Deceit and Blessing
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Key Verses: “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?” Selected Scripture: |
ISAAC WAS FORTY YEARS old when Rebekah became his wife. She, like Sarah, Isaac’s mother, was barren. After twenty years had elapsed, Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife and she conceived, not knowing that she was carrying two sons within her. As she prayed to the Lord about the struggle of the children in her womb, the Lord answered: “Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” (Gen. 25:23) Twins were born to Isaac and Rebekah; the older came forth “red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau” (hairy), later called “Edom” (red). The second twin came out “and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel,” as if to hold him back. He was named Jacob, which means ‘supplanter.’—vss. 25,26
Esau became Isaac’s favorite son because he was an outdoorsman and a hunter. The game he caught for meals pleased Isaac. On the other hand, Rebekah loved Jacob, who was more of a homebody. Both sons grew in the knowledge of their ancestors, such as Abraham, and in particular of the wonderful promises given to Abraham and now to their father, Isaac. Abraham died when the boys were fifteen years old.
According to the traditions of that time, the oldest son or heir of the family was to prepare a meal in honor of a patriarch; but he was also to fast on that day. Possibly on some such special day, Jacob prepared a meal when Esau came from hunting and was famished. The birthright involved a double portion of the family’s estate, and a blessing from God as a reward of faith, such as was found in Abraham and Isaac. So when Jacob suggested to Esau that he sell his birthright, Esau made light of it and said, “Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?” (Gen. 25:32) Was he about to die: The answer is “No.” The account clearly states that Esau “despised his birthright.” (vs. 34) The Apostle Paul, in telling of this incident in Hebrews 12:16,17, calls Esau a “profane person.”
There is no record in the Scriptures that Isaac learned of this transaction. We would, perhaps, expect Rebekah to know because of her close attachment to Jacob. However, there is indirect evidence that Isaac knew, but with time and old age, forgot. His love for Esau was so great that he wanted to bless him as the eldest son. Rebekah overheard the plan and sought to circumvent it by having Jacob bring to Isaac a meal that she prepared. She also dressed Jacob in Esau’s clothes, and put hairy goatskins on his arms.
Isaac was bedridden and blind when Jacob arrived to get the eldest son’s blessing, which now was rightfully his. Much has been written about this incident, saying that Rebekah and Jacob lied and were deceitful. The blame lay with Isaac. He never should have wanted to give Esau the eldest son’s blessing. Jacob had rightfully supplanted Esau a second time.