Genesis 27:6-29 April 1, 2001

6 And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying, 7 Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death. 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee. 9 Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth: 10 And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death. 11 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man: 12 My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing. 13 And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them. 14 And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved. 15 And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son: 16 And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck: 17 And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

18 And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son? 19 And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me. 20 And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the LORD thy God brought it to me. 21 And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not. 22 And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. 23 And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau’s hands: so he blessed him. 24 And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am. 25 And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank. 26 And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son. 27 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed: 28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: 29 Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.

Intro: In our text we see a good example of God’s purposes realized. God had spoken regarding Jacob and God’s Word was fulfilled.

It is interesting to note that Rebekah could match the culinary skill of her son Esau. The love that Issac had for Esau was not just because of the venison he could hunt and prepare. Issac played favorites. You never have it recorded that Issac spoke to Jacob up until this time. We know he must have but it is significant what God leaves out.

It seems that Rebekah had an almost superstitious trust in these words of blessing. Whether Issac laid his hand on Jacob or Esau to pronounce a blessing would not have foiled God’s eternal plan. Puny man will not thwart the determinate councils of the Almighty God. Our words do not carry any power to determine reality. Only the Word of God determines that.

*ILL Girl who said "that kills me" and then rebuked herself fearing that her words had creative force to bring it to pass.

There is another possibility as to Rebekah’s motives. It is clear from the Scripture that their plan was bound to be discovered within a few hours of its execution. The Bible declares that is exactly what took place. Perhaps she was trying to reveal Issac’s sin.

Issac had made plans and taken steps to bless Esau. This was in direct violation to the revealed will of God. Rebekah knew this and, I believe, the reason she did this was to bring Issac to see the enormity of his error. Rebekah worked it out so that Issac would bless Jacob in spite of his plans. This would serve as a rebuke and a wake up call!

*ILL There are some things who don’t need to pray about! God has spoken in His Word. There are also times that a husband ought to listen to his wife.

From the Biblical account it is clear that Rebekah was a woman of quick decision and action. Even in her decision to follow Abraham’s servant and marry Issac.

Imagine the tension and the speed they had to work&ldots;(expand)

Along with all these preparations, in v.15, Esau’s "goodly raiment" was taken and put on Jacob. It is possible that these were priestly garments associated with his patriarchal position as the first born. The first born traditionally became the head of the family and was responsible for offering sacrifices. Cf. Job 1:5, And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

In this portion of Scripture we encounter another danger. Living the Christian life by the senses.

Touch: hairy arms and neck.

Smell: of the field.

Taste: savory meat.

Sight: blind so Issac relied on other senses.

Hearing: was a problem but there was enough deception to complete the scheme.

"We walk by faith and not by sight."

Hebrews 5:14, But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (It is the Bible that, by diligent use, will give discernment to the senses.)

*ILL Hindu told me it feels good. That does not make it true.

There is a fact that needs to be brought forward:

YOU CAN NEVER STOP AT ONE LIE.

Jacob lied about who he was, how he got the food and brought God’s name into the lie, thus using the Lord’s name in vain.

God never rebukes Rebekah or Jacob for their lies and deception. This does not excuse their sin but the result of the inheritance and responsibilities being passed on to Esau would have proved disastrous. The best way to handle it would have been to approach Issac with the Word of God on the matter:

Genesis 25:23, And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

Exodus 1:15-20, gives an example of disobeying authority: 15 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: 16 And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. 18 And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? 19 And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. 20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.

Rahab also disobeyed those in authority in the city of Jericho.

Here are two commandments that teach we ought to obey those in authority:

Romans 13:2, Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

1 Peter 2:13, Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

BUT

Acts 5:29, Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Notice how Issac was in direct contradiction of God’s will and Word!

29 Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.

Cf. "the elder shall serve the younger." Gen. 25:23

God’s purposes are always fulfilled however.

For example, God forced Balaam to bless Israel against his will:

Numbers 23:8-10, How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied? 9 For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. 10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!

Numbers 23:11-12, 11 And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether. 12 And he answered and said, Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?

In the short term Balaam accomplished his will:

Revelation 2:14, But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Look also at:

John 11:49-52, 49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

What they thought for evil God turned around to provide salvation for "whosoever will"