God's Purpose Stands (Genesis 27)

Sometimes we are blessed, not because we deserve it, but because God has a greater purpose than our sins. A native American once said that European settlers did not deserve the land they stole, but they brought an even more valuable gift, the Gospel. Can God use people who must repent of lies and theft to spread the Good News? Let’s look at Genesis 27.

Not only had Esau sold his birthright, he was also going to have his blessing stolen.

Eventually, Isaac grew so old that he could not see. One day, he called his eldest son Esau. “My son,” he called out to him. “Look how old I am! I could die any day now, so go find your weapons, take your bow and arrows, go outside, and hunt some game for me. Then prepare some food, just the way I like it, and bring it to me so that I can eat and bless you before I die.” (Genesis 27:1-4 ISV)

What was Rebekah’s plot? Did she need to lie and steal for God’s prophecy about Jacob to be fulfilled, or does this reveal a lack of trust in God?

And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it. And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying, Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the Lord before my death. Now therefore, my son, 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. (Genesis 27:5-10 KJV)

How did Jacob contribute to his mother’s plot? Did he wear a disguise?

But Jacob said to his mother Rebekah, “Behold, my brother Esau is a hairy man and I am a smooth man. Perhaps my father will touch me, then I will be like a deceiver in his sight, and I will bring upon myself a curse and not a blessing.” But his mother said to him, “Your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get the goats for me.” So he went and got them, and brought them to his mother; and his mother made a delicious meal such as his father loved. Then Rebekah took the best garments of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob. And she put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. She also gave the delicious meal and the bread which she had made to her son Jacob. (Genesis 27:11-17 NASB)

Did Jacob go above and beyond the deception of a disguise, and also lie to his father?

He went to his father and said, “My father.” “Yes, my son,” he answered. “Who is it?” Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.” Isaac asked his son, “How did you find it so quickly, my son?” “The Lord your God gave me success,” he replied. (Genesis 27:18-20 NIV)

Did Jacob’s disguised hands deceive his father? Did Isaac therefore bless him?

Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not.” So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, and he felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands; so he blessed him. Then he said, “Are you really my son Esau?” He said, “I am.” (Genesis 27:21-24 NKJV)

Did Jacob also deceive his father with the smell of his clothes?

Then Isaac said, “Now, my son, bring me the wild game. Let me eat it, and then I will give you my blessing.” So Jacob took the food to his father, and Isaac ate it. He also drank the wine that Jacob served him. Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come a little closer and kiss me, my son.” So Jacob went over and kissed him. And when Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he was finally convinced, and he blessed his son. He said, “Ah! The smell of my son is like the smell of the outdoors, which the Lord has blessed! (Genesis 27:25-27 NLT)