Narrative Lies in Genesis#2: The Scheme
It is important to emphasize that one of the characteristics of the lies in the Genesis account is that they are not spontaneous but are deliberate, planned acts of deception designed to accomplish a self-centered purpose. They are also distinctive in that they involve more than one person. In addition, most often, the initiator is not the one required to lie. For example, Rebekah heard Isaac speak to Esau which tells us how Rebekah, the master planner, learned the truth. She needs an accomplice who is privy to the plan. This illustrates that lies always have intent. To mistake a word, a day or hour can easily be done without any intention to lie. Once another person is added to the plot, the conspiracy takes shape (27:6).
The conversation follows in verses 6-7 where Rebekah explains what she heard regarding the request of Isaac to have Esau bring him some venison that he may eat and bless Esau before his death. The planner has to persuade Jacob to join her. Time is of essence and Rebekah reveals a real danger just as does Abraham’s plot to tell Abimilech that Sarah is his sister (12:11-13) and Lot’s elder daughter explains to her younger sister why they must have sex with their father (19:31). Joseph, who was a victim of his brother’s conspiracy, enters one with them after the family moves Egypt. He instructs them to lie to Pharoah about their livelihood (46:34).
Once the danger has been communicated, a method is given to alter the outcome. The plan must demonstrte how it will work to their benefit. In this way, the lie is legitimized or made to be acceptable. In the case of chapter 27, Rebecca explains to Jacob their purpose, i.e., “that he may bless thee before his death” (27:10). In the same, Abraham explains, “that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee” (12:13).
Rebecca is very detailed and leaves nothing to chance. She says, “Now, therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee. Go now to the flock and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savory meat for thy father, such as he loveth”(8-9). Similarly, Joseph’s brothers go a step further to conspire to lie to their father in order to cover up their murder (37:20). Strangely, the design to kill him was not fulfilled while the secondary design to lie to Jacob, their father, was fulfilled when coat was soaked in the blood of a goat.
Except for Judah, who saw an opportunity to sell him, no one in the other stories who were invited to join the scheme cried about participating in it. But, young Jacob in Genesis 27 was very reluctant for fear of getting caught and being cursed (27:11-12).
Rebecca first addresses his fear of being cursed by saying, Üpon me be thy curse, my son.” Then, she addresses the practical problem of being identified because of his smooth skin by covering it with goat’s wool. But, before the lie can be told, the planner has to get the accomplice to do one more thing and in Rebecca’s case, it was more insistent. She said, “Only obey my voice, and go fetch me the goatskins (27:13). Lot’s daughter says, “Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him “(19:32). With Joseph’s brothers, Judah’s advice was designed to avoid murder, but not lying to their father. He said, “Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites.’ (37:27).