Explanation - Jacob Tricks His Father (Genesis 27)

 

Explanation

Jacob Tricks His Father

(Genesis 27) 

In this story, there is a family with a father named Isaac and his two sons, Esau and Jacob. Isaac is old and blind, so he cannot see well. He decides to give his blessing to his eldest son, Esau, before he dies. The blessing is very special and important in their family.

Rebekah, the boys' mother, hears about this and wants Jacob, her favorite son, to get the blessing instead of Esau. She comes up with a plan to trick Isaac. She tells Jacob to bring her two young goats from their flock, and she will cook them in a way that Isaac likes.

Jacob is worried that his father might find out, but his mother reassures him. She takes the hairy skin of the goats and puts it on Jacob's arms and neck, so he feels like Esau. Then she gives him Esau's clothes to wear.

Jacob goes to his father with the cooked goats, and Isaac is suspicious because Jacob's voice sounds like Jacob, but he feels like Esau. Isaac asks who it is, and Jacob lies, saying he is Esau.

Isaac eats the food and asks Jacob to come closer so he can touch him. He believes Jacob is Esau and gives him the special blessing, thinking he is blessing Esau. This makes Jacob very happy.

As soon as Jacob leaves, Esau comes back from hunting. He prepares the food for his father and goes to receive the blessing. But when Isaac realizes what happened, he is shocked and sad. Esau begs his father for a blessing too, but Isaac says that Jacob already received it, and he cannot take it back.

Esau is angry and wants to hurt Jacob, so Rebekah tells Jacob to run away to her brother's house for a while until Esau's anger cools down.

And so, Jacob gets the blessing through trickery, and Esau is left feeling hurt and betrayed.

 

Blessing's Veil

In ancient lands where blessings lay,

A tale unfolds, in shades of gray.

Blind eyes, a father's frail decree,

Two sons entwined in destiny.

 

Isaac, old and nearing the end,

Sought to bless his eldest friend.

Esau, strong and swift to roam,

The chosen one to lead the home.

 

But Rebekah, with cunning wile,

Yearned for Jacob's grace to smile.

Her favored son, her heart's delight,

To claim the blessing in the night.

 

With goat-skin gloves upon his hands,

And Esau's scent, a trickster stands.

Jacob, shrouded in disguise,

Takes his chance to claim the prize.

 

Deceived, the father's voice unsure,

His hands explored the man before.

Though doubts arose, the feast was shared,

And blessings granted, unaware.

 

Yet, Esau, hurt and filled with ire,

Arrived too late to his desire.

The words he sought, now lost in air,

A wounded heart left in despair.

 

In fear, Rebekah swiftly sends,

Her son away to make amends.

To Laban's kin, he must depart,

To heal the rift, to mend the heart.

 

"Blessing's Veil" reveals the tale,

Of family strife, where hopes assail.

In twists of fate and choices made,

The human heart's foundations laid.

 

Genesis 27:1-10 tells the story of how Isaac, an old man who was becoming blind, wanted to give a special blessing to his eldest son, Esau, before he died.

Isaac called Esau and asked him to go hunting and prepare a tasty meal for him. After enjoying the meal, Isaac would then give him the important blessing.

But Isaac's wife, Rebekah, overheard this and had a different plan. She favored their other son, Jacob. Rebekah told Jacob about Isaac's plan and asked him to bring her two goats from the flock. She would then cook the goats in a way that Isaac loved, and Jacob could take the food to his father pretending to be Esau.

Jacob was worried that his father might find out, but his mother assured him that she would take responsibility for any problems that might arise. So, Jacob followed his mother's plan.

He brought the goats, and Rebekah cooked them just the way Isaac liked. Then she dressed Jacob in Esau's clothes and covered his hands and neck with the hairy skin of the goats to make him feel like Esau.

With the delicious food in hand and dressed like Esau, Jacob went to his father. Isaac, whose eyesight was poor, couldn't see well and became unsure about the identity of the person standing before him. He asked if he was really Esau.

Jacob lied and said that he was Esau. Isaac then asked him to come closer so he could touch him and make sure. As Jacob approached, Isaac believed that he was indeed Esau because of the hairy skin on his hands.

And so, the story sets the stage for the trickery that unfolds as Jacob tries to receive the special blessing meant for his brother Esau.

Genesis 27:11-20 continues the story of Jacob's trickery to receive his father's blessing meant for his brother Esau.

After Jacob approached his blind father Isaac, who couldn't see well, Isaac felt the hairy skin on Jacob's hands and became convinced that he was Esau. However, he was still uncertain because Jacob's voice sounded different.

Isaac asked Jacob directly if he was really Esau, the firstborn son. Jacob, still pretending to be Esau, lied again and said that he was indeed Esau. This made Isaac feel more at ease.

Isaac then asked Jacob to bring the food closer so that he could eat it and give him the blessing. Jacob brought the food, and Isaac ate it. Afterward, Isaac asked Jacob to come near and give him a kiss.

As Jacob leaned in to kiss his father, Isaac smelled the scent of Esau's clothes that Jacob was wearing. This further convinced Isaac that the person before him was indeed Esau.

Feeling reassured, Isaac gave Jacob the special blessing meant for Esau. He wished him prosperity, abundance, and authority over his brothers. Jacob succeeded in deceiving his father and receiving the blessing.

But as soon as Isaac finished blessing Jacob, Esau returned from his hunting trip. He had prepared the food for his father and was ready to receive the blessing he deserved as the eldest son.

Esau went to his father and asked for the blessing, but Isaac was shocked to realize that he had been tricked. He trembled with surprise and sorrow, realizing that he had given the blessing to Jacob instead.

Esau was deeply hurt and cried out to his father, begging for a blessing as well. But Isaac explained that he had already given the blessing to Jacob, and he couldn't take it back.

The situation became tense as Esau felt betrayed and angry, and Jacob had to flee to avoid Esau's wrath. Rebekah, their mother, instructed Jacob to go to her brother Laban's house until Esau's anger had subsided.

And so, the consequences of Jacob's deception and the struggle for their father's blessing set the stage for the complex and challenging relationship between the two brothers, Esau and Jacob.

 

Genesis 27:21-30 continues the story of Jacob's deception to receive his father's blessing, and it also shows how Esau reacts to the situation.

After Jacob received the blessing, he quickly left his father's presence. As soon as Jacob departed, Esau returned from his hunting trip with the food he had prepared for his father.

Esau went to his father, Isaac, and said, "I am here, Father. Eat the food I have brought, and then give me your blessing."

Isaac was puzzled and asked, "Who are you? You sound like Jacob, but your hands feel hairy like Esau's."

Esau realized that Jacob had deceived their father and received the blessing meant for him. He was filled with anger and frustration. Despite his feelings, he still asked his father to bless him.

Isaac, knowing that he had already given the blessing to Jacob, told Esau, "I have already given the blessing to your brother. He will be blessed with abundance, and he will be a ruler over you."

Esau was heartbroken and let out a loud cry of distress. He pleaded with his father, "Please, bless me too, Father!"

Isaac couldn't change what had already happened, but he tried to comfort Esau, saying, "Your dwelling will be away from the fertile land, and you will live by your sword, serving your brother. But eventually, you will break free and throw off his yoke from your neck."

Esau's sorrow turned to anger as he realized that Jacob had not only taken the blessing but also the promise of being the ruler over him. From that moment, Esau harbored resentment towards Jacob and plotted to get revenge.

When Rebekah learned about Esau's anger, she warned Jacob and advised him to leave for her brother Laban's house for safety. She hoped that by sending Jacob away for a while, Esau's anger would cool down and the situation might improve.

And so, the story highlights the consequences of Jacob's deceit and the deep emotional impact it had on Esau and their family. It sets the stage for Jacob's journey to Laban's house and the significant events that follow.

 

Genesis 27:31-40 tells us about what happened after Jacob received the blessing meant for his brother Esau.

When Esau saw that Jacob had received the blessing, he was very upset and angry. He cried out loudly to his father, Isaac.

Esau said, "Bless me too, Father! Please give me a blessing."

Isaac replied to Esau, "I have already blessed Jacob, and he will be your ruler. He took your blessing."

Esau was sad and said, "Isn't there any blessing left for me, Father? Please bless me too!"

Isaac told Esau about his future. He said, "Your life will be tough. You will not live in a fertile land, and you will have to work hard to survive. You will serve your brother for a time, but eventually, you will break free from his control."

Esau was hurt and furious with his brother. He thought about what Jacob had done to him and how he had tricked their father to take the blessing.

Esau decided that once their father Isaac died, he would plan to kill Jacob as revenge for stealing his blessing.

When Rebekah, their mother, learned about Esau's plan, she told Jacob to leave for her brother Laban's house and stay there for a while until Esau's anger calmed down.

Rebekah hoped that by sending Jacob away, she could protect him from Esau's anger and keep him safe.

And so, the story shows the consequences of Jacob's deceit and the deep rift it caused between him and his brother Esau. It also reveals how Rebekah intervened to protect Jacob and ensure his safety until the situation could be resolved.

 

Genesis 27:41-46 continues the story of Jacob and Esau, showing how Esau's anger leads to a decision that affects Jacob's life.

After Jacob received the blessing from their father Isaac, Esau's anger grew stronger. He was very upset with Jacob for taking what was rightfully his.

Esau decided that he would harm Jacob. He planned to kill him as soon as their father Isaac died.

When Rebekah, their mother, learned about Esau's plan, she became worried for Jacob's safety. She didn't want any harm to come to him.

Rebekah called Jacob and said, "Your brother Esau is planning to kill you. Listen to me and do what I say. Go to my brother Laban's house in Haran. Stay there for a while until Esau's anger cools down. When it's safe, I'll send for you and bring you back home."

Rebekah hoped that by sending Jacob far away, she could protect him from Esau's anger and keep him safe.

She also told Isaac, "I am very upset with Esau's Hittite wives. I don't want Jacob to marry a woman from among them. Please let him go to my brother's house."

Isaac agreed with Rebekah's request and told Jacob to go to Laban's house and choose a wife from their own relatives.

Jacob obeyed his parents, and he left for Laban's house in Haran.

And so, the story reveals how Esau's anger led to a dangerous situation for Jacob, and Rebekah took action to protect her son by sending him away to her brother's house until the tension between the brothers had subsided.

 

Quotable Quotes

In Genesis 27, there are several significant quotes that are worth mentioning. Here are some quotable quotes from this chapter:

 

"I am old now and don't know the day of my death." - Isaac (Genesis 27:2)

This quote shows Isaac's awareness of his old age and mortality, prompting him to seek to give the blessing to his eldest son before he passes away.

 

"Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing." - Isaac to Esau (Genesis 27:35)

Isaac acknowledges that Jacob obtained the blessing through deception, adding to Esau's anger and hurt.

 

"Your dwelling will be away from the earth's richness, away from the dew of heaven above." - Isaac to Esau (Genesis 27:39)

Isaac foretells a tough life for Esau, signifying that he will not enjoy the same blessings and prosperity as Jacob.

 

"Go to Paddan Aram, to the house of Bethuel, your mother's father. Take a wife for yourself there, from among the daughters of Laban, your mother's brother." - Rebekah to Jacob (Genesis 27:43)

Rebekah advises Jacob to go to her brother Laban's house to find a wife, aiming to protect him from Esau's wrath.

 

These quotes capture some of the pivotal moments in the story of Genesis 27, highlighting the themes of deception, family dynamics, blessings, and the consequences of actions.