Isaac’s dysfunctional family (Gen. 25:28) would ultimately be blessed more than any other. However prior to Rebecca’s delivery of twins, God had told Rebekah that the youngest, Jacob would rule over the oldest, Esau. This prophesy given by God along with the favoritism shown by Isaac & Rebekah for their children laid the groundwork for the events described in Gen. 27.
1. Isaac’s presumption
-He made an assumption because his senses were failing and he was about to die at age 137. As a result, he rushed ahead of God to offer his firstborn son (and favorite) Esau his blessing. He actually lived to be 180 (Gen. 35:28).
V1-4 “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.”
2. Rebekah’s deception
-Because of God’s promise (and her favoritism toward Jacob) she felt that she needed to help God fulfill his prophesy.
V8-10 “Now therefore, my son (Jacob), 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.”
3. Jacob’s submission
-Jacob did not have to obey his mother. He offered an objection, but ultimately yielded to his mother’s deception.
V12-14 “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.”
4. Esau’s determination
-Esau determined that he would have his revenge upon Jacob for stealing his Birthright (which he did not) and now his blessing.
V41 “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.”
LESSON - Even with God’s prophesy to claim, each individual within this family operated on their own agendas rather than to obey the Lord and trust in Him to accomplish His will. This story shows the results of rushing ahead of God, lying, disobedience, and revenge. God’s plan was still accomplished, but these sins were not necessary for it to happen. As a result, this family was never the same again. We must learn that the end doesn’t justify the means if sin is involved.
~Mike