Your Last Request Before You DieSample

Isaac’s last wish

In Genesis 27, we read that Isaac was in failing health, but he was hardly on his deathbed. He was around 100 years at this stage but he would live for many more years.

Esau had already married two Hittite wives, which was a total lack of concern for covenant faithfulness. In spite of this, Esau being his favorite son, and contrary to God’s prophecy, Isaac undertook to give Esau the blessing. In other words, Isaac knew better than to do what he was about to do.

Isaac had not taken action against Esau for marrying outside the family line and taking multiple wives;

He knew he was going to die but only called one son to him instead of the tradition of all sons. He planned to sneak the blessing to Esau and give Jacob nothing.

This is not a pretty picture of Isaac. This is a premeditated plot on Isaac’s part to overthrow the revealed purpose of God. Sadly, Isaac’s reasons were based totally on the flesh: He had a taste for Esau’s game (25:28; 27:3-4). Here, on what Isaac thought was his deathbed, he can only think of indulging himself once more with his favorite meal prepared by his favorite son. He was gratifying his sensual desires in opposition to God’s plan. It’s indeed a sorry picture.

There is often a sense of haste when people are trying to pull off their own schemes, even if it’s under the guise of doing God’s will. If you’re not trusting God to orchestrate circumstances for you, then you work under the false impression that you’ve got to pull your own strings.

The blessing, along with the birthright, which Esau had already given away, according to the custom of that time made that son the primary carrier of the family’s heritage: economic, social, and religious. He would define the family’s understanding of itself. By his father’s blessing Esau would have become the head of the covenant family. The formal ceremony of granting this blessing would have included a meal.

In Genesis 27:1-4, we find that Isaac comes on the stage with his selfish desire, based on his appetite, to give the blessing to Esau,

We thus find Isaac at around 100 years of age, has given up on life and his dying wish is to have his choicest dish. To think that this was his last wish!!!

When the time came for the blessing, Isaac could not differentiate between goat’s meat and venison. His senses had become dull; his eyesight was dim (symbolizing loss of vision or God’s purposes). It should not be food that determines who should receive God’s blessing.

Isaac wanted his way, not God’s way. But did Isaac get what he wanted? Instead of wild game, he got spiced up goat. Instead of blessing Esau, he put him under a curse, because he ordained that whoever cursed Jacob should be cursed, and Esau planned to kill Jacob. His family was riddled with rivalry and his sons were separated from him. He and his wife were at odds and didn’t trust each other. Isaac sought his own way, didn’t get what he wanted, and paid a high price.

His focus seems to have shifted rather drastically in his later years. Isaac in his later years was more concerned about food than God.

Isaac dies when he is 180 years old but we have no record of his last 80 years.

Never think that you can hoodwink God. Never try to manipulate God.

Quote: I don't so much pray that my death will be without pain, but that it will be without doubt.

- John Piper

Prayer: Lord I pray that I will serve You till my last breath. Amen