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Genesis 27

46 verses

TL;DR

Isaac, old and blind, intends to bless Esau, but his wife Rebekah deceives him into blessing Jacob instead, leading to Esau’s anger and a looming family conflict.

Summary

When Isaac’s sight has faded, he prepares to bestow his blessing on his firstborn Esau, who is a hunter, while Rebekah hears the plan and convinces Jacob to impersonate Esau. Jacob follows his mother’s instructions, steals Esau’s goatskins and a special dish, and presents himself to Isaac as Esau, securing the blessing meant for the firstborn. Isaac, unable to distinguish Jacob’s voice from Esau’s, blesses him, foretelling great prosperity. Upon learning of the deception, Esau is furious and seeks to secure his own blessing, threatening Jacob’s life. Rebekah advises Jacob to flee to Haran for safety. The chapter concludes with Isaac’s mixed feelings about the future and a sense of divine sovereignty amid human scheming.

Outline
  1. 1. Isaac plans to bless Esau; Rebekah plots Jacob’s deception.
  2. 2. Jacob deceives Isaac and receives the blessing.
  3. 3. Esau’s rage and Rebekah’s warning lead Jacob to flee.
Themes
Deception and its consequencesDivine sovereignty and the distribution of blessingsFamily rivalry over inheritance
Keywords
blessingbirthrightdeceptionobediencefaithinheritanceconflict
People
IsaacRebekahJacobEsau
Places
Haran
Things
venisontwo goats’ kidsskins of goatsraimentsavory meatbreadwinedew of heavenfatness of the earth
Key Verses
  • Genesis 27:20: First moment Isaac’s blessing is given to Jacob, illustrating divine intervention.
  • Genesis 27:28: Isaac’s prophetic blessing that foretells Jacob’s future prosperity.
  • Genesis 27:42: Esau’s anger reveals the conflict triggered by deception.
  • Genesis 27:46: Isaac’s words hint at future conflict and a promise that Esau’s sword will bring Jacob’s downfall.
Questions
  • How does deception alter the relationships among the brothers?
  • What does Isaac’s blessing suggest about divine selection versus human expectation?
  • In what ways does this narrative warn us about the consequences of sibling rivalry?
  • How does obedience to parental instructions clash with divine promises?
  • What lessons about justice and mercy can be drawn from Isaac’s mixed feelings?
Sentiment

mixed
Blending of positive divine blessings with negative human deception and ensuing conflict.