Sin can push us into one of two mindsets – passivity, or control. Listen as Liz Curtis Higgs returns to talk about God’s redemption in the midst of both tendencies.
In the book of Genesis, we find the story of Isaac and Rebekah. Rebekah and Isaac had two sons, Jacob and Esau. When it came time for Isaac to pass the fatherly blessing onto one of his sons, Rebekah hatched a plan to make sure Jacob (the younger) was the one to receive it. Liz explains.
“What happened to ‘let’s talk to God and see what God wants to have happen’? Here comes Rebekah… she’s willing to be hated by her husband, to be cursed by God, as long as her son is blessed. Those of us who love our children always think the best thing to do is to make sure everything goes right for them. She just wants it for her son. This isn’t sacrificial; it’s blasphemous.”
What can we learn from Rebekah’s story?
1. We can fall into the trap of asking God to bless what we’re going to do instead of asking Him what He would have us do.
2. The ends do not justify the means. Rebekah’s actions did bring about the blessing to Jacob’s life but the family was broken and Jacob had to flee as a result.
3. Parenting can amplify our controlling tendencies. God often uses children to humble His people and bring them to a place of surrender and trust in Him.
4. Liz calls us to the hard work of giving our children over to God. “The sacrifice is not ‘I’ll do anything to help my son succeed.’ It needs to be ‘I’ll do anything God asks me to do to raise my son to know His Lord.’ If we want our children to honor God, we have to go first.”
Key Scriptures: Ruth 2:5; Genesis 27
Featured Songs: Amen by Chris August; Stronger by Rend Collective; Strong God by Meredith Andrews
