Bible Commentaries
Genesis 27

Verses 1-4

Despite the marriages, Isaac continued to love Esau more than Jacob. His advancing years convinced Isaac it was time to give the blessing, which normally went with the birthright, to Esau. He intended to do this despite God's prophecy that the older would serve the younger and the selling of the birthright which usually went with the blessing ( Gen_27:1-4 ; Gen_25:23 ; Gen_25:29-34 ).

Verses 5-29

Rebekah Helped Jacob Get the Blessing

Rebekah overheard Isaac's instructions to Esau. She called for Jacob and told him to kill two choice kids from the flocks. She planned to prepare them in a way which would make them taste like wild game. Then, she intended for Jacob to take the meal to his father and receive the blessing.

Jacob protested, not because he did not want to deceive, but because he feared being caught. He worried his smooth skin would give him away and he would be cursed by his father. Rebekah's response shows she was a conscious deceiver in this affair. "Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me." Jacob's willing participation in the deception is seen in his going to get the kids. He follows that by allowing his mother to put the skins of the kids on his hands and neck. He also wore his brother's clothing which his mother gave him. He finished the deception by lying to his father about his identity and the speed with which he was able to bring the meat.

Isaac was so blind he had to ask who had come. Though the voice was that of Jacob, the smell of the clothes and feel of the kids' skins deceived him. After eating the meat Rebekah had prepared, Isaac gave the blessing to Jacob. ( Gen_27:5-29 ).

Verses 30-46

Esau's Despair

Almost as soon as Jacob had left, Esau returned with the meat he had killed and prepared. Isaac asked who he was. As soon as Esau identified himself, Isaac realized the deception which had taken place. Esau pleaded for a blessing from his father but the real blessing, though received by deceit, had already gone to his brother. Esau declared his brother properly named Jacob, meaning supplanter. He had supplanted his brother in the birthright and blessing. Isaac did give him such blessing as he could. He said:

Behold your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth, And of the dew of heaven from above. By your sword you shall live, And you shall serve your brother; And it shall come to pass, when you become restless, That you shall break his yoke from your neck.

This paltry blessing seemed to focus Esau's hatred for his brother. He resolved to kill his brother after the time of mourning for his dead father would be finished. Apparently, someone who heard Esau told Rebekah. She called Jacob and had him prepare to go to her brother's house until the anger subsided. Then, Rebekah went to Isaac and convinced him to send Jacob to Laban's house to find a wife rather than have another daughter-in-law from among the people around them ( Gen_27:30-46 ).