But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.”
Genesis 27:35 NIV
The story of Jacob and Esau in Genesis 27 is more than a tale of sibling rivalry—it’s a sobering reminder of the sacred weight of God’s blessings and the urgency of guarding them. When Rebekah and Jacob conspired to steal Esau’s birthright, they exposed a truth we cannot ignore: the enemy seeks to rob you of your blessing—what God has ordained, but our vigilance determines what we keep.
Isaac’s words to Esau cut deep: “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing”. Though Jacob’s methods were dishonourable, Isaac confirmed the irrevocable nature of the blessing. “I blessed him—and indeed he will be blessed” (v. 33). Once spoken, the blessing carried divine authority, leaving Esau weeping, “Bless me—me too, my father!” (v. 34). Yet Isaac had nothing left to give. The tragedy here is twofold: Esau carelessly traded his birthright earlier (Genesis 25:33), and now, through deception, he lost what remained.
This mirrors a spiritual reality: blessings from God are precious, but they require our active stewardship.
Rebekah and Jacob’s haste reveals the enemy’s playbook—deception, urgency, and opportunism. Just as they rushed to secure the blessing before Esau returned, Satan works tirelessly to exploit our complacency. He thrives in moments of spiritual laziness, half-hearted prayer, or delayed obedience. Esau’s story warns us that blessings can be lost when we prioritise temporary desires over eternal inheritance.
The enemy’s goal is not merely to distract but to dispossess—to strip believers of their God-given authority, joy, and purpose.
Isaac’s final words to Esau—“You will live away from the earth’s richness… and serve your brother” (Genesis 27:39-40)—underscore the cost of forfeited blessings. Yet within this judgment, grace lingered: “You will throw off [Jacob’s] yoke” (v. 40). Even in consequence, God leaves a door for redemption.
How, then, do we guard our blessings?
- Recognise the Battle: Spiritual warfare is real (Ephesians 6:12). The enemy targets our prayer life, relationships, and calling. Like Esau, we risk loss when we ignore the stakes.
- Act with Urgency: Procrastination and passivity invite theft. Jacob’s deceit succeeded because Esau delayed. What prayers have we postponed? What promises have we neglected to pursue?
- Cherish What’s Sacred: Esau wept because he finally grasped the value of what he’d lost. Let us not wait for regret to awaken gratitude. Every blessing—salvation, peace, purpose—is a gift to treasure, not a right to exploit.
- Lean on Divine Strength: Vigilance isn’t about human effort but dependence on God. As Paul urges, “Stand firm against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11)—a posture rooted in prayer, Scripture, and humility.
While earthly blessings may be plundered, Christ secures an unshakable inheritance for those who trust Him. Unlike Isaac’s limited blessings, Jesus offers “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:3). No scheming can rob what He has sealed.
Yet the call remains: guard your heart, time, and faith; guard your blessing. Let Esau’s tears remind us—what we protect today shapes our legacy tomorrow.