Genesis 27, Matthew 26, Esther 3, Acts 26

Date	Version	Reading Plan
@January 26, 2024	ESV (2016)	M’Cheyne Plan 2024

Genesis 27,

Genesis 27:19–20 (ESV) 19 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, that your soul may bless me.” 20 But Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?” He answered, “Because the LORD your God granted me success.”

Jacob’s deception of his father to receive Isaac’s blessing is manifold; making his hands seem hairy, cooking a goat his mother prepared, wearing his brother’s clothes, alcohol to impair judgment and blatantly lying about the LORD granting him success. All of these tactics were deplorable, but the final one by far the worst. Even still, the blessing on Jacob stood and Esau was to serve his brother as God prior spoke (Gen. 25:23). Jacob’s line would eventually lead to the Messiah, showing God’s power and ability to work great things through broken people.

Matthew 26

Matthew 26:26–29 (ESV) 26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Jesus’ command that all of his disciples were to drink the wine seems especially striking given that it came directly after He said that one of them would betray Him. Judas was to be included in this activity despite what he would go on to do.

Esther 3

Esther 3:15 (ESV) 15 The couriers went out hurriedly by order of the king, and the decree was issued in Susa the citadel. And the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion.

It was not only the Jews that reacted with outrage to the king’s decree of their annihilation but also the Gentiles. The masses do not always respond with integrity, but they did in this case. It was the king and his high minister, Haman, who were out of order.

Acts 26

Acts 26:28–29 (ESV) 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

However long it took, Paul was determined that by his efforts others would be brought to faith in Christ. For some, the Lord prepares the heart in such a way to receive and respond to the gospel with immediate repentance. For others, it can be a longer process of drawing a heart to Himself. Whatever the circumstance, it is by God’s grace that He chooses to reveal Himself in such a way that leads to the saving of souls.

Carson on Genesis 27

…behind these grubby and evil actions [among the Abrahamic family] God is mysteriously working out his purposes to bring the promised line to the end he has determined. Certainly God could have arranged to have Jacob born first, if that was the man he wanted to carry on the line. Instead, Esau is born first, but Jacob is chosen, as if to say that the line is important, but God’s sovereign, intervening choosing is more important than mere human seniority, than mere primogeniture.

Carson brilliantly points out the supremacy of God’s sovereignty over birth order. God could have easily arranged Jacob to be the older and aligned the first-born with the blessing, but instead intentionally chose to bless the younger. This speaks of God who possesses a plan for His creation far beyond our meager comprehension.

Justin Houtz