junchol Lee