40 Days of Faith: Day 20

Hebrews 11:20 – By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.

There is power in the tongue. James speaks of it. It’s nearly on every page of the book of Proverbs, and as many of the Old Testament saints neared their death, they would bring their children near to speak a blessing over them.

As you read Hebrews 11:20, you see what seems to be a very positive spin on a fairly negative story. Isaac’s sons, Esau and Jacob enter the picture. These are Abraham’s grandsons. Ideally, the stories of these two would be of unity and togetherness. They were twins, and if you recall their birth story, these two were wrestling in the womb before they were born.

As the story unfolds, you understand that these two brothers are opposites. Esau does his work in the fields. He is a hunter. He is a man’s man, and he is loved by his father. Isaac loved the food he provided him.

Jacob, on the other hand, is what many would refer to as a momma’s boy. He was loved by his mother, Rebecca, and she worked with Jacob so that he could receive Esau’s birthright and then his father’s blessing that he was intending to give to Esau.

In ancient cultures, the patriarch would gather his children around him as his death came near, and he would speak a blessing of some sort to each of them. In many ways, it was his wish, or even prophetic. Look at how the Harper’s Bible Dictionary defines this practice. It states:
Parental Blessing – the blessing given by a father to his children, especially that given to his firstborn son. Normally given when the father is an old man nearing death (Gen. 27:2; 48:21; 49:1), this blessing forms part of his testamentary farewell to his children.[1]

Notice that the blessing was to the firstborn son. That’s what was playing out when Jacob and his mom Rebecca snuck in while Esau was hunting, and Jacob, being true to his name, deceived his blind father.

Conceptually, once the blessing was spoken, it was irrevocable. When Esau came in from the field it became evident that Jacob had stolen his brother’s blessing that his father was to give him.

So, why does the writer of Hebrews seem to make this dysfunctional moment something to celebrate? Or is there something more we are to consider so that we can understand his thinking regarding this moment?

First, we must understand that just before their births, Rebecca inquired of the Lord about these two boys wrestling in her womb. It says in Genesis 25:23:
“And the Lord said to her,
‘Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided;
the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.’”

In this inquiry, there is a declaration from the Lord that the older twin shall serve his younger brother.

Second, we need to see that despite the folly of this family, and there was plenty of blame to go around, the Lord’s purpose still prevailed. I believe that this is what the writer of Hebrews is truly celebrating.

Nate Holdridge, contemporary Bible teacher and pastor notes that Isaac initially resisted God’s plan—wanting to bless Esau—but ultimately yielded when he realized God’s promise favored Jacob. His trembling and eventual acceptance showed obedience when God’s purposes didn’t align with his own desires.[2]

 Warren Wiersbe says:
 “In Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, we have four generations of faith. These men sometimes failed, but basically, they were men of faith. They were not perfect, but they were devoted to God and trusted His Word. Isaac passed the promises and the blessings along to Jacob (Gen. 27), and Jacob shared them with his twelve sons (Gen. 48–49).”[3]

I take hope in the fact that though highly dysfunctional and of questionable character, God’s ways still prevailed. Just image how much more could take place with obedient, kind, loving people!

As you consider these words, consider what God the Father did for His son, Jesus, at Jesus’ baptism. Matthew 3:16-17 says,
“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’”

What do we see the Father say as he sees the Son coming up out of the water at his baptism? He says, “That’s my boy! I love him and I am very pleased with him.” Those are powerful words, aren’t they?

If the Heavenly Father chose to speak blessing in the Eternal Son’s life, how much more should we?

As a father, I am so thankful that my children’s future success isn’t based on my perfection. But also, as a father, I know that there is power in the words I speak into and over their lives. Sometimes God is gracious in spite of us, but I hope I am not fighting him in what He wants to do with my children.

The story of Isaac reminds me that God’s purposes are never thwarted, even in the middle of our failures, dysfunctions, or misunderstandings. Isaac struggled to embrace God’s plan, yet he still spoke blessing over his sons—and in doing so, he participated in God’s unfolding story. Our words carry weight. When we speak life, truth, and blessing over our children, grandchildren, and spiritual sons and daughters, we are shaping their future and aligning ourselves with God’s purposes. Today, let’s not underestimate the power of a blessing. Take a moment to speak words of life over someone in your family or in your circle of influence. Declare God’s promises over them and remind them who they are in Christ. Your faith-filled words can echo for generations.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for the example of Isaac, who—even in his weakness—spoke blessings that carried the weight of Your promises. Help me to use my words to build up, encourage, and strengthen those You’ve entrusted to me. Guard me from speaking in frustration or doubt, and instead fill my mouth with words of faith, hope, and love. May my children, grandchildren, and those I disciple hear from me the same kind of blessing You spoke over Jesus: that they are loved, chosen, and pleasing in Your sight. Let my words plant seeds of faith that grow for generations to come. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

[1] Achtemeier, P. J., Harper & Row and Society of Biblical Literature. (1985). In Harper’s Bible dictionary (1st ed., p. 751). Harper & Row.
[2] Enduring Word Bible Commentary Hebrews Chapter 11
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 319). Victor Books.