Genesis 27

(Genesis 27:1-46): Isaac was correct about being old; he was 137 years old, and did not know when he would die (Gen 27:1-2). His brother Ishmael died at this age (Gen 25:17). Never mind that Isaac’s grandfather, Terah, lived to be 205 years of age (Gn 11:32), and his father Abraham lived to be 175 years old (Gn 25:7-8). So, Isaac naturally assumed his days on earth were quickly coming to a close.

Since Isaac had a craving for some of Esau’s venison before he died (Gen 27:4; 25:28), he gave Esau two incentives to hunt and prepare some venison for his “last” meal: his “impending” death (Gen 27:2) and his bestowal of blessing (Gen 27:4). But Isaac was far from dying; in fact, he will live on after this desire for deer meat for another 43 years as a visually impaired man (Gen 27:1; 35:28-29).

Isaac should have never attempted to circumvent Yahweh’s oracle to Rebekah – the older [Esau] shall serve the younger [Jacob] (Gen 25:23). Esau was attempting to get around the fact that he foolishly bartered his birthright, a double portion of the inheritance, to Jacob (cf. Gen 25:30-34; Heb 12:16), not to mention the fact he married daughters of Canaan (Gen 26:34-35) which was forbidden by God (cf. Gen 17:19; 24:3, 7; 27:46; 28:1-2).

Rebekah was eavesdropping on the conversation between Isaac and Esau (Gen 27:5) and plotted to make sure Jacob received the blessing rather than Esau. Isaac and Esau were asserting their will over God’s, and Rebekah and the reluctant Jacob (Gen 27:11-12) were attempting to do God’s will in the flesh (Gen 27:8-16). Rebekah’s plan worked for Isaac to bless Jacob (Gen 27:28-29). Rebekah had the correct understanding of what was at stake (cf. Gen 25:23; 27:46), but the end never justifies the means. God is the Almighty; He doesn’t have to resort to this method of accomplishing His will. This sent the wrong signal to her son Jacob.

There is an interesting parallel between Esau and Isaac. Esau traded his birthright over food because he thought he was going to “die” (Gen 25:32), and Isaac was going to circumvent God’s oracle that the older shall serve the younger (Gen 25:23) for a taste of venison before his death (Gen 27:4, before I die). Neither was going to “die” and both were willing to sacrifice something of far greater value and significance for a whim of the flesh!

What happened to Isaac when he allowed his father to bind him and place him on the altar as a sacrifice to God (Gen 22:9) to be willing to sacrifice God’s will for a taste of meat before he dies?! Esau disqualified himself, even though he was the firstborn, by selling his birthright and marrying pagan women.

Once Esau found out about the trickery, his soul was grieved, and he could only find comfort in his plan to kill his brother Jacob once Isaac passed away (Gen 27:41-42); he didn’t know he would have to wait 43 years! In the meantime, Rebekah convinced Isaac to send Jacob to Laban, Rebekah’s brother, in Haran to find a wife (Gen 27:46; 28:1-2). Her immediate reason was to separate Jacob from Esau to avoid a senseless tragedy (Gen 27:42-45). The miscalculation of Rebekah was that a few days (Gen 27:44) turned into over 20 years. It is possible Rebekah never saw Jacob again.

Father, how often have I trashed your will for the appetites of the flesh? I see myself in all of these Bible characters in one way or another. How many times have I attempted to do Your will in my own strength, impatient, over-reactive, prayerless, and overly zealous? Isaac and Jacob were great men of God but far from perfect. I got the “far from perfect” down pat; O Yahweh, grant me that I might be a great man of God for Your glory before leaving this life! May I weigh all things on the balance scale and choose the eternal weight of glory. <><