Cheated

by Pastor Tim Klein

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Esau said, ‘Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing’ (Genesis 27:36).

Read Genesis 27:30-45

I have always struggled to get my head and heart around this story. Why does God allow it? Even Isaac was suspicious that perhaps things weren’t quite right. ‘You sound like Jacob, but you tell me that you are Esau.’

It just seems wrong – unfair, ungodly, sneaky. But – amazingly – it turns out that God had a plan after all. Jacob became part of the lineage of Jesus. Perhaps this is God doing what it says in Romans 8:28: ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.’

There are many things in this world that seem unfair. How many times have you felt cheated? How often have you wondered, ‘What is God doing here’?

And it is even worse when you believe you have been doing good – living a good life – and others who may not have been so ‘good’ end up with blessings that ‘should have been yours’. It’s just not right.

In my life, I can look back, and maybe you on yours, and see those sorts of things that have happened. There have been times when I have felt some of what Esau felt (perhaps not so bad), feeling quite justified in my anger. Where to go? What to do?

I have learned finally (and I’m still learning this): Take it to the Lord. Leave it in his hands. Ask him to open my eyes and heart to see and recognise the blessings that are already mine. Trust that the Lord will nevertheless work for good in my life as I continue on in faith.

Dear Heavenly Father, you know well what goes on in our hearts and minds, especially when we feel we’ve been poorly treated, cheated, or even robbed of something we considered our own. Prompt us then to turn to you. Open our hearts and minds to see and recognise the blessings we already have – gifts from you. Then bless us with peace as we travel ahead, being your gracious presence in the world. Amen.

Tim has served as a pastor for more than 30 years in Australia and New Zealand. He plans to retire on 12 January in 2025. Husband to his wife Joy, father of three and grandfather of more than 10, Tim says he is living in hope. He enjoys gardening (especially his orchard of more than 60 trees, succulents and flowering plants), making music (he loves to sing), beekeeping and taking photos.

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