Repeated phrases:
(1) Isaac was old, almost blind and about to die v.1, 2, 4, 7, 10.
All of the occurrences of this statement is related to his blessing. It is so important in the mind of Esau, Rebekah and Jacob to have his blessing. From Abraham and Isaac the family already learned that God promises which passed down from their family was very important. Isaac inherit great wealth and success in front of Abimelech. They all knew that it was important.
(2) Jacob lied to Isaac 5 times to gain the blessing which God had promised to him (Gen 25:23).
v.18-19 He claimed to be Esau,
v.20 He said God made his hunting quickly done
v.22-23 His hand was hairy
v.24 He claimed to be Esau again
v.27 He smelled like Esau
It was almost cruel to deceive an old man who almost died, especially when he was your father. I dont know what was in the mind of Jacob, but he was determined to get his father's blessings.
(3) Rebekah
Most people recognized that Rebekah practiced impartiality between her 2 sons and she helped Jacob to cheat Isaac. But why? Perhaps she recalled the promise God gave her:
So she asked the LORD,25:23 and the LORD said to her,
“Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples will be separated from within you.
One people will be stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger.”
(NET) By metonymy the two children in her womb are described as two nations of which the two children, Jacob and Esau, would become the fathers. The language suggests there would be a struggle between these nations, with one being stronger than the other. The oracle reveals that all of Jacob’s scheming was unnecessary in the final analysis. He would have become the dominant nation without using deception to steal his brother’s blessing.
Not only Jacob's scheme was unnecessary, all Rebekah's favoritism and scheme to deceive her husband were unnecessary.
Reflection: Jacob and Rebekah used the wrong method, but at least their found God's blessings as very important. Do you? Do we look at God's promises as valuable and important to our lives?
Jacob and Rebekah spent many energy and time to do unnecessary things. How about you? Do you trust God who would give us what He promises? Or we do not and wasting our time to work for them?
Audrey
2026
1. Repeated words:
(a) The blessings from Isaac before his death was a desirable and very valuable asset to his sons. Gn 27:4 + 12 times
(b) The blessings from Isaac were closely related to the tasty food one can provide for him. Gn 27:4, 7, 9, 14, 17, 31
NET Heb “so that my soul may bless you.” The use of נַפְשִׁי (nafshi, “my soul”) as the subject emphasizes that the blessing will be made with all Isaac’s desire and vitality. The conjunction “so that” closely relates the meal to the blessing, suggesting that this will be a ritual meal in conjunction with the giving of a formal blessing.
2. Was the difference between Isaac and Rebekah more than their favoritism to their son 25:28?
In 25: 23 and the LORD said to her,
“Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples will be separated from within you.
One people will be stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger.”
In 27:29 Isaac blessed the supposed "Esau" and said,
You will be lord over your brothers,
and the sons of your mother will bow down to you.
Assumed Isaac knew what the LORD said to R at the birth of the twins, he did not believe it or he tried to contend with the LORD. However, he did not get his way. The deception mother and son tricked him.
3. The details of the story was given to how this mother-son pair succeeded in their deception plan
A. the planning: the tasty food could be substituted by the best young goats, the smooth skin was covered with the skins of the young goats, and somehow R also asked Jacob to put on Esau's best clothes (without explanation at this time)
B. the execution: Isaac doubted about the timing v.20, the voice v.22, but the hairy skin resolved those issued v.20-23. Then Isaac doubted again v.24, but the tasty game resolved that v.24-25. Finally Isaac's doubt was resolved when he kissed him and caught the scent of his clothing v.26-27.
Conclusion: A caution Isaac was tricked by his wife who was one step ahead of him. The chosen son would be blessed. Isaac's blessing was almost intercepted by Ishmael. Jacob's blessing was again almost intercepted by Esau. But the one God chose would eventually got the blessings no matter what the human tried to prevent it from happening.
Reflection: What is God's will for me? Do I try to change God's will by my own will?
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