Isaac's Last Supper- F w/MCE

 

F w/MCE???

We usually read the Bible through the lens of people.  We focus on the characters and the contributions they each make.  But there’s a character that plays a pivotal role in so many stories, and yet somehow never makes the credits- food.

“F w/MCE” is the shortened version of the title of this blog series- “Food with Main Character Energy.”  Each post will examine one story, the role food plays in the story, and what we can learn from its contributions.

The phrase, “main character energy” was trending not that long ago, but I didn’t pick it because of its cultural relevance.  I picked that phrase because I think it serves as a good place holder to one theological truth:

Jesus is THE main character
of every story in the Bible. 

But there are more than few instances where food steps into the spotlight with main character energy and this series takes note.  I hope you enjoy it, are encouraged, and maybe even a little surprised. ;)

Isaac’s “Last Supper”- Genesis 27:1-40

In Genesis 27, Isaac calls in his first-born son, Esau, and tells him (paraphrased), ‘I might be dying, go make me my favorite meal so that I can bless you and die.’  An elaborate plan of deception results in Jacob receiving the blessing, not Esau.  If you haven’t read it recently, please give it a quick read, to verse 40. Genesis 27:1-40 <<< Link to Passage

This whole story is centered around what is allegedly Isaac’s dying request- a last meal.  Here are three lessons we can learn from this meal.  

 

Lesson 1: Self-Awareness

This meal created the opportunity for Isaac to be deceived.  Rebekah overheard him asking for it and that led to the plan to steal the blessing for Jacob.  Yes, Rebekah’s actions were malicious but had Isaac not asked for the meal, she would have never seen this opportunity to deceive him.  Scripture tells us that God is our comforter (Psalm 119:76), but Isaac asked for “comfort food.”  In this moment of self-pity, he turned to the wrong place for comfort, and that made him vulnerable.

There will always be Rebekah’s in this world.  There will always be people around us ready to exploit our vulnerabilities.  It is impossible for us to completely remove these people from our lives.  So, what can we do?  We can be mindful of our own vulnerabilities.  We can do the work of self-inventory, give these things to God, and guard them well. 

What behavioral patterns leave you vulnerable? Yours might be self-pity, like Isaac.  It might be pride, or your own need for praise.  It might be your children or a relationship where you are overly invested.  It might greed or wealth or the feeling of stability.  It might be something not on this list.  But do you know what it is?  It is important to know your soft spots, because I guarantee you this- Satan already has your list.  

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly place.” Ephesians 6:12

Lesson 2: Impulses

When Jacob enters the room, Isaac knows something is off.  The text even records that Isaac noted that the voice was that of Jacob not Esau.  Isaac asks to feel and smell Jacob, because he knows it’s not Esau.  But he’s also smelling that delicious food.  In this moment his “gut” is telling him two things- 1: something is off and 2: that food is going to be tasty. 

What happens?  He gives in to his appetite.  He allows the hunger of the moment to alter the trajectory of all of humanity.

Luckily, for me and you, we will likely never make decisions with such dramatic, long-term consequences.  BUT that shouldn’t give us the license to dismiss the lesson altogether.  How often do we give into impulses when deep down we know- there was a better choice to be made?

How often do we let our
cravings ruin our blessings?

Lesson 3: Faith

This whole scandal is centered around Isaac’s “last” meal, but he actually continues to live for at least two more decades.  (Jacob leaves, spends over 20 years in Paddan-aram, and returns before Isaac is buried.)  He was losing his sight; he wasn’t losing his vigor for life. 

He was so busy grieving his loss of sight, throwing his own pity party, that he lost grasp of reality.  He magnified his problems to the point that they consumed him.  Yes, life as he knew it would change, but it was a LONG way from over.  I’d be willing to bet that Rebekah fixed him that same meal MANY more times before she died.  He’s over there thinking it’s his last meal when God had two more decades of leading and legacy planned for him.

I have a lot in common with Isaac.  I have days when I get overwhelmed and consumed by my losses.  I have days when the grieving is so intense, that I can’t see tomorrow.  But that doesn’t mean it’s not there.  God’s Word tells me that He has a calling on my life and a plan for my future.  That is true, even when I cannot see it.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

I can think of others who have endured much more painful losses than me.  I suspect that many of us have days when we want to plan a last supper and throw in the towel.  But these are the moments when we have to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2) Because faith is about what we cannot see.

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”  Hebrews 11:1

Isaac lost his sight, both literal and metaphorical.  He lost view of his purpose.  He lost his faith, the most important blessing that he should have passed on to his sons.  In this regard, let us be less like Isaac.  Let us not be consumed by our losses and grieving.  Let us not throw our own pity parties.  Let us focus on the goodness of God’s steadfast love and move forward in the plans that He has for us!