Genesis 27:4  “…that my soul may bless you before I die”
Passing on the birthright and blessing.  Commentary raised the question of whether Isaac was doing this even though he must have known God intended to pass on the promise through Jacob.  Hard to say.  Isaac may not have heard the story of Esau selling his birthright and he may not have had formal knowledge of God’s exact plan.  Certainly God does not condone deceit, but He is sovereign over all things.  Had Jacob and Rebekah trusted Him, He would have given the promise through birthright to Jacob by His own means.  Since they did not, He used the results for His own purpose, but allowed them to suffer the consequences of their actions.

10  “…that he may bless you before his death”
Sad commentary on the state of this family.  Father and mother choosing favorites among their children and deceiving each other.

20  “…Because the LORD your God brought it to me”
So sad that Jacob had such disrespect for his father as well as for God.

21  “…Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not”
Isaac was apparently not unaware of the possibility of deceit from his family.  Why else would he have insisted on double checking what Jacob told him?  How depressing to know you couldn’t believe what your own son told you.

29  “Let peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you.  Be master over your brethren, And let your mother’s sons bow down to you.  Cursed be everyone who curses you, And blessed be those who bless you!”
The passing of the promise and part of what God told Rebekah in chapter twenty-five.

31  “…that your soul may bless me”
One wonders about the thinking of Esau.  Was he so unaware of the importance of the birthright?  He had treated it with such disdain that he traded it for a bowl of soup.  Now it appears he doesn’t even remember the incident and expects to receive whatever his father will give him, whether he deserves it or not.  Furthermore, he still insists that it belongs to him.

33  “…indeed he shall be blessed”
What’s done is done.  Jacob has the blessing.

36  “…took away my birthright, and now look, he has taken away my blessing…”
No mention of his own part in the tale.  No remorse for treating his birthright as nothing.

40  “…And it shall come to pass, when you become restless, That you shall break his yoke from your neck”
Prophecy of actions between the future peoples of Israel and the Edomites.

42  “…the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah…”
Esau didn’t keep his anger toward his brother to himself.

44  “…stay with him a few days…”
I wonder if Rebekah actually thought it would only be a short time before she could send for Jacob, or did she know she would probably never see him again.

45  “…Why should I be bereaved also of you both in one day”
If Esau killed Jacob, Esau would be branded a murderer and probably killed by another relative in retaliation, any authority in the area, or perhaps by God Himself.  Even if he weren’t killed for his crime, what little fellowship Rebekah shared with him would be gone.  He may not have been her favorite, but he was still her son.

46  “…if Jacob takes a wife of the daughters of Heth…”
Another deceit of Isaac by his wife.  Given everything that has happened, surely Isaac saw what was going on.  But what Rebekah was suggesting wasn’t totally untrue.  Isaac was fully aware of the reason Rebekah was sought as a wife for himself rather than one from the Canaanites.  I’m sure he wished he had been able to do the same for Esau.  He probably knew his wife was manipulating him, but if he was still able to think clearly, I’ll bet he agreed with her reasons and the wisdom of her request.

I hope you enjoy reading and studying His word.  May it accomplish what He desires.  Please feel free to comment or post questions.  Thanks for reading!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.