Genesis
chapter 27 appears to be a chapter of trickery and deceit, but
ultimately it is an example of God’s will prevailing. The chapter
begins, “When
Isaac was old and his eyes were weak…he called for Esau, his older
son“.
Isaac believe he is nearing his death and asks Esau to bring him his
favorite wild game, “so
I might give you my blessing before I die”. Isaac
knew God’s told him “the
older will serve the younger”
(Gen 25:23), but in secret, Isaac attempts to resist God’s plan and
Esau agrees to it. Rebekah over hears the plan and she schemes to
outsmart Isaac. While Esau is out hunting, she tells Jacob to bring
two young goats from the flock and they devise a complex plan to
trick Isaac. Jacob wears Esau’s cloths, covers his hands in goatskin
to feel hairy like his older brother, and brings the dish Rebekah
prepared into Isaac. Jacob repeatedly lies to his father, “Jacob
said, I am Esau, your first born“.
Finally Isaac blesses his son Jacob, “May
God give you of heavens dew and the earths richness- an abundance of
grain and new wine. May nations serve you and peoples bow down to
you. Be lord over your brothers and may the sons of your mother bow
down to you. May those who curse you be cursed, and may those who
bless you be blessed“.
He repeats much of God’s promise to Abraham. The line of Messiah
would come through Jacob as God had prophesied before their birth.
When
Esau returns Isaac realizes he has been tricked. Esau cries,
“Haven’t
you reserved any blessing for me?“.
Isaac explains, “I
have made him lord over you“.
Esau then asks, “Do
you have you only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father“.
Esau was unwilling to live his life honoring his father, but now he
wants the privileges of the first born. Suddenly Esau becomes
concerned about spiritual things when he believes it will profit him.
Isaac can no longer resist God’s will and he blesses Esau this way,
“Your
dwelling will be away from the earth’s richness…you will live by
the sword and you will serve your brother but when you grow restless,
you will throw his yoke off your back“.
This is why in Hebrews 11:20 the writer says, “By
faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the things to come“.
God’s will is accomplished through good men and evil men. Even
though Isaac tried to work his own will, he recognized God’s plan
will not be defeated. What part of God’s plan for your life are you
resisting?
The
chapter ends with Rebekah sending Jacob off to stay with her brother
Labon until Esau calms down. Her actions do prevent Jacob from
marrying a Hittite women. Rebekah will never see her son again, but
Isaac will live another 40 years after his deathbed blessing is
given. Philippians 2:3 reminds us, “Do
nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind
let each of you regard one another as more important than himself“.