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Introduction
The Persons Involved
Thoughts concerning their Actions
See: Gen. 32:22-32 - Wrestling with God
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The Stolen Blessing
Gen. 27
Gen. 27
Introduction
The Bible records the good and the bad of the personalities
it presents.
Abraham – man of faith but he lied about his wife Moses –
leader of Israel and recipient of the Law but disobeyed God David – king and
man after God’s own heart but guilty of adultery and murder Peter – leading
apostle but denied Christ three times
Ch. 27 makes its impressions and
teaches its lessons by simply relating the facts; reveals a family full of
jealousy and deceit; this chapter has been called a chapter of desires and
devices; a God-fearing family exhibiting the attitude and actions of the
world; a pitiful portrait of a godly family.
The chapter reveals the potential of human nature.
The chapter reveals the potential of human nature.
The Persons Involved
Isaac – the father of
the two brothers and husband of Rebekah
Claimed he was near death, but
lived some forty more years; his rush to action and his secrecy create
suspicion about his motives and agenda.
He loved Esau and wanted him to be blessed; “Isaac love Esau because he ate of his game” (Gen. 25:28).
Perhaps he knew of God’s word to Rebekah that the older would serve the younger (Gen. 25:23); therefore, he may have worked against what he feared would come to pass; he wanted what he wanted.
Isaac instructs Esau to bring him a meal at which time he will bless him.
He loved Esau and wanted him to be blessed; “Isaac love Esau because he ate of his game” (Gen. 25:28).
Perhaps he knew of God’s word to Rebekah that the older would serve the younger (Gen. 25:23); therefore, he may have worked against what he feared would come to pass; he wanted what he wanted.
Isaac instructs Esau to bring him a meal at which time he will bless him.
Esau – the son and the
older brother
He cooperated with his father; he killed the game, prepared
the meal, and brought it to his father, expecting the blessing.
It must be remembered that Esau was already a profane person who had already despised and sold his birthright to Jacob because he did not value its spiritual implications; he was not favored by God (Mal. 1:2-3; Rom. 9:10-13).
Hebrews gives a warning and uses Esau as an example: “Pursue . . . holiness . . . lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears” (12:14, 16-17).
It must be remembered that Esau was already a profane person who had already despised and sold his birthright to Jacob because he did not value its spiritual implications; he was not favored by God (Mal. 1:2-3; Rom. 9:10-13).
Hebrews gives a warning and uses Esau as an example: “Pursue . . . holiness . . . lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears” (12:14, 16-17).
Rebekah – the wife and mother of the two brothers
She knew the prophecy
regarding the two sons, for the Lord had spoken to her: “Two nations are in
your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall
be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger” (Gen.
25:23).
Perhaps for this reason, “Rebekah loved Jacob” (Gen. 25:28).
It could be argued that her desire was good but her actions were wrong; she refused to wait on God to accomplish and bring to pass His word; therefore, she calls Jacob and gives him instructions on how to deceive his father and secure the blessing.
Perhaps for this reason, “Rebekah loved Jacob” (Gen. 25:28).
It could be argued that her desire was good but her actions were wrong; she refused to wait on God to accomplish and bring to pass His word; therefore, she calls Jacob and gives him instructions on how to deceive his father and secure the blessing.
Jacob – the son and younger brother
He is reluctant
(27:12), but he follows his mother’s instructions; he secures the blessing
even though he was the younger.
Thoughts concerning their Actions
Godly
people do not always do what is right.
Isaac, the son of Abraham and the
heir of the covenant, and his wife, providentially brought to him by a godly
servant, were not without fault.
Sin brings with it tragic consequences:
the family was destroyed.
Rebekah lost her favorite son who was forced to
flee the wrath of Esau; she died before he returned home some twenty years
later.
Isaac lost both of his sons; Jacob fled to Haran, and Esau took a wife of the pagans; perhaps he blamed himself for the entire episode.
Jacob had to leave home in order to save his life; he lived in exile for twenty years, separated from his father, mother, and brother.
Esau was filled with anger and wrath; he determined to kill Jacob, and to spite his father married a woman from the land of Canaan.
Isaac lost both of his sons; Jacob fled to Haran, and Esau took a wife of the pagans; perhaps he blamed himself for the entire episode.
Jacob had to leave home in order to save his life; he lived in exile for twenty years, separated from his father, mother, and brother.
Esau was filled with anger and wrath; he determined to kill Jacob, and to spite his father married a woman from the land of Canaan.
The consequences are often
greater than the sin.
At the time of the single episode the family was
together; but a week later Esau is plotting revenge, Jacob is travelling
alone to a distant land, Rebekah is heart-broken, and Esau is head of a
destroyed family.
The consequences are often lasting.
The consequences
literally lasted for a lifetime for each of these four individuals; what
they had was destroyed, and they never had it again; what sin had broken
could not be fixed.
Consequences remain even though the sin may be
forgiven.
Present forgiveness does not negate present consequences; Jacob
experienced God at Bethel but he continue his journey to a far land.
Consequences can be avoided if sin is avoided.
Life is a struggle to do
right; the struggle is unending, and no one is without fault.
See: Gen. 32:22-32 - Wrestling with God
Return to Genesis
For overview of EXEGESIS, see: Site Map - Exegesis
For overview of THEOLOGY, see: Site Map - Theology