The Deception of Isaac

Matt, Alastair, and Andrew consider the narrative complexity of the "deception of Isaac."

Taking up a difficult passage of Scripture, Alastair, Andrew, and Matt consider the incident in which Jacob deceives Isaac into giving him the blessing. Multiple respected theologians bring solid principles to bear on the interpretation of this reading and come to very different conclusions. What is to be done? Is lying always and everywhere wrong? Was Jacob justified in his ruse? And in the process Alastair reveals some striking parallels between this story and that of King David.  

Links Mentioned: 

Lexham Press Book of the Month 

Merrie Band 

Genesis 26–27 

Rabbi David Fohrman 

James B. Jordan 

Yoram Hazony 

Lie back and think of Israel [England]  

Genesis 32–33 

Alastair’s YouTube channel 

Alastair’s Patreon 

The April 2024 Book of the Month is Stephen Brett Eccher’s Zwingli the Pastor. Eccher tells the story of Huldrych Zwingli (1484–1531), embattled pastor and reformer. Zwingli’s ministry in Zurich was characterized by conflict—conflict that fueled him. It influenced his theological development, inspired his commitment to bring reform, and compelled his devotion to the congregation he led through the tumult of the Reformation. For the month of April, get 40% off this title with the code MEREFIDELITYAPR24 at lexhampress.com/merefidelity.

Timestamps

0:00
Tempus Fugit
2:12
Misreading the Preposition
3:34
The Setup
7:16
The Dispute
14:43
The Anderson School
23:38
Davidic Parallels
30:09
Urgency in Lying
36:19
“I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.”
38:35
Rogues Gallery or Rogues Mirror?

Follow DerekAndrew, and Alastair for more tweet-sized brilliance. Financially support Mere OrthodoxyAlastair, and/or Derek directly. Thanks to Timothy Crouch for keeping us organized, and to Andrew Noble for managing the social media. Special thanks to Tim Motte for sound editing and show notes. And thanks to The Joy Eternal for lending us their music, which everybody should download out of gratitude for their kindness.

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