Genesis 27:41-28:9
Q.1. What stopped Esau from killing Jacob? How did Rebekah plan to save Jacob? How did Rebekah prepare Isaac for Jacob’s departure? What impact would this have on her? – (Gen.27:41-46)
The only thing that saved Jacob from the murderous intent of his brother, was that Esau expected Isaac to die soon (Gen.27:41). Esau was well over 40 years of age and made no secret of his rage (Gen.27:42 c.f. Gen.26:34). When Rebekah found out that Esau planned to kill Jacob, she urged Jacob to flee to her brother at Haran, until Esau’s anger subsided (Gen.27:42-45). Rebekah began to pressure Isaac into sending Jacob away. She told him – … I am tired of living because of the daughters of Heth; if Jacob takes a wife from the daughters of Heth, like these, from the daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?” (Gen.27:46). Sending her beloved Jacob away would have been a significant sacrifice for her (Gen.25:28).
Q.2. Was Isaac bitter against Jacob? What was his charge to his son? How did he confirm the Covenant blessing to Jacob? – (Gen.28:1-5)
We are not privy to all the conversation between Isaac and Rebekah, but doubtless she would have explained her actions as being consistent with the Lord’s prophecy about Jacob and Esau (c.f. Gen.25:22-23). Regardless, Isaac commanded Jacob – … You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan (Gen.28:1). He then confirmed his blessing and prayed – 3 May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples. 4 May He also give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your descendants with you, that you may possess the land of your sojourning, which God gave to Abraham (Gen.28:3-4). Isaac was clear that the blessing belonged to Jacob.
Q.3. How did Esau confirm the kind of man whom he was? How did he further dishonour his father? What does the life of Esau teach us about God’s foreknowledge and choice? – (Gen.28:6-9 c.f. Rom.8:29)
Esau proved to be a contrary man. He not only despised his birthright for instant gratification, but he also dishonoured his father. Jacob showed his respect for his parents by refusing to marry women from Canaan. He – … obeyed his father and his mother and had gone to Paddan-aram (Gen.28:7). Esau further defied his father – 8 So Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan displeased his father, Isaac; 9 and Esau went to Ishmael, and married, besides the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth (Gen.28:8-9). God knew that Esau would be – an immoral and godless person. In His foreknowledge, He rejected Esau and all that he stood for – For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren (Rom.8:29 c.f. Rom.9:13; Heb.12:15-17).