Ahh, here's a believer that relied on outside senses to guide his faith. In his old age, Isaac could not see. (Gen 27.1)
Hebrews 11.20 tells the good part. We are told that "by faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come." However, this verse does not reveal the whole story. In OT times, the birthright or blessing of inheritance, was given to the eldest child. When reading the story of this event in Genesis 27, one discovers how the youngest child, Jacob, used his father's frailness and blindness to obtain such a blessing.
First, a little back story. The only information we are given about Isaac is his miraculous birth to aged parents and how he obtained his bride, Rebekah. (Gen 21 and 24) Both are beautiful testaments of the faithfulness of God to the believer. Also, both are types of God's only Son, the Lord Jesus and His bride, the church. But let us digress to one whose faith had gone adrift.
Because the way had been long. His parents were gone. He was old and probably had not a few health issues, Isaac had grown soft. All he could think of was something to conquer his hungry belly. (Gen 27.4) A lesson to be taken seriously; When the way of the believer has grown long and weary, most of the time all we can see are earthly comforts. Beware!
As the story goes, Jacob, the youngest, was guided by a less than faithful believer (his mother) to scheme and fool this old saint of God for the blessing that was not his to obtain. Also, true of aged, weary Christians who view the blessings of God on others and attempt to get the same that is not theirs to have. Sometimes, the Lord gives gifts of talents, for example, music, and it is sickening to listen to someone who "thinks" they can sing or play an instrument but cannot. Grieving the Holy Spirit, service after service. It is a mess and worse, discourages other believers who are looking for true worship.
Isaac could not understand the full import of relying on emotional, physical feelings rather than faith. He knew the voice was not Esau but relied on everything else but faith to feed his hungry belly. Waiting on the Lord is the hardest thing one will ever do. The Lord Jesus expressed clearly, "My sheep know my voice." (Jn 10.27) Beloved, listen from the depth of your soul. If you've known His voice in salvation, there is no mistaking His voice as you journey home.
Once, only once, this blogger heard Him say, "wait." I didn't and because I didn't that moment of unbelief bore fruit after sixteen years. "The sword has never left this house." I have been forgive and moved on and have know peace and contentment. But I will never know how different things would've/could've been if I had heeded that Voice.
Isaac did not hearken to the Voice (a type of the Lord Jesus) he knew to be Jacob's voice and gave Esau's birthright away. Still, the Lord in His merciful, compassionate way, forgave Jacob for stealing what was not his and bestowed on him the fulfillment of the promise of God's chosen earthly peoples, "Israel." (Gen 32.28, 35.10). Isaac did not get to see the end of the Lord's promises, though he was also forgiven.
When faith gets weak. Don't quit. When faith gets weary. Don't lie down. When faith gets low. Don't forget His promises. Stay true. Ephesians 6.11-17 reveals an arsenal of weaponry at our disposal when faith is in short supply.
By His grace, "you've got this!"
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