Genesis 27:19-20
In Genesis 27, we find a story that reminds us of a common struggle in life: wanting something good but going about it the wrong way.
Jacob desired a good thing—God’s blessing. This blessing, promised to his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac, was something every believer should desire. But instead of trusting God to fulfill His plan, Jacob and his mother, Rebekah, schemed to secure it through deception.
When Jacob disguised himself as Esau, he lied to his father Isaac, saying, “I am Esau thy firstborn” (Genesis 27:19).
He even invoked God’s name to justify his quick return, claiming, “Because the LORD thy God brought it to me” (Genesis 27:20). His actions show how easy it is to justify wrong methods when we’re focused on achieving something we desire.
But God doesn’t bless sin, even when the goal is noble. Jacob’s deceit led to years of family division, hatred from his brother Esau, and a life filled with uncertainty and drama.
This isn’t the only time in the Bible we see someone trying to achieve a good goal the wrong way.
• David and the Ark: David wanted to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem—a good desire. But instead of following God’s instructions on how the Ark should be transported, David used a new cart, and the result was tragic. Uzzah, one of the men guiding the cart, touched the Ark to steady it and was struck dead (2 Samuel 6:3-7). David’s failure to do things God’s way delayed the blessing he sought.
• Peter’s Impulse: When Jesus was arrested, Peter wanted to defend Him. But instead of trusting Jesus’ plan, Peter impulsively drew his sword and cut off the servant’s ear. Jesus rebuked Peter, saying, “Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword” (Matthew 26:52). Peter’s good intention was misplaced because it didn’t align with God’s will.
How This Applies to Us
We can often find ourselves in similar situations. We want the right thing, but we go about it the wrong way.
• Desiring a Family: Many people desire a family, which is a good and godly goal. But pursuing that desire outside of marriage, whether through inappropriate means, goes against God’s design for relationships.
• Seeking Success: It’s good to work hard and provide for your family. But if your pursuit of success leads you to skip church or neglect your relationship with God, you’ve put your priorities out of order.
• Raising Godly Children: Every Christian parent wants to raise their children for the Lord. But sometimes, in an effort to spend time with family, parents forsake church or other spiritual disciplines, not realizing they’re teaching their children that God can take second place.
The Right Way
James 4:17 says, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” This verse reminds us that doing the right thing involves both the right desires and the right actions.
If Jacob and Rebekah had trusted God’s plan, the blessing would have come without their deceit. If David had transported the Ark as God commanded, Uzzah’s life would not have been lost. If Peter had waited on the Lord, he would have seen that Jesus’ arrest was part of God’s divine plan for salvation.
The key is to align our desires with God’s will and to pursue those desires in His way. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Let’s learn from these examples. Desiring the right thing is good, but we must trust God’s timing, follow His Word, and honor Him in the way we pursue those desires. God blesses faith and obedience, not schemes and shortcuts. Trust Him, and He’ll lead you to the right blessings in the right way.
