Genesis 27: The Stolen Blessing
And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.
And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:
Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;
And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.
And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.
And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,
Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the Lord before my death.
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 savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:
And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.
And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:
My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.
And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.
And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved.
And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:
And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:
And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.
And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son?
And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.
And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the Lord thy God brought it to me.
And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.
And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.
And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau’s hands: so he blessed him.
And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.
And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank.
And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed:
Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.
And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son’s venison, that thy soul may bless me.
And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau.
And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.
And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.
And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.
And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?
And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?
And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.
And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;
And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.
And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee.
Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;
And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother’s fury turn away;
Until thy brother’s anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?
And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?
Genesis 27 tells a complex and troubling story of deception, favoritism, and the far-reaching consequences of human interference in God's plans. This chapter, set near the end of Isaac’s life, reveals a family fractured by preference and driven by ambition, ultimately leading to a stolen blessing and lasting repercussions. Understanding the context and nuances of this chapter provides valuable insight into the character of God and the human condition.
A Father's Intention (Genesis 27:1-4)
The chapter opens with Isaac, now old and nearly blind, preparing to bestow the family blessing. He calls for Esau, his favored son, and instructs him to hunt and prepare a savory meal. After the meal, Isaac intends to bless Esau, passing on the spiritual inheritance and the umbrella of God’s operation in the family line. This blessing represented God's favor and provision for the future. Isaac's preference for Esau, likely due to Esau's skill as a hunter and provider, sets the stage for the drama that unfolds.
Rebekah's Intervention (Genesis 27:5-17)
Rebekah, who favored Jacob (Genesis 25:28), overhears Isaac's instructions to Esau. Driven by her preference and perhaps remembering the prophecy that the older would serve the younger (Genesis 25:23), she orchestrates a plan to ensure Jacob receives the blessing. Like Sarah and Abraham's attempt to hasten God's promise of an heir through Hagar, Rebekah's attempt to manipulate God's plan will have painful consequences.
Rebekah instructs Jacob to deceive his father. She prepares a meal similar to what Isaac requested of Esau and then disguises Jacob with Esau's clothes and goat skins to mimic his brother's smell and hairy skin. Jacob is hesitant, fearing he will be discovered and cursed, but Rebekah assures him that she will bear any curse. This elaborate act of deception highlights the lengths to which Rebekah is willing to go to achieve her desired outcome.
The Deception Unfolds (Genesis 27:18-29)
Jacob, cloaked in deceit, approaches his blind father. Isaac is immediately suspicious, noting the speed of Esau's return and the similarity of Jacob's voice. Jacob boldly lies, claiming to be Esau. Isaac, despite his reservations, is ultimately convinced by the disguised touch and smell, and proceeds to bestow the blessing.
The blessing Isaac pronounces is rich with promises of prosperity, dominion, and divine favor. He blesses Jacob with abundance, authority over his brothers and nations, and the promise that those who bless him will be blessed, and those who curse him will be cursed. This blessing, carrying the weight of God's covenant with Abraham, is a powerful declaration of future destiny.
Esau's Arrival and Lament (Genesis 27:30-40)
Moments after Jacob departs, Esau returns from his hunt, eager to receive his blessing. Isaac, realizing the deception, is shaken. Esau, devastated, cries out in anguish, a loud and bitter cry (Genesis 27:34) realizing his inheritance has been stolen. He pleads with his father for a blessing, any blessing.
Esau's desperation echoes the cry of many today who long for a father's blessing, a word of affirmation and hope spoken into their lives. Isaac, unable to revoke the blessing given to Jacob, offers Esau a lesser blessing, one characterized by hardship and struggle. Esau would live away from the richness of the land and by the sword, eventually breaking free from his brother's rule.
The Seeds of Hatred (Genesis 27:41-46)
Consumed by bitterness and resentment, Esau harbors murderous intentions towards Jacob, vowing to kill him after Isaac's death. Rebekah, overhearing Esau's plan, intervenes once again, urging Jacob to flee to her brother Laban in Haran. This separation, intended to protect Jacob, also marks the beginning of a long period of exile and hardship for him. As a positive side effect of this plan, she reasoned, Jacob would also be more inclined to marry someone within their clan—rather than the Hethite girls that had been making Rebekah’s life so miserable (27:46).
Tragically, it seems Rebekah never saw Jacob again, paying a high price for her manipulative actions.
Lessons and Reflections on Genesis 27
Genesis 27 is a stark reminder of the dangers of favoritism, deception, and manipulating circumstances to achieve our own desires. It reveals the deep-seated consequences of sin and the ripple effects that can impact generations.
- The Importance of Integrity: Jacob's deception, though seemingly successful in the short term, ultimately leads to years of hardship and estrangement from his family. This highlights the importance of honesty and integrity in our relationships and in our pursuit of God's will.
- God's Sovereignty: Despite the flawed actions of Isaac, Rebekah, and Jacob, God's purposes ultimately prevail. He uses even their mistakes to fulfill His promises and shape the destiny of Israel.
- The Power of Blessing: The story emphasizes the significance of blessing and the spiritual inheritance passed down through generations. It reminds us of the power of our words and the importance of speaking blessings into the lives of others. The transfer of blessing always included meaningful touch, which is why Isaac implored Jacob to come closer and kiss [him] (27:26). Touch symbolized identification and intimacy.
- The Need for God's Blessing: Far too many of us are working hard to make something of our lives without the blessing that can only come raining down from heaven. We don’t need to work harder; we need to put ourselves in a position to receive God’s blessing.
Genesis 27 is not just a historical account; it is a mirror reflecting the complexities of human nature and the enduring power of God's grace. It challenges us to examine our own hearts, to seek God's will with sincerity, and to trust in His sovereign plan, even when we cannot see the full picture.
And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.
And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:
Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;
And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.
And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.
And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,
Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the Lord before my death.
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 savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:
And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.
And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:
My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.
And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.
And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved.
And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:
And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:
And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.
And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son?
And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.
And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the Lord thy God brought it to me.
And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.
And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.
And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau’s hands: so he blessed him.
And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.
And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank.
And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed:
Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.
And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son’s venison, that thy soul may bless me.
And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau.
And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.
And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.
And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.
And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?
And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?
And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.
And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;
And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.
And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee.
Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;
And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother’s fury turn away;
Until thy brother’s anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?
And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?
Genesis 27 tells a complex and troubling story of deception, favoritism, and the far-reaching consequences of human interference in God's plans. This chapter, set near the end of Isaac’s life, reveals a family fractured by preference and driven by ambition, ultimately leading to a stolen blessing and lasting repercussions. Understanding the context and nuances of this chapter provides valuable insight into the character of God and the human condition.
A Father's Intention (Genesis 27:1-4)
The chapter opens with Isaac, now old and nearly blind, preparing to bestow the family blessing. He calls for Esau, his favored son, and instructs him to hunt and prepare a savory meal. After the meal, Isaac intends to bless Esau, passing on the spiritual inheritance and the umbrella of God’s operation in the family line. This blessing represented God's favor and provision for the future. Isaac's preference for Esau, likely due to Esau's skill as a hunter and provider, sets the stage for the drama that unfolds.
Rebekah's Intervention (Genesis 27:5-17)
Rebekah, who favored Jacob (Genesis 25:28), overhears Isaac's instructions to Esau. Driven by her preference and perhaps remembering the prophecy that the older would serve the younger (Genesis 25:23), she orchestrates a plan to ensure Jacob receives the blessing. Like Sarah and Abraham's attempt to hasten God's promise of an heir through Hagar, Rebekah's attempt to manipulate God's plan will have painful consequences.
Rebekah instructs Jacob to deceive his father. She prepares a meal similar to what Isaac requested of Esau and then disguises Jacob with Esau's clothes and goat skins to mimic his brother's smell and hairy skin. Jacob is hesitant, fearing he will be discovered and cursed, but Rebekah assures him that she will bear any curse. This elaborate act of deception highlights the lengths to which Rebekah is willing to go to achieve her desired outcome.
The Deception Unfolds (Genesis 27:18-29)
Jacob, cloaked in deceit, approaches his blind father. Isaac is immediately suspicious, noting the speed of Esau's return and the similarity of Jacob's voice. Jacob boldly lies, claiming to be Esau. Isaac, despite his reservations, is ultimately convinced by the disguised touch and smell, and proceeds to bestow the blessing.
The blessing Isaac pronounces is rich with promises of prosperity, dominion, and divine favor. He blesses Jacob with abundance, authority over his brothers and nations, and the promise that those who bless him will be blessed, and those who curse him will be cursed. This blessing, carrying the weight of God's covenant with Abraham, is a powerful declaration of future destiny.
Esau's Arrival and Lament (Genesis 27:30-40)
Moments after Jacob departs, Esau returns from his hunt, eager to receive his blessing. Isaac, realizing the deception, is shaken. Esau, devastated, cries out in anguish, a loud and bitter cry (Genesis 27:34) realizing his inheritance has been stolen. He pleads with his father for a blessing, any blessing.
Esau's desperation echoes the cry of many today who long for a father's blessing, a word of affirmation and hope spoken into their lives. Isaac, unable to revoke the blessing given to Jacob, offers Esau a lesser blessing, one characterized by hardship and struggle. Esau would live away from the richness of the land and by the sword, eventually breaking free from his brother's rule.
The Seeds of Hatred (Genesis 27:41-46)
Consumed by bitterness and resentment, Esau harbors murderous intentions towards Jacob, vowing to kill him after Isaac's death. Rebekah, overhearing Esau's plan, intervenes once again, urging Jacob to flee to her brother Laban in Haran. This separation, intended to protect Jacob, also marks the beginning of a long period of exile and hardship for him. As a positive side effect of this plan, she reasoned, Jacob would also be more inclined to marry someone within their clan—rather than the Hethite girls that had been making Rebekah’s life so miserable (27:46).
Tragically, it seems Rebekah never saw Jacob again, paying a high price for her manipulative actions.
Lessons and Reflections on Genesis 27
Genesis 27 is a stark reminder of the dangers of favoritism, deception, and manipulating circumstances to achieve our own desires. It reveals the deep-seated consequences of sin and the ripple effects that can impact generations.
- The Importance of Integrity: Jacob's deception, though seemingly successful in the short term, ultimately leads to years of hardship and estrangement from his family. This highlights the importance of honesty and integrity in our relationships and in our pursuit of God's will.
- God's Sovereignty: Despite the flawed actions of Isaac, Rebekah, and Jacob, God's purposes ultimately prevail. He uses even their mistakes to fulfill His promises and shape the destiny of Israel.
- The Power of Blessing: The story emphasizes the significance of blessing and the spiritual inheritance passed down through generations. It reminds us of the power of our words and the importance of speaking blessings into the lives of others. The transfer of blessing always included meaningful touch, which is why Isaac implored Jacob to come closer and kiss [him] (27:26). Touch symbolized identification and intimacy.
- The Need for God's Blessing: Far too many of us are working hard to make something of our lives without the blessing that can only come raining down from heaven. We don’t need to work harder; we need to put ourselves in a position to receive God’s blessing.
Genesis 27 is not just a historical account; it is a mirror reflecting the complexities of human nature and the enduring power of God's grace. It challenges us to examine our own hearts, to seek God's will with sincerity, and to trust in His sovereign plan, even when we cannot see the full picture.