COV LIFE BLOG

Genesis 27 – The Beauty of God’s Grace to the Unworthy

In Genesis 27, we see the blessing passed on to Jacob. As we have walked through the book of Genesis, we’ve been reminded on quite a few occasions of Abraham’s obedience in the light of God’s promises. We see Abraham willing to take his son up the mountain and slay him as a sacrifice. We see Abraham intent to not allow Isaac to return to their homeland for a wife.

But as we look at Jacob, we get an entirely different story. This is not a man who demonstrates his worthiness to receive the covenant. This is a man who attempts to obtain the promise through deceit and sin. This man has already taken advantage of a weak moment in his brother’s life in order to steal his brother’s birthright. And now we see him here tricking his own father in order to steal his brother’s blessing as well.

Our culture would tell us that if we do good things, then we will get good things in return. And yet, this is not how God operates. God doesn’t bless us because we deserve it, but rather despite the fact that we actually don’t deserve it. God doesn’t bless us because we are faithful, but rather because he is faithful. And God doesn’t bless us to show how great we are, but rather to show how great he is.

God’s covenant and his promises are not dependent on our performance. The good news of the gospel is, in fact, the opposite. The gospel is the good news that not because of our performance, but rather despite of it, God remains faithful to his covenant – the new covenant in Christ’s blood, which he poured out for us. And no amount of sin or failure can take away the blessing God has offered to his redeemed and chosen people.

When we read Genesis 27, we don’t take joy because God blesses us for our good works, but rather that despite our evil works, God continues to be faithful and lavishes his blessings upon the church solely by his grace.

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MEDITATION ON THE SERMON PASSAGE
Read Genesis 27.

Do you recognize the great beauty that God doesn’t hold their sin against his people? If you struggle to walk in obedience overflowing from a heart filled with gratitude, then why is that the case? And how can the Spirit grow you in this kind of delight in the glories of the gospel?

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE FOR MEDITATION 
2 Timothy 2:13
If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

SONG FOR THIS WEEK 
How Rich a Treasure We Possess by Matt Boswell