Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, ‘Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the LORD before I die.’ Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies.” Genesis 27:6-10 NIV
If you throw Mallory a treat and Bella is in the vicinity, Bella will gobble it up before Mallory can open her mouth. If you are playing fetch with Mallory, Bella comes running. If Mallory is getting her butt rubbed, Bella inches her behind in between and expects the same. Bella interferes when Mallory is receiving attention.
Rebekah is a mother with a plan. Her twin boys were as different as night and day. Esau was born first and was set to receive the blessing but Rebekah came up with an idea so Jacob would take the blessing away from his older brother. Mother and son tricked Isaac and Jacob received the blessing. Jacob had to run away to a relative’s house till tempers cooled down but the interference play worked.
Jacob’s story continues to unfold in Genesis. While he was away he stayed with Laban, his mother’s brother. He accumulated great wealth, married Laban’s daughters and had children. Esau also made a life for himself and had great wealth. Esau offered forgiveness and the brothers were reunited eventually.
Jacob had received the blessing from his father, Isaac and through him came the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus Christ came from the tribe of Judah, one of Jacob’s sons with Leah, his first wife. He was truly blessed.
Interference can be a tricky business. Often you get what you want but at what price? Is your family left divided and hurting? God is more than able to work through it all and bring about his plans but there is usually consequences to having your own way. Do you run interference at work to ensure you are on the higher rung of the corporate ladder before any of your coworkers? Let God promote you as you work as unto him.
It does take a village sometimes to raise a family. Have you elevated yourself to mayor of the village as you tell your loved ones the best way to raise their children? Do you interfere in their marriages? The empty nest can be a lonely place but don’t fill it by controlling someone else’s life.
God doesn’t need our interference to carry out his plans. We need to trust him and walk in faith. Those he wants to elevate will be elevated. The positions will be filled by his candidate. He will bless his children. He will make his plans succeed and he will receive all the glory.
Just Another Dog Devotion 