By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
THE DECEIVER
Genesis 27:18–29
As we return to our study in Genesis we find Isaac quite old. His spiritual edge has dulled. He is visually impaired and dependent upon his family. Most notably he has come to oppose the revealed will of God concerning Jacob and Esau. He was well aware of the battle that had taken place between the twins in Rebekah’s womb. He knew God said, “The older shall serve the younger” (Gen. 25:23). Isaac was also irritated that Jacob manipulated Esau into giving his birthright to him. But Isaac was determined that though Esau lost his birthright, he would give him the firstborn’s blessing. He was determined to have his way despite God’s word.
Isaac sent Esau out to hunt game and prepare a meal for them so he could bless Esau. But Rebekah overheard their plan. (Tent walls do not hide much, especially in the midst of domestic strife.) As soon as Esau had left, Rebekah jumped into action. She prepared Isaac’s favorite food and disguised Jacob as Esau.
A Deceitful Son (18–23)
Jacob set his hesitations aside, put on his clever disguise and approached his father. A product of his mother’s love and his own self-promoting heart, Jacob acted despicably. He lied to his father three times. First, he lied when he said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn.” Second, he lied when he named the Lord as the reason for his successful hunting. This was blasphemy. Jacob made God his accomplice. Isaac then asked his son to come near him. Isaac recognized Jacob’s voice but felt hands hairy like Esau’s. Third, Jacob lied when his father asked him one more time, “Are you really my son Esau?” And Jacob answered, “I am.”
A Deceived Father (24–27)
Believing Esau was standing before him, Isaac commanded him to bring the food so he could eat and bless him. Isaac ate the game and drank the wine. After eating the meal he asked his son to come near and kiss him. Isaac recognized the smell of Esau before him. The kiss was actually a fourth lie. How could Jacob claim to love his father when he was in the act of deceiving him? Since the smell of the garments finally convinced Isaac that it was indeed Esau, the stage was now set for the giving of the blessing.
A Stolen Blessing (28–29)
Isaac’s blessing of pseudo-Esau is in the form of four poetic stanzas. The first stanza said, “The smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed.” The stolen garments, smelling of the country, called forth from Isaac the promise of the land, which produces abundantly.
The second stanza said, “May God give to you — from the dew of the sky and from the richness of the land — an abundance of grain and new wine.” Dew is a Hebrew metaphor for God’s goodness in providing abundance. “Dew,” “fatness” and “plenty” formed an invocation of refreshment and prosperity upon his son.
The third stanza said, “May peoples serve you and nations bow in worship to you. Be master over your relatives; may your mother’s sons bow in worship to you.” Isaac longed for Esau to have an empire. He utterly rejected God’s word to Rebekah that “the older shall serve the younger.” Isaac blessed pseudo-Esau with universal dominion.
The fourth stanza said, “Those who curse you will be cursed and those who bless you will be blessed.” The final blessing invoked divine protection. Isaac thought he had thwarted God’s plan but Jacob, in Esau’s clothing, had displaced Esau again.
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