September 30, 2018

Masquerade : The Art of Covering
September 30, 2018
Jonathan Falwell

 

Open:

Do you know someone who acts in a certain manner, but their words just do not seem to ring true? Without naming names or gender, what is it about them that you believe indicates they are playing a part which is false?

Today we begin a new series that will cut many of us to the quick: the unveiling of the mask we wear to appear as if we have everything in our life together, even if we’re falling apart on the inside. Over the next few weeks we’ll examine the dangers in this action, hiding the real person in order to keep our imperfections from the eyes of the world. Today we set the stage by looking at the general reasons and risks some feel the need to wear a mask.

Focal Passage: Genesis 27:1-29.

 

 

Discuss:

Putting on our masks starts with deceit

  • Do you recall ever going to a costume party? What was the primary thing you wanted to achieve?
  • Once your costume was on, did you find yourself acting in character with how you were dressed? Explain what you mean.
  • Read Gen. 27:1-10. Why did Rebekah choose to deceive her husband? What other option could she have chosen, which would have been right in God’s sight?

Putting on our masks starts with feelings of inadequacies

  • Read verses 11-12. What was wrong with the protests Jacob laid before his mother? What could he have said if he did not want to sin against God?
  • Read Gen. 25:20-26. What had God told Rebekah? How do you see her actions? What was she teaching Jacob by instructing him to do this deed?
  • If we put on a mask of perfection, which is ultimately a lie, what are some of the feelings we may be trying to cover up? Why is it lying?

Once we put on the mask, it starts a never-ending cycle

  • Read verses 18-24. Although Rebekah began the charade, Jacob was now making his own choices. What five lies did he tell to keep the plan together?
  • What could Jacob have done at any point while before Isaac, to redeem himself in the eyes of his father?
  • Why does one lie lead to more? Who is the “Father of Lies”?

Our masks will all be removed

  • Read Heb. 4:13. No matter how hard we try to cover up our inadequacies , what will happen?
  • Why should we cultivate a lifestyle of truth, without any masks of hypocrisy?
  • Read Matt. 10:26. If you choose to live a lie in order to appear something you are not, who will possibly remove that mask at a time you least expect it—and possibly in a very humbling way?
  • If you have been saved, what is your position before God? What are some of the descriptions of your relationship that should make you feel valuable and
  • valued? (Child of God, etc.) How does this speak against the act of deceit?

 

 

 

Close:

This passage leaves us with the feel of a modern novel: barren wife finally gets pregnant and learns she is going to have twins. God Himself tells Rebekah the “older shall serve the younger,” leaving her with a promise she could/should have trusted. The story progresses as the father prefers one child, the mother prefers the other. At that point you begin to sense a conflict in the home that will cause immense problems. Then comes an evening when Isaac, old and of bad eyesight, wants to give the blessing to the older son Esau, the firstborn who had already rejected his birthright for a meal (cf Heb. 12:15-17)—thereby himself thwarting the words of God to his wife many years before. Rebekah, overhears the conversation between Esau and Isaac, and takes it upon herself to control the situation by deceiving  her husband, to make certain that her favorite son, Jacob, would receive the blessing (already promised by God, Who would have brought it to pass in a holy way). Consequently, she is not only usurping her authority over Isaac, but teaching Jacob that it is permissible to lie. Jacob, consenting to do her will, offered token reservations, to which she had the answers. As Jacob goes in to his father, he himself now takes the responsibility of the choices to deceive, when—five times—God gives him ample occasion to throw himself upon Isaac’s mercy.

How like Jacob we can be! Not wanting to seem less holy, less perfect, or less rich than our neighbors, we put on our mask, remembering to play our part when we are in the position where it matters. We may be looking for admiration, gain, power or anything else the world offers, but it’s tiring to keep that role going all the time. How much better if we could see the truth: that those who know us well realize we are far from perfect, and in their hearts they label us a “hypocrite.” Yet even with our imperfections, we were chosen by God to be His child! If we could get that from our head into our heart, we would be full of awe that would humble us; we would have the mask we wear torn away and would be given beauty for ashes.

Key Verse: Matt. 10:26: Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed and hidden that will not be known.

 

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