

Genesis 27:30-41 - As soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, when Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, Esau his brother came in from his hunting. He also prepared delicious food and brought it to his father. And he said to his father, "Let my father arise and eat some of his son's game, that you may bless me." His father Isaac said to him, "Who are you?" He answered, "I am your son, your firstborn, Esau." Then Isaac trembled very violently and said, "Who was it then that hunted game and brought it to me, and I ate it all before you came, and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed." As soon as Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry and said to his father, "Bless me, even me also, O my father!" But he said, "Your brother came deceitfully, and he has taken away your blessing." And Esau said, "Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing." Then he said, "Have you not reserved a blessing for me?" And Isaac said to Esau, "Behold, I have made Jacob lord over you, and all his brothers I have given to him for servants, and with grain and wine I have sustained him. What then can I do for you, my son?" Esau said to his father, "Have you but one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father." And Esau lifted up his voice and wept. Then Isaac his father answered him and said: "Behold, away from the fatness of the earth your dwelling will be, and away from the dew of heaven on high. By your sword you will live, and you shall serve your brother; but when you grow restless you shall break his yoke from your neck." Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him.
This devotion pairs with this weekend's Lutheran Hour sermon, which can be found at lhm.org.
The name Jacob means "heel-grabber," trickster, deceiver, usurper. Wouldn't it be great if all of our siblings' names were so transparent? "This is my brother, 'Stinky.' And my other brother, 'Lego Thief.' And my sister, 'She-Who-Camps-Out-in-the-Bathroom.'" You could just introduce them and everybody would know what to expect.
That's what Esau got in Jacob. And the net result was a fracture in the family of God that would not be repaired until Esau got a better Brother in Jesus. "Jesus" means "Savior." You can just say His Name and know what to expect.
Isaac warned his son Esau: a brother like Jacob will make you restless. You won't be able to tolerate his lordship. With him in charge, nothing will go quite right. And one day you'll break off his yoke from your neck. But Jesus is better, a Brother you can truly look up to. He says, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart" (Matthew 11:28-29a).
Jesus, crucified and risen, ruling and returning, sends us back into the thick of it, to deal with substandard siblings, to love them for Christ's sake. Are they still a piece of work? Is he still trying to trip you up? Does she still hog the bathroom? Probably. But look up and see the Brother who died to save them. Look past their faults. Take up His yoke. Learn from Him. Find rest for your soul.
WE PRAY: Dear Jesus, You came to be my Lord and my Brother. Thank You for a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour.
Reflection Questions:
1. What comes to mind when you think of "sibling rivalry"? Any personal stories?
2. There's lots of ways to say the Gospel, including, "Jesus came to be your Brother." How might that sound like "bad news" to someone?
3. Why is it meant to be good news? Does it strike you as such?
Today's Bible Readings: Isaiah 7-8 Acts 20:17-38
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