Genesis 27:1-40
Q.1. How did Rebekah know that Isaac was about to bestow his patriarchal blessing? Was there any excuse for her scheme to gain the blessing for Jacob? How did she overcome Jacob’s objections? – (Gen.27:1-17 c.f. Gen.25:21-23)
Tents didn’t allow for much privacy. Rebekah overheard that Isaac planned to extend his patriarchal blessing to his firstborn, Esau that evening (Gen.27:4-5). There can be no excuse for her plan to deceive Isaac. However, it is hard to believe that she would not have shared with Isaac about God’s prophecy that she would have twins, and that the older would serve the younger (Gen.25:21-23). Notwithstanding Esau’s marriages to Hittite women, Isaac was determined to give his wayward son the blessing reserved for the firstborn. Rebekah had thought through a plan to steal the blessing that she believed was reserved for Jacob. She urged Jacob to select a prime young goat, and she would cook it the way Isaac liked (Gen.27:8-10). Jacob’s objection was not that it was wrong in God’s sight, but that his father might detect the deceit. – Perhaps my father will feel me, then I will be as a deceiver in his sight, and I will bring upon myself a curse and not a blessing (Gen.27:12). However, Rebekah insisted – your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me (Gen.27:13).
Q.2. What lies and deception did Jacob use to deceive his father? How extensive was the stolen blessing? How did the prophecy reflect God’s choice? (Gen.27:18-29 c.f. Rom.9:8-13)
For a start – … Isaac was old, and his eyes were too dim to see … (Gen.27:1). Jacob claimed to be Esau, Isaac’s firstborn (Gen.27:19). He lied about hunting for game and the speedy success, which he attributed to God (Gen.27:20). Isaac was uneasy, because Esau had a deep voice, so he asked for the touch test which Jacob passed (Gen.27:21-23). Isaac was still uncertain and asked again – …”Are you really my son Esau?” And he said, “I am.” (Gen.27:24). Finally, after eating the meat and drinking wine … and – … when Isaac smelled the smell of Jacob’s garments, he blessed him … (Gen.27:27). The blessing from Isaac was comprehensive and gave Jacob primacy over Esau and the nations – May peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you; Be master of your brothers and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be those who curse you and blessed be those who bless you (Gen.27:29). Paul, in speaking about election, used Esau as an illustration of God’s sovereign choice – 8 … it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants … 10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, 12 it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” (Rom.9:8, 10-13). As we often observe, God works out His purpose regardless of man’s scheming and sinfulness.
Q.3. What was Isaac’s response to Esau? Did Isaac accept that the blessing on Jacob would stand? How did Esau react? What blessing was reserved for Esau? – (Gen.27:30-40)
We learn how prophetic the birthright blessings were in those days. Isaac had ‘done due diligence’, so was understandably devastated to realize that he had been deceived (Gen.27:30-33). However, it is interesting that he immediately accepted that somehow God had intervened, and his blessing was to be regarded as true prophecy – …Yes, and he shall be blessed … Isaac replied to Esau, “Behold, I have made him your master, and all his relatives I have given to him as servants; and with grain and new wine I have sustained him. Now as for you then, what can I do, my son? (Gen.27:33 & 37). Isaac reiterated what God had promised Abraham about the nation’s blessing (Gen.12:3). The meeting between Isaac and Esau was very sad, but the blessing of the firstborn had gone to Jacob. It is interesting that Esau (and probably Isaac as well) was well aware that he had despised his birthright –… Is he not rightly named Jacob, for he has supplanted me these two times? He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing … (Gen.27:36). In the crisis, Esau’s conscience reminded him about the passion with which Jacob had pursued the blessing of the firstborn, compared with his own indifference to the blessing of God. As dishonest as the deception by Jacob was, the rest of Scripture confirms that the prophecies and the blessing of Jacob and Esau were appropriate, and as God had planned. Up to this point, Esau had been careless and ungodly. Jacob had passionately wanted the blessing of God and had gained it (c.f. Rom.9:6-13; Heb.12:15-17).