A Pragmatic Mother, A Prayerful Messiah
Genesis 27
Rebecca knew the will of God.
Before her twin sons were born, the Lord had spoken clearly: “The older will serve the younger.” (Gen. 25:23). She carried that promise in her heart for decades. Yet when the moment came for the promise to be fulfilled, she chose not to trust the One who gave it. Instead, she decided to help Him.
Isaac, old and blind, prepared to bless Esau, the son he loved and the one whom the culture and custom said should receive the blessing.
Rebecca overheard the plan.
So, what did she do? Did she pray or rest in the Lord’s promise? Did she go to her husband and remind him of God’s decree? No.
She dressed Jacob in Esau’s clothes, covered his smooth skin with goat hair, and coached him to steal what God had already promised to give him! The cost was immediate and lasting: a fractured marriage, a fleeing son, and a family torn apart for years.
Rebecca thought the end justified the means. She believed God’s will was right, but that His timing and method needed her assistance. In doing so, she treated the sovereign God like a project she had to complete.
Now stand at the edge of Holy Week and another moment of decision. Jesus knows the Father’s will with absolute clarity. The cross is not a surprise; it is the plan. Yet in Gethsemane He does not scheme. He does not manipulate circumstances or people. He does not look for a quicker, cleaner way. Instead, He falls on His face and prays, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matt. 26:39).
Do you notice the difference? Rebecca said, in effect, “I know God’s will; now let me make it happen.” Jesus said, “I know God’s will; let me become the means by which it happens—even if the means is betrayal, scourging, and death.” Rebecca reached for control. Jesus released it.
Rebecca deceived her husband. Jesus submitted to His Father. Rebecca’s way produced exile and regret. Christ’s way produced salvation for the world. Jesus accomplished the Father’s will, refusing every shortcut along the way. He would not lie to Pilate, bribe a soldier, or call down angels. He would only obey—fully, painfully, perfectly.
We are more like Rebecca than we admit. We know God’s promises—forgiveness, provision, sanctification—and then we reach for our own goat skins and clever words to hurry them along. We manipulate relationships, shade the truth, or grasp for control “for a good cause.” Holy Week confronts us with the better way: the way of the cross.
Grace Fellowship Church… don’t seek the will of God more than you seek God Himself in the person of Christ. He is both the MEANS and the END of all we desire. Nothing fills our hearts like Jesus!
This week, lay down all your schemes and pray as Jesus did: “Not my will, but Yours, be done.”
The God who needs no help from Rebecca is the same God who was pleased to save us through the willing obedience of His Son. In that surrender, we find the blessing Rebecca tried so hard to steal—the blessing that can only be received as a gift of grace.
Before her twin sons were born, the Lord had spoken clearly: “The older will serve the younger.” (Gen. 25:23). She carried that promise in her heart for decades. Yet when the moment came for the promise to be fulfilled, she chose not to trust the One who gave it. Instead, she decided to help Him.
Isaac, old and blind, prepared to bless Esau, the son he loved and the one whom the culture and custom said should receive the blessing.
Rebecca overheard the plan.
So, what did she do? Did she pray or rest in the Lord’s promise? Did she go to her husband and remind him of God’s decree? No.
She dressed Jacob in Esau’s clothes, covered his smooth skin with goat hair, and coached him to steal what God had already promised to give him! The cost was immediate and lasting: a fractured marriage, a fleeing son, and a family torn apart for years.
Rebecca thought the end justified the means. She believed God’s will was right, but that His timing and method needed her assistance. In doing so, she treated the sovereign God like a project she had to complete.
Now stand at the edge of Holy Week and another moment of decision. Jesus knows the Father’s will with absolute clarity. The cross is not a surprise; it is the plan. Yet in Gethsemane He does not scheme. He does not manipulate circumstances or people. He does not look for a quicker, cleaner way. Instead, He falls on His face and prays, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matt. 26:39).
Do you notice the difference? Rebecca said, in effect, “I know God’s will; now let me make it happen.” Jesus said, “I know God’s will; let me become the means by which it happens—even if the means is betrayal, scourging, and death.” Rebecca reached for control. Jesus released it.
Rebecca deceived her husband. Jesus submitted to His Father. Rebecca’s way produced exile and regret. Christ’s way produced salvation for the world. Jesus accomplished the Father’s will, refusing every shortcut along the way. He would not lie to Pilate, bribe a soldier, or call down angels. He would only obey—fully, painfully, perfectly.
We are more like Rebecca than we admit. We know God’s promises—forgiveness, provision, sanctification—and then we reach for our own goat skins and clever words to hurry them along. We manipulate relationships, shade the truth, or grasp for control “for a good cause.” Holy Week confronts us with the better way: the way of the cross.
Grace Fellowship Church… don’t seek the will of God more than you seek God Himself in the person of Christ. He is both the MEANS and the END of all we desire. Nothing fills our hearts like Jesus!
This week, lay down all your schemes and pray as Jesus did: “Not my will, but Yours, be done.”
The God who needs no help from Rebecca is the same God who was pleased to save us through the willing obedience of His Son. In that surrender, we find the blessing Rebecca tried so hard to steal—the blessing that can only be received as a gift of grace.
Prayer: Ask the Lord to forgive any Rebecca-like scheming to accomplish His will your way. Ask Him to teach you Christ’s full surrender so you can pray with Jesus, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” Amen.
Song: “Your Will Be Done” CityAlight