Genesis 27-28: Honesty in the Home

Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

It is difficult to resolve problems in a home if spouses are not honest with each other.  In Genesis 27-28, Rebekah used her favorite son Jacob to decieve her husband into blessing Jacob instead of Esau.  Jacob didn't want anything to do with her plan, but she commanded her son to obey her in deceiving her husband.

Genesis 27:11-13 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man: My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing. And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.

Rebekah was dishonest and taught her son to be dishonest - even to the point of desiring a curse on herself instead of being truthful with her husband and her son.  Jacob was about 70 years old at this time, so we're not dealing with a 6 year old that is learning how to cope with life.  But how true it is that children will learn behavior patterns from their parents.

Rebekah was also abusive.  She blamed Jacob for orchestrating this scheme to deceive Isaac.

Genesis 27:45 Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?

Rebekah commanded Jacob to deceive her husband to steal Esau's blessing.  Esau found out about the deception and plans to kill Jacob.  If there was ever a time for Isaac and Rebekah to have an honest conversation, it was during the events recorded in Gen 27. But they never resolve this mess.  Rebekah never finds room for repentance for her deception and compounds it with another lie.  She tells her husband that she wants Jacob to leave home before he marries one of the heathen Heth girls.  The real reason she wants Jacob to leave is so that he won't be killed by Esau! 

Rebekah was a deceiver and taught her son to lie and cheat instead of dealing with problems in an honest fashion.  Mom, are you honest with your children and your husband?  What are you sowing?

Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.