23_Pursuing the right thing the wrong way Gen 27:5-10 5 Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it, 6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, 7 ‘Bring me game and prepare for me delicious food, that I may eat it and bless you before the Lord before I die.’ 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice as I command you. 9 Go to the flock and bring me two good young goats, so that I may prepare from them delicious food for your father, such as he loves. 10 And you shall bring it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.” A traveler walking through difficult terrain found a shortcut that promised to save him time and effort. Overjoyed at this discovery, he eagerly took the path. Halfway through, he realized that the shortcut was riddled with hidden dangers and obstacles. Instead of saving time, the path cost him far more in time, effort, and resources than the longer, safer route. This story illustrates a profound truth: pursuing the right thing the wrong way takes us nowhere. Jacob's life, particularly in the events of Genesis 27:1–5, underscores this truth with startling clarity. Jacob likely grew up hearing from Abraham, Isaac and Rebekah about the promises of God to their household. The blessing of being chosen by God, inheriting the promised land, and being a blessing to all nations was no small matter. Jacob’s father, Isaac, was the son of promise, born miraculously to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. Jacob understood that the blessing was something to be greatly desired. However, as the younger of twin sons, Jacob was not in line for the birthright. Esau, Jacob’s twin, was a man of the field. He spent most of his time outdoors, and was probably robust, and full of vitality. His father, Isaac, loved him for the savory meat he hunted and brought to him. Esau’s personality appears to be warm, open, and generous, making him naturally appealing. However, Esau did not think much of God. He undervalued the blessings of God. This flippant attitude is reflected in his decisions. He married Canaanite women, disregarding the covenant heritage. He bartered his birthright to Jacob for a mere bowl of stew, willing to lose eternal blessings to satisfy his immediate appetite. Esau regretted losing both his birthright and his father’s blessing but failed to take responsibility for the choices that led up to this loss. Instead, he put all the blame on Jacob. He never understood that his casual indifference to God had cost him the lasting blessing of God. Jacob, in contrast, felt the value of God’s promises. He believed they were worth possessing. But his faith was not strong enough to teach him to pray and wait on God for his blessing. Impatience often leads to disastrous outcomes. Jacob and his mother Rebekah must have known and remembered God’s promise that the elder would serve