Summary of Genesis Chapter 27

Genesis Chapter 27 recounts the story of Isaac’s blessing of his sons, Jacob and Esau, and the deception that leads to Jacob receiving the blessing intended for Esau. This chapter highlights themes of family conflict, deception, and the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Isaac’s Old Age:

As Isaac grows old and his eyesight dims, he calls for his elder son Esau and tells him to hunt for game and prepare a meal for him. Isaac intends to bless Esau before he dies (Genesis 27:1-4).

Rebekah’s Plan:

Rebekah, overhearing Isaac’s conversation with Esau, devises a plan to ensure that Jacob receives the blessing instead. She instructs Jacob to bring her two young goats so she can prepare a meal that Isaac loves (Genesis 27:5-10).

Jacob’s Deception:

Jacob expresses concern about deceiving his father and the potential consequences, as he is smooth-skinned while Esau is hairy. Rebekah reassures him and dresses Jacob in Esau’s clothes, covering his hands and neck with the goatskins to mimic Esau’s hairiness (Genesis 27:11-16).

Receiving the Blessing:

Jacob approaches Isaac, pretending to be Esau. Isaac is initially suspicious but is convinced by Jacob’s voice and the feel of the goatskins. He eats the meal prepared by Rebekah and then blesses Jacob, thinking he is blessing Esau (Genesis 27:17-29).

The blessing includes promises of prosperity, dominance over nations, and the subjugation of his brothers, which is significant in the context of the family dynamics.

Esau’s Return:

After Jacob leaves, Esau returns from hunting and prepares a meal for Isaac. When he presents it to his father, Isaac realizes he has been deceived and that Jacob has taken the blessing meant for Esau (Genesis 27:30-33).

Esau is devastated and pleads for a blessing, but Isaac explains that he has already given the primary blessing to Jacob. Esau receives a secondary blessing, which indicates that he will live by the sword and serve his brother, but he will eventually break free (Genesis 27:34-40).

Esau’s Anger and Rebekah’s Concern:

Esau harbors a deep resentment toward Jacob for stealing his blessing and vows to kill him after their father’s death. Rebekah learns of Esau’s plan and advises Jacob to flee to her brother Laban in Haran until Esau’s anger subsides (Genesis 27:41-45).

Isaac’s Command to Jacob:

Before Jacob leaves, Isaac calls him and reaffirms the blessing, instructing him not to marry a Canaanite woman but to go to the house of his mother’s brother, Laban, to find a wife (Genesis 27:46-28:1).

Key Themes

• Deception and Consequences: The chapter illustrates the consequences of deception within the family. Rebekah and Jacob’s actions lead to significant conflict and estrangement between the brothers.
• Divine Sovereignty: Despite the deception, God’s plan for Jacob to inherit the blessing is fulfilled, highlighting the theme of divine sovereignty in the unfolding of His promises.
• Family Dynamics: The rivalry between Jacob and Esau, along with the favoritism shown by Isaac and Rebekah, underscores the complexities of family relationships and the impact of personal choices.
• Blessing and Identity: The importance of the blessing in the cultural context reflects the significance of identity and inheritance in the biblical narrative.

Genesis Chapter 27 is a critical moment in the story of Jacob and Esau, setting the stage for future events in their lives and the continuation of God’s covenant with Abraham’s descendants.