Nougat 9

Hello dear ones

I pray you well. How many of us have ever experienced heartbreak from the words or actions of an adult? Or have we been guilty of diminishing a child by our actions? Today’s Holy Nougat offers an opportunity to turn things around.

“May God pass on to you and your descendants the blessings he promised to Abraham. May you own this land where you are now living as a foreigner, for God gave this land to Abraham.”” … “So Jacob returned to his father, Isaac, in Mamre, which is near Kiriath-arba (now called Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had both lived as foreigners.” Genesis‬ 28:4; ‭35:27‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Some thirty years had passed between Isaac’s blessing Jacob at the start of his ‘exile’, and Jacob’s return to Isaac. Thirty years!!! Although we are journeying with Jacob, this is also Isaac’s moment. He may have felt like Simeon – “now let Your servant depart in peace Lord …” or like the prodigals’ father. (Except he couldn’t see his son from afar, but the sentiment may have been similar.)

He was alive and able to see the fulfillment of God’s/his prophetic word over his son’s life. What a moment! And with Jacob back; the rift was healed. That is not to imply that the brothers became best friends – hardly likely. But the fact of his return means Jacob was ready to walk into his inheritance unopposed; a fact that must by then have pleased Isaac.

I wonder though, was Isaac aware of God’s favouring of Jacob all his life? Was it easy to bless Jacob as he sent him away to Padan-Aram? Who tended the property in Jacob’s absence?

If Isaac were aware of God’s favour on Jacob’s life – why would; rather, why did he gravitate to Esau, and try to make Esau heir? The fact is; us adults (parents and grandparents also) sometimes allow our biases to overflow in children’s lives; and not always for the best. Is it time for us to audit what we speak into the lives of others in our care?

For sure, Jacob was wrong to betray his brother and trick his father. But were his actions motivated by the absence of an active father figure in his life? Men, are you physically and emotionally available for your children – of your loins and your spirit? When and what do you speak into their lives?

This isn’t a men’s issue only, so the questions also turn to all of us –

And, when we see that we spoke out of turn to our children; are we open to speak anew as Isaac did over Jacob? Are we man enough to apologize? Can we rejoice in their successes? Are we open to accept the blessings God bestowed upon them? Will we receive them in humility and with open hearts?

I pray we can and will.

In Christ’s love and grace . . .