Genesis Chapter 27
Isaac and Rebekah’s twin boys had grown up and Isaac was at the end of his days. He decided it was time to pass on his inheritance and blessings of God to his oldest son. In the case of the twins, the oldest was the first-born Esau. But Rebekah wanted Jacob to receive the inheritance and blessings, so she devised a plan.
Genesis 25:22-23The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the LORD. And the LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”
Back when Rebekah was pregnant with the twins God had already told her that the younger would serve the older, but she had not trusted God and made sure that Isaac passed on the blessing to Jacob. It is only God who can bless someone. There were no magical powers in the words that Isaac said to his son only that he announced God’s plan as He had been previously told.
Let's Reflect
1. What did Rebekah overhear her husband say to Esau?
2. The twins were not identical twins obviously. What were some differences that Isaac was looking for despite his bad eyesight in his older years?
3. Did Jacob immediately want to go along with his mother’s plan?
4. Was Isaac certain that he was talking to his older son Esau?
5. What were the words of the blessing that Isaac spoke over Jacob that were the words that God had previously told Rebekah would be the case when she was pregnant with the twins?
6. How did Esau feel when he arrived back home with the prepared game he caught?
7. Was Isaac upset when he realized he had been tricked?
8. Esau was going to be a servant of Jacob in the future, but he decided he did not like the sound of that. What did he plan to do about his position in life? See verse 41.
Rebekah learned of Esau’s plan and made another plan of her own. She would step in and do what she thought was necessary. Notice that she does not seem to be entreating the throne of God any longer for the answers that she needs but is instead relying on self.
