Pretense

by Zeke Flores

In Genesis 27, Jacob approaches Isaac, pretending to be Esau, and Isaac says, "The voice is Jacob's, but the hands are Esau's." It’s such a striking line because it captures the tension of a divided identity: one thing on the outside, another on the inside. Jacob is trying to secure God’s blessing through manipulation instead of trust.

We do this more than we realize. We present versions of ourselves we think will be accepted, respected, or rewarded. We hide weaknesses, exaggerate strengths, or shape-shift to fit expectations. But blessing built on pretending never brings peace. It only creates anxiety because you’re always afraid of being found out.

God wasn’t waiting for Jacob to perform; He was waiting for Jacob to be honest. And eventually, Jacob learns that God blesses the real version of him, not the disguised one.

If you’re tempted to hide behind a persona, take a breath. God works with the real you, not the polished version. Authenticity is where transformation starts.

"'Are you really my son Esau?' And Jacob said, 'I am'" (Genesis 27:24).