"The PERSISTENCE of DECEPTION!"

In the Old Testament (OT), the birth of twins was the sign of a special blessing. I am convinced that God uses "twins" to contrast various ideologies, paradigms and systems we encounter in everyday life. Deception is ruthless in its pursuit of the weak in spirit.

In the case of these two brothers, we have "conflicting nations" as was prophesied in Gen 25:23, as the Lord God spoke directly to Rebekah during her pregnancy. One nation, Jacob (Israel) and the other nation Esau (Edom). 

As is custom, the story is replete with intrigue, chaos and manipulation. We see the boys growing into their identities and the character of these two are no different than any of us who grew up in a family with siblings close to our own age. The "twist" in this tale is that Esau, being the firstborn in OT culture was a big deal! His inheritance included a "double portion" of  his father's estate. I mean, his father was Abraham for crying out loud; and, needless to say, Abraham was loaded!

But the thing these boys had in common with their father Abraham is the spirit of "deception." You see, deception is persistent; it permeates generations. It is the intention of deception to captivate your FAITH. Deception is the antithesis of TRUTH. Truth will chase you into your dreams at night and be waiting for you when you wake up in the morning!

As we grow into spiritual maturity, the Lord God says, "If you want an answer from Me, you are going to have to come closer to Me!" When you take your "stuff" before God, you can't just leave it and then run away. You have to stay there in the Presence of the Lord and be dealt with. This is called "repentance."

It is alright to leave your "stuff" (transgressions) in the past, as long as you have presented that "stuff" to God. The generational curse of deception fell upon Jacob when he tricked Esau out of his inheritance. Even though no one else was present, their verbal oath to one another was binding. Jacob's trickery of Esau didn't become serious to him until he learned of his brother's intent to come and kill him (Gen. 32).

Jacob was committed to the deception until the very end:

1. He "stole" Esau's birthright;
2. He lied to and deceived his father Abraham on his death bed to receive the "blessing;"
3. He committed "bribery" in the face of impending death with gifts to Esau;
4. He appealed to God after being exposed about his "lineage" in order to save his own skin (as if the Lord God didn't know he was Abraham's son);
5. He sent out messengers in companies with 'lies" of his following right behind them;
6. His referred to Esau as "lord" (manipulation); however the messengers called him what he was, "your brother." (Gen. 32:6);
7. Jacob stayed in the camp out of fear, although he professed to be in the procession;
8. He put Leah and her kids at risk as he sent them out first, thinking that if Esau attacked he would kill them first and then he would be able to escape with Rachel and Joseph.
9. The "name changes" they received from God are a byproduct of an intimate encounter with God. It is a painful and life altering experience. But it is necessary...for all of us!

The twins are symbiotic in their relationship. They are as symbiotic as good and evil, darkness and light and deception and truth. Through it all, God gave Jacob the name "Israel" (Prince of God). A prince is the son of the King. What Jacob wanted (his brother's birthright) was diametrically opposed to what God wanted from his life (SON SHIP). 

It is clear that God's inheritance for the Body of Christ is that of son ship (to know us as joint heirs with Christ).