Have you ever read a book or seen a movie where the plot was so crazy you thought that it could never happen in real life? Today’s text will touch on a story like that. It centers around the favoritism present in Isaac’s family (Gen 25:27-28) and the sibling rivalry that it caused. If you recall, Isaac and Rebekah each had different ‘favorites’ among their sons. Isaac preferred Esau and Rebekah favored Jacob.
This story starts out, in verses 1-2, telling us that when Isaac was so old that his vision was failing, he called for his son, Esau, and Esau came. Now, we all have worsening eyesight as we age, especially when cataracts appear, but back then, there wasn’t optometry. Isaac struggled with his vision since there weren’t any kind of corrective measures available. Isaac must have thought he had reached the point of dying, which brought about what was about to happen, even though we know that he lived many more years (Gen 35:28).
Verses 3-4 tell us the instructions that Isaac gave to Esau. Isaac wanted his favorite meal, and he sends Esau for it. This was to be a special meal for a special occasion. Isaac, because he was old and thought he might be dying, wanted to give Esau his blessing. This was the custom back then, when one was nearing the end of their life, and it was usually done at a family meal. As the oldest son, I’m sure Esau was excited about what was about to occur, and he went rapidly to do as his father asked.
Read verses 5-10. We can see that Rebekah had been eavesdropping. She knows what Isaac is about to do, but she favored the other son, Jacob. And remember, God had given her a prophecy about which son would be a nation stronger than the other (Gen 25:23). I’m sure she remembered this prophecy and now she has a plan to help God bring it about. What was her plan? This is totally her idea. She wants Jacob to get the blessing instead of Esau.
Verses 11-13 tell us that Jacob raised a concern that he was not hairy like his brother and this would lead to his getting caught. He was not concerned about the sin, but rather that his father would catch him at it and curse him. Rebekah’s reply? Let the curse fall on me. She was saying to Jacob, “Trust me. I’ll take the blame.” Rebekah was willing to take the consequences with Isaac, but both Rebekah and Jacob would be answerable to God for this. God expects us each to take responsibility ourselves for any sin we engage in and no one can shelter us from responsibility before God by saying, “I did what I was told.”
Read verses 14-17. We see here that both Jacob and Rebekah took part in this ruse. They were definitely in this together. In verses 18-19, we see that Jacob, armed with a fake wild game meal and covered in goatskins, goes to his father. Isaac immediately asks who is before him. Would Isaac fall for it? Verse 20 tells us of Isaac’s first suspicion and how Jacob answered it. Lying seems to come easily here.
Verses 22-24 tell us of Isaac’s second suspicion. He knows the voices of his sons, but when he touches Jacob, he finds him hairy like Esau. Isaac is still unsure. So, in verses 25-27, he calls Jacob near to him. This is with the intention of smelling him. Have you ever smelled an outdoorsman? An outdoorsman like Esau would have smelled quite differently from a homebody like Jacob. Isaac is finally convinced and decides to give Jacob the blessing.
Verses 28-29 tell us the blessing that Isaac gave Jacob. Isaac asks that God will make his son’s life prosperous. But what else does he ask here of God? Isaac also asks that his son would rule over other nations and that this son would rule over his brethren. Isaac thinks that he is asking this for his son Esau even though he is giving the blessing to Jacob. Didn’t Isaac know about the prophecy that God had given to Rebekah about the two sons? Of course he did. And now, he is trying to move that blessing over to Esau.
Let’s think about this for a second. We remember that Jacob manipulated Esau out of his birthright which Esau was more than happy to trade away foolishly (Gen 25:29-34). Now, Esau is coming to his father expecting to receive the blessing despite what he has already done. Isaac surely knows of the prophecy concerning the boys (Gen 25:23) and is trying to transfer this prediction to the other son. Rebekah and Jacob are trying to trick Isaac into giving the blessing of the firstborn over to Jacob. What a family! What a circus this has turned into!
Fortunately, we know that God is always in control. Everyone in this family is trying to maneuver, but God is still in control. Isaac has given the blessing to Jacob, the one whom God had predicted in the prophecy (Rom 11:29). No matter how much scheming and manipulating people do, God can always make things come out the way He desires, even if craziness and sin are rampant (Rom 8:28).
Verses 30-38 tell us what happened when Esau returned. We see that he just barely misses Jacob. Can you imagine what he would have thought had he seen his brother covered in goat skins? In verses 32-33, Isaac and Esau realize that they have been scammed. Esau wants his blessing back but Isaac has already given it to Jacob. Back then, blessings like these were big events and a man’s word was not given lightly. This was not something which could be taken back. The Bible tells us that Isaac was visibly shaken when he realized what had happened. Esau begs his father to bless him also.
Verses 39-40 tell us of the blessing that Isaac then gives to Esau. Examine it closely and compare it to the first blessing given to Jacob. Is it closer in line with the prediction God had made in the prophecy He gave to Rebekah? God has a way of bringing all things into line. We cannot maneuver our way around God’s plans (Heb 12:16-17). God is truly in control (Heb 11:20, Rom 9:9-13).
Each of the parents in this story, Isaac and Rebekah, should have asked themselves, “What is my motive? Am I giving my child Godly advice? Is this plan in agreement with God’s will?” As parents, I believe we will answer to God for the guidance we give to our children.
You may be wondering… Did God reward Jacob and Rebekah’s scheming? Not at all! This was the plan from the beginning, as was told in the prophecy. And it is clear that Jacob is not even close to being the man God needs him to be. We will see in our next lesson the consequences Jacob and Rebekah must face due to their sin and the beginnings of how God worked in Jacob’s life to bring about spiritual maturity.
Responding to God: Praise God and thank Him that He is always in control. Ask Him to make you aware of any times you may have tried to maneuver your way into what you wanted rather than to trust God. Pray for the wisdom to avoid deceitful practices and ask forgiveness for any that He may bring to your awareness. Pray for healthy relationships within your family. Seek His guidance in your life to be the Christian that He needs you to be. Ask His wisdom to always give your children Godly counsel.
Further Research: Read some examples in the Bible concerning the nation descended from Esau (Edom) and the nation descended from Jacob (Israel):
- 2 Kings 8:20-22
- Obadiah 8-10
- 2 Sam 8:14
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