When first we practice to deceive - 6 March 2024

“O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive!” Contrary to what I have been led to believe this quote is actually by Walter Scott and not Shakespeare. Turns out I am not the only one who was deceived: people out there still attribute it to Shakespeare. Perhaps, nothing could be a more fitting illustration of the point than that.

Someone well acquainted with deception was the second-born son of Isaac. He was named Jacob which means deceiver. No doubt, he lived up to his name when he deceived his older brother right out of his birthright. He definitely knew a thing or two about skulduggery and trickery. We expound more in the coming days.

I am sure that Jacob could school us in the tangled web that unfolds when first we practise to deceive. As I mentioned, the Bible is a rich repository, a tapestry of stories written that can teach us patterns that we can apply to our lives.

One of these is that actions have consequences. It sometimes seems like people sin – against us and others – yet there are no consequences and they get away scot-free. Psalm 73 is a lament dealing with this exact issue and the writer specifically expressed his frustration in verses 2-3: “But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” In verse 12 he says, “This is what the wicked are like — always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.” Not unlike people today.

However, God does discipline those he loves. There is no way a parent who loves their child will not discipline them in love. And God is the ultimate Dad. Hebrews 12:5-6 puts it this way: “And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

In the end, there is a God who never slumbers, who knows everything and everyone’s heart, and is a just God. All of us need to give an account to him one day. No exceptions and no excuses (Romans 14:12). Perhaps, if we see it in that light, we will have a lot more compassion on those who do not know our Lord or understand his sovereignty.

Prayer: Father, thank you for taking care of every aspect of our lives, not even deceit can get in the way of that. Your sovereign way trumps anything that the devil can throw at us. Amen