Manipulation

I am not a fan of this word in the context of using control or influence to cleverly or unscrupulously mislead or direct certain behavior. Others have manipulated me and I find it pretty distasteful. I must confess that I’ve been guilty of manipulating others to get them to do what I want. This is especially handy for parents. I fight hard against manipulating my kids. There are parents who “guilt” their kids into doing things that they want done. Manipulation carries with it deceit and ulterior motive that moves it into the negative category. There is a pretty thick line between motivating someone and manipulating them.

Isaac’s wife Rebekah clearly favored her youngest son Jacob over her oldest Esau. Jacob manipulated Esau earlier to get his birthright. Isaac is now an old man, very blind and feels like it’s his last days so he wants to bless his oldest son. Rebekah overhears the conversation between Isaac and Esau and she gets to work helping Jacob manipulate his dad to steal the blessing. Check this out…

6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, ‘Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, 7 “Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.” 8 Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: 9 go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so that I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. 10 Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies.’ (Genesis 27:6-10 NIV)

Jacob plays along with his mom do manipulate his dad. I think Isaac asked him like three times “are you Esau?” and Jacob lies. Rebekah had left nothing to chance. She dressed Jacob is Esau’s clothes which apparently sealed the deal. Check this out…

27 So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said,

‘Ah, the smell of my son

    is like the smell of a field

    that the Lord has blessed.

28 May God give you heaven’s dew

    and earth’s richness –

    an abundance of grain and new wine.

29 May nations serve you

    and peoples bow down to you.

Be lord over your brothers,

    and may the sons of your mother bow down to you.

May those who curse you be cursed

    and those who bless you be blessed.’ (Genesis 27:27-29 NIV)

I believe manipulation is usually sprinkled with deceit and dishonesty. Motivation is creating urgency from honesty. I’m left with the question of why the Lord allowed some manipulation to happen. I believe He could have stopped it. As the story of Jacob and Esau unfold, it becomes clear that the Lord built Jacob into a strong man of deep faith. Early on it didn’t seem that Jacob had much going for him. Obviously the Lord allowed Rebekah’s and Jacob’s manipulation to work as Jacob ended up with both the birthright and the blessing. I don’t always understand God’s ways, but I’ve learned that they are ALWAYS the best.

Pressing On!

Dwayne