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Blessings for Jacob and Esau
It is comforting to know that despite our best efforts, we cannot undo the Lord’s intent to bless His children. Still, we cannot take this as a license to sin, for our evil ways will inevitably cause us much ...Read More
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Esau’s False Piety
John Calvin writes: “Since it is a disease inherent in the human race, willingly to attempt to deceive God by some fictitious pretext, let us know that we do nothing effectually, until we tear up our sins by the roots ...Read More
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Jacob Sets Out
Matthew Henry says Jacob’s blessing in today’s passage “is more express and full than the former; it is an inheritance of the blessing of Abraham. It is gospel blessing.” Despite his sin and the transgressions of his parents ...Read More
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A Mother’s Advice
Though God’s grace was poured out lavishly despite His people’s wickedness, we must never sin so that grace may abound (Rom. 5:12–6:4). Are you guilty of using an “ends justify the means” theology to achieve ...Read More
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A Lesser Benediction
As we will see tomorrow, Esau does not humbly receive this word from Isaac but instead harbors hatred in his heart toward his brother. Sometimes we too can grow jealous of others that the Lord has apparently blessed more than ...Read More
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Isaac and Esau
Calvin further writes: “The wicked, when punishment overtakes them, bewail the salvation they have lost; but, meanwhile, do not cease to delight themselves in their vices; and instead of heartily seeking after the righteousness of God, they rather desire that ...Read More
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The Patriarchal Blessing
The Bible is clear that the patriarchal blessing finds its fullness in Christ, the truest son of Abraham. Moreover, in His grace, the Father has extended this blessing to all of those who believe in Him (Gal. 3:29). How ...Read More
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Jacob Deceives Isaac
In line with His promise in Romans 8:28, God worked through Jacob’s sin for the final good of His plan. Though Jacob grasped at spiritual benefits through unspiritual means, thereby getting himself into trouble, the Lord was pleased ...Read More
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A Plot is Hatched
Oftentimes the most zealous for the faith are new converts who lack knowledge and thus may promote an erroneous view of the Lord. Unfortunately, those with the most knowledge of biblical truth are sometimes the least zealous for the Gospel ...Read More
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An Oblivious Father
When we seek our satisfaction apart from God’s will and make our own happiness an end in itself, we can end up, consciously or not, plotting against Him. For example, we may consider marriage for purely selfish reasons, thereby ...Read More