8 JULY GENESIS 27

Deception and Destiny – The Blessing Passed Amidst Conflict Genesis 27 recounts a pivotal moment in redemptive history. Though marked by deceit, spiritual blindness, and family conflict, the sovereignty of God prevails. Isaac’s blessing, once given, establishes Jacob as heir to the Abrahamic covenant—not because of merit, but divine election. ✦ Isaac’s Intentions and Rebekah’s Intervention

Genesis 27:1–4 (NIV) “When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older son and said to him, ‘My son.’ ‘Here I am,’ he answered. Isaac said, ‘I am now an old man and don’t know the day of My death. Now then, get your equipment—your quiver and bow—and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for Me. Prepare Me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to Me to eat, so that I may give you My blessing before I die.’” Isaac, though near death and physically blind, is also spiritually partial. Despite God’s word that “the older will serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23), Isaac plans to bless Esau. Rebekah, who had received the prophetic word, takes initiative.

Genesis 27:5–8 (NIV) “Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, ‘Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, “Bring Me some game and prepare Me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you My blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.” Now, My son, listen carefully and do what I tell you…’” Though motivated by prophecy, Rebekah chooses manipulation over prayer, setting the stage for deception.

Jacob Deceives His Father

Jacob hesitates, fearing exposure—not sin. Genesis 27:11–13 (NIV) “Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, ‘But My brother Esau is a hairy man while I have smooth skin. What if My father touches Me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on Myself rather than a blessing.’ His mother said to him, ‘My son, let the curse fall on Me. Just do what I say; go and get them for Me.’” Jacob obeys. The deception is carefully constructed: goat skins, Esau’s clothes, a false claim, and a lie using God’s name.

Genesis 27:18–20 (NIV) “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.” Invoking God to support a lie shows the depth of Jacob’s ambition and spiritual immaturity. Yet this moment becomes a turning point of divine purpose.

The Blessing Is Transferred Despite suspicion, Isaac blesses Jacob. Genesis 27:27–29 (NIV) “So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said, ‘Ah, the smell of My son is like the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed. May God give you Heaven’s dew and Earth’s 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 those who bless you be blessed.’” This covenantal blessing echoes the Abrahamic promises (Genesis 12:3) and cements Jacob’s spiritual inheritance. It cannot be undone.

Esau’s Bitterness and Rejection

Esau returns unaware of what has occurred. Genesis 27:30–33 (NIV) “After Isaac finished blessing him, and Jacob had scarcely left his father’s presence, his brother Esau came in from hunting. He too prepared some tasty food and brought it to his father. Then he said to him, ‘My father, please sit up and eat some of My game, so that you may give Me your blessing.’ His father Isaac asked him, ‘Who are you?’ ‘I am your son,’ he answered, ‘your firstborn, Esau.’ Isaac trembled violently and said, ‘Who was it, then, that hunted game and brought it to Me? I ate it just before you came and I blessed him, and indeed he will be blessed!’”

Isaac’s trembling shows spiritual awakening. He now realises that God’s purpose has prevailed, despite human plotting. Esau pleads. Genesis 27:34–35 (NIV) “When Esau heard his father’s words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, ‘Bless me, Me too, My father!’ But he said, ‘Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.’”

Though Isaac later blesses Esau, it carries no covenantal weight. Genesis 27:39–40 (NIV) “His father Isaac answered him, ‘Your dwelling will be away from the Earth’s richness, away from the dew of Heaven above. You will live by the sword and you will serve your brother. But when you grow restless, you will throw his yoke from off your neck.’” Esau's future is marked by conflict, echoing his earlier despising of the birthright (Genesis 25:34). Hebrews 12:17 warns us that he “could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears.”

• Jacob Must Flee*

Genesis 27:41–42 (NIV) “Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, ‘The days of mourning for My father are near; then I will kill My brother Jacob.’ When Rebekah was told what her older son Esau had said, she sent for her younger son Jacob and said to him, ‘Your brother Esau is planning to avenge himself by killing you.’”

Rebekah arranges Jacob’s departure to her brother Laban. Genesis 27:43–45 (NIV)“‘Now then, My son, do what I say: Flee at once to My brother Laban in Harran. Stay with him for a while until your brother’s fury subsides. When your brother is no longer angry with you and forgets what you did to him, I’ll send word for you to come back from there. Why should I lose both of you in one day?’”

Jacob, though now the heir of blessing, departs in haste and exile. Yet this flight will become the wilderness journey through which God reshapes him.