As Isaac’s time to die drew near, he intended to bless his dfavorite son, Esau. However, Rebekah overheard the conversation between Isaac and Esau, and she devised a plan to ensure that Jacob would inherit the blessing. The plan succeeded, and Jacob received the blessing from Isaac. However, this enraged Esau, and Jacob was forced to leave home. Let us reflect on the mistakes made by Isaac’s family and the causes behind them and learn lessons of faith that we can apply to our own lives. 1: Isaac’s sin. His mistake was that, even though God had told him He would bless Jacob, he tried to bless Esau instead. 2: Rebekah’s Sin. It was God’s will that Jacob receive the blessing. However, Rebekah sinned by attempting to achieve this through human means and by deceiving her husband. 3: Jacob’s sin. Even though he had followed his mother’s scheme, he was still at fault for deceiving his father. Interestingly, he would later experience being deceived by his uncle and his own sons. Through this experience, he came to understand the pain of being deceived by others. 4: Esau’s sin. Although he was furious with Jacob, he had already forfeited his birthright, which belonged to Jacob. His problem was that he had disregarded spiritual matters. There are two lessons we should learn from their failures. First, God accomplishes His will through imperfect human beings. Although we are all imperfect, God will surely fulfill what He has spoken. Second, we must recognize the importance of trusting in God’s Word. If Isaac and his family had fully trusted in God’s promise, these tragic events would not have occurred. Let us learn from their failures and live our lives trusting in God’s promises.
イサクの死期が近づいた時、彼は自分の気に入っていた息子エサウを祝福しようとした。しかしながら、イサクとエサウの会話をリベカが盗み聞きし、彼女はヤコブに祝福を相続させるための策略を立てた。その策略は成功し、ヤコブはイサクから祝福を受けたものの、エサウを激怒させた事で、ヤコブは家を離れなければならなくなった。イサク一家の犯した過ちとその原因について考え、私達に適応できる信仰のレッスンについて学ぶ。1:イサクの罪。彼の過ちは、神がヤコブを祝福すると告げていたにも関わらず、エサウを祝福しようとしていた事にある。それは神への不従順であった。2:リベカの罪。彼女がヤコブに祝福を相続させようとした事は、神の御旨に適っていた。しかしながら、彼女は人間的な方法でそれを実現させようとし、夫を騙した点に罪があった。3:ヤコブの罪。母親の立てた策略に従ったとはいえ、彼も父親を騙した点に罪があった。興味深い事に、彼は後に叔父や息子達から騙される経験をする。それによって彼は人から騙される事の痛みを学んだのである。4:エサウの罪。彼はヤコブに対し激怒したが、そもそも自ら長子の権利を放棄していた。彼の問題は、霊的な事柄を軽んじた事にある。四人の失敗から私達が学ぶべきレッスンは二つある。第一に、神は不完全な人間を通して、ご自身の御心を実現される。私達は皆不完全な者であるが、神は必ずご自分の語った事を実現されるのだ。第二に、神の言葉に信頼する事の重要性である。もしもイサクと彼の家族が、神の約束の完全に信頼していたら、これらの悲惨なドラマは起こらなかったであろう。彼らの失敗から学び、私達は神の約束に信頼して生きよう。
