舊約人物：雅各的謊言
創世記二十七章1至10節
1以撒年老，眼睛昏花，不能看見，就叫了他大兒子以掃來，說：我兒。以掃說：我在這裡。
2他說：我如今老了，不知道那一天死。
3現在拿你的器械，就是箭囊和弓，往田野去為我打獵，
4照我所愛的做成美味，拿來給我吃，使我在未死之先給你祝福。
5以撒對他兒子以掃說話，利百加也聽見了。以掃往田野去打獵，要得野味帶來。
6利百加就對他兒子雅各說：我聽見你父親對你哥哥以掃說：
7你去把野獸帶來，做成美味給我吃，我好在未死之先，在耶和華面前給你祝福。
8現在，我兒，你要照著我所吩咐你的，聽從我的話。
9你到羊群裡去，給我拿兩隻肥山羊羔來，我便照你父親所愛的給他做成美味。
10你拿到你父親那裡給他吃，使他在未死之先給你祝福。
信息分享
以撒的話令禍端始起。神並未命他為任何人祝福，他卻對長子以掃說：「現在是時候讓我給你祝福。」他說：「我將要死了。」但據我們所知，他再多活了八十年。
未得到神的吩咐便去做，與拒絕聽從神的吩咐是一樣的錯。我們也常常這樣的悖逆。
故事接下來，講到以掃按著父親的吩咐出去打獵。而他的母親利百加也在暗中聽見了丈夫的話。她當然不會坐視不理，讓她寵愛的兒子雅各吃虧。
於是醜惡的事情發生了──我們讀到的不是禱告而是人的計謀和操縱，不是誠實而是謊言，不是順服而是狡詐。
次子雅各穿上毛皮，捧著羊肉走進父親的帳棚中。食物是謊言，衣服是謊言，他說的話也是謊言；以撒卻相信了他並為他祝福。
沒有錯，神的心意的確是要雅各得到祝福；但神會如何成就？我們不知道。神卻並不需要利百加的「幫忙」，更不需要雅各的謊話。祂已應許了雅各，只是利百加迫不及待。
等候並不容易。但憑著單純的信心，我們就必看見所應許的成就。沒有神的吩咐，我們不需做甚麼。
經文反思：
「凡等候祂的，都是有福的！」（賽三十18）
OLD TESTAMENT HEROES: JACOB
Genesis 27:1-10
1 Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son.”
And he answered him, “Here I am.”
2 Then he said, “Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death.
3 Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me.
4 And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.”
5 Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt game and to bring it.
6 So Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, “Indeed I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying,
7 ‘Bring me game and make savory food for me, that I may eat it and bless you in the presence of the LORD before my death.’
8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to what I command you.
9 Go now to the flock and bring me from there two choice kids of the goats, and I will make savory food from them for your father, such as he loves.
10 Then you shall take it to your father, that he may eat it, and that he may bless you before his death.”
Message
Father Isaac caused the crisis when he said, 'Esau, it's time for me to bless you.' But there was no word from God to bless anyone. Isaac said, 'I'm going to die soon.' As far as we can tell, he lived about another 80 years!
It is as wrong to act without a word from God as it is to refuse to act when He does speak. We ourselves can be guilty of that, can't we?
To continue the story: Esau went away to hunt for wild game as his father had asked. But Mother Rebekah had been listening. Her favourite son was not going to miss out, if she could help it.
Then follows the sad story - instead of prayer there were planning and manipulating. There was lying instead of honesty, scheming instead of submission.
Watch the younger twin go into his father's tent with goat meat dressed up as venison. The food was a lie. His clothes were a lie. His words were lies. But Isaac accepted him and blessed him.
Yes, it was God's will that Jacob should receive the blessing. How would God have brought it about? We may never know. But God didn't need Rebekah's help. He didn't need Jacob's lies. He had promised the blessing to Jacob, but Rebekah couldn't wait.
Waiting is not easy. But simple faith in the promises of God will always see their fulfillment. God doesn't need our help except when He asks for it.
A VERSE FOR TODAY: 'Blessed are those who wait for him.' (Isaiah 30:18)