Justice in Receiving Answers
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September 13, 2015 |
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 "And prepare a savory dish for me such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, so that my soul may bless you before I die" (Genesis 27:4).
Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee
As shown both in the Old Testament and the New Testament times, God proclaimed His will through His people such as prophets and apostles. His words were sometimes for individuals, and sometimes for countries or nations. No matter what, once proclaimed, His words were all fulfilled. This is because they were proclaimed in the name of God (Isaiah 55:11).
However, God's answers and blessings are not given to just anybody or unconditionally. God can give us blessings only when it is in accordance with justice. Then, to receive His answers and blessings, what should we do according to justice? Let's find the answer in a biblical account recorded in the book of Genesis.
1. You have to believe without any doubt the power in the words of blessing that are once proclaimed.
In Genesis chapter 27, we see that Jacob cheated his father, Isaac, to receive blessings. At that time, Isaac was too old to see clearly and recognize people's faces.
Isaac asked his beloved son Esau to go hunting and bring him a savory dish. It was to give full blessing to Esau, the first son before he died. But Isaac's wife, Rebecca loved Jacob more and she wanted the blessing to be given to Jacob. She had Jacob bring a goat from the flock and she cooked a savory dish and gave it to Jacob so he could take it to his father, Isaac. She made Jacob appear to be Esau, who was a hairy man. Eventually, Isaac mistook Jacob for Esau and blessed Jacob (Genesis 27:27-29).
After Jacob received all the blessings, Esau came to Isaac with a savory dish. Only then did Isaac realize he had blessed Jacob and trembled violently. It's because he knew very well that he couldn't annul or cancel the blessing he proclaimed in the name of the LORD God.
Esau cried out with an exceedingly bitter cry, but Isaac couldn't do anything. So, it is said in Genesis 27:37, "But Isaac replied to Esau, 'Behold, I have made him your master, and all his relatives I have given to him as servants; and with grain and new wine I have sustained him. Now as for you then, what can I do, my son?'" After all, the blessing for the firstborn was given to Jacob. Jacob became a wealthy man, and his people Israel became a people that was set above all peoples.
Now you might have a question here. How could Jacob receive the blessing even though he cheated Isaac? Jacob believed the power in the prayer of blessing and received it with a longing heart. After that, by going through many trials he made his vessel capable of receiving the blessing.
On the contrary, Esau's heart was different from Jacob's. He sold his birthright for a bowl of lentil stew. Also, he took Gentile women as his wives. He did not show any longing of heart or acts of faith.
Although the method was not perfect, Jacob deserved to receive the blessing of the firstborn. Of course until he did, there were trials. He suffered a lot while working as a laborer for his uncle. Later when he returned to his hometown, he had to deal with the dire moment of his brother Esau trying to kill him. In every step he took, Jacob showed faith. He overcame a man of God after wrestling against him all night long, and received the new name, 'Israel'.
The blessing prayed for by a man of God never disappears without accomplishing anything. Of course, the man who is blessing in prayer must be a man who is guaranteed by God. Deuteronomy 18:22 says, "When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him." But if the things spoken come about or come true, then it means that the prophet actually delivered the Word of God.
We should believe God's Word will be fulfilled and the prayer of blessings will be answered, until the end without changing. This is the rule of justice we must remember to receive answers.
2. You have to offer the 'savory dish' that pleases God.
A 'savory' dish is food that has a very special taste. In order to receive answers and blessings, and especially to receive them quickly, you have to offer a 'savory' dish to God. The blessings come immediately for some people while they come upon others more slowly. This difference comes from whether they offered a savory dish to God or not.
Genesis 27:4 says, "And prepare a savory dish for me such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, so that my soul may bless you before I die." Isaac loved the food cooked with the game Esau hunted. So, for this reason he loved Esau more than Jacob. Because Isaac loved Esau, he wanted to bless Esau. But Isaac knew that the prayer of blessing wouldn't just come upon him unconditionally. Namely, he knew there had to be a 'deed of sowing' with faith that the blessing would actually come. For this reason he had Esau bring a savory dish that would please his mind.
The same applies when you ask God to give something to you. There must be a deed of sowing. It's because the faith is revealed before God through the deed of sowing. James 2:22 says, "You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected." You should prove that you have the faith to receive blessings.
In Philippians 4:18-19, Paul blessed the church in Philippi when they made offerings for his ministry. It says, "…I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
The blessings will come upon you when you offer a fragrant aroma, and acceptable sacrifice, that is well-pleasing to God. Therefore, when you come to receive prayer, you have to prepare a savory dish that can please God. Namely, you have to move the heart of God with your love and devotion. Furthermore, 'to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all things' is also a 'savory dish'.
For example, when I tried to keep the commandments of God, I tried to keep them with all my life. Also, when I wanted to be faithful, I tried to be faithful until death as in Revelation 2:10. When I worked for the souls, I tried to work until it overflowed like in the case of Paul. Then, God surely paid me back with great answers and blessings.
Therefore, you should understand what kinds of savory dishes God wants from you. It is not something very difficult. When you pray and attend worship services and do it with all your heart; when you give all you have with dedication, including time, money, or your talents and give it with thanksgiving for the grace received; and when you focus on evangelism, taking care of the souls and reviving the souls, all these things can be savory dishes.
As Ephesians 5:10 says, "...trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord," I urge you to diligently look for something you can do. In doing so, I hope you will receive answers and blessings from God.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, if you really want to be renewed and to be healed and blessed, then give God a savory dish which is your deed of faith acceptable to God. In doing so, I hope you will bear beautiful fruits in spirit and body. I pray in the name of the Lord that God will receive glory greatly through you who are receiving blessings.
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