Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau, your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may bless me." Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau, your firstborn.This statement marks a pivotal moment of deception in the biblical narrative. Jacob, whose name means "supplanter" or "deceiver," is fulfilling the prophecy given to Rebekah in Genesis 25:23 that the older would serve the younger. The cultural significance of the firstborn in ancient Near Eastern societies was profound, as the firstborn son typically received a double portion of the inheritance and the father's blessing, which was both a spiritual and material endowment. This act of deception foreshadows the later struggles between the descendants of Jacob (Israel) and Esau (Edom). I have done as you told me.
Jacob's claim here is a direct lie, as it was Rebekah who orchestrated the plan to deceive Isaac, and Jacob is complicit in carrying it out. This reflects the theme of human manipulation versus divine sovereignty, as God's purposes are ultimately fulfilled despite human deceit. The phrase also highlights the importance of obedience in the biblical narrative, albeit here it is falsely claimed. Please sit up and eat some of my game,
The request for Isaac to sit up and eat is significant in the context of the blessing ceremony. In ancient times, meals often accompanied significant covenantal or familial events. The act of eating together was a sign of fellowship and agreement. The reference to "game" is ironic, as the meat was actually from the flock, not wild game, further emphasizing the deception. so that you may bless me.”
The blessing Jacob seeks is not merely a paternal wish but a prophetic pronouncement that would shape the future of nations. In the biblical context, blessings were considered irrevocable and carried divine authority. This blessing was intended for Esau, but Jacob's acquisition of it aligns with God's sovereign plan as revealed earlier to Rebekah. The blessing itself is a type of Christ, as it points to the ultimate blessing and inheritance found in Jesus, the firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15). Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe younger son of Isaac and Rebekah, who deceives his father to receive the blessing meant for his brother Esau. 2. EsauThe elder twin brother of Jacob, known for being a skillful hunter and the rightful recipient of Isaac's blessing. 3. IsaacThe father of Jacob and Esau, who is old and blind, and intends to bless Esau. 4. RebekahThe mother of Jacob and Esau, who orchestrates the deception to ensure Jacob receives the blessing. 5. The BlessingA significant event where Isaac intends to bestow a prophetic and patriarchal blessing upon his firstborn, Esau. Teaching Points The Consequences of DeceptionJacob's deceitful actions, though successful in the short term, lead to long-term family strife and personal challenges. This teaches the importance of integrity and the potential fallout from deceit. God's Sovereignty and Human ActionsDespite human manipulation, God's sovereign plan unfolds. This encourages believers to trust in God's ultimate control over circumstances, even when human actions seem to complicate matters. The Value of Spiritual BlessingsThe account underscores the importance of spiritual blessings and birthrights, urging believers to prioritize spiritual inheritance over temporary, worldly gains. Parental Influence and ResponsibilityRebekah's role in the deception highlights the significant influence parents have on their children's actions and the importance of guiding them in truth and righteousness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jacob's deception in Genesis 27:19 reflect on his character, and what can we learn about the importance of honesty in our own lives? 2. In what ways does the prophecy given to Rebekah in Genesis 25:23 influence the events of Genesis 27, and how does this demonstrate God's sovereignty? 3. How can the account of Jacob and Esau help us understand the value of spiritual blessings in comparison to material possessions? 4. What lessons can we learn from Rebekah's involvement in Jacob's deception regarding the influence of parental guidance? 5. How does the New Testament's reference to Jacob and Esau in Romans 9:10-13 and Hebrews 12:16-17 deepen our understanding of God's grace and human responsibility? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 25:23This verse provides context for the prophecy given to Rebekah that the older will serve the younger, setting the stage for Jacob's actions. Hebrews 12:16-17This passage warns against godlessness like Esau, who sold his birthright, highlighting the spiritual implications of the events in Genesis 27. Romans 9:10-13Paul references Jacob and Esau to illustrate God's sovereign choice, emphasizing divine election over human merit. People Esau, Haran, Heth, Isaac, Jacob, Laban, RebekahPlaces Beersheba, HaranTopics Arise, Badest, Bless, Blessing, Born, Eat, Esau, Firstborn, First-born, Game, Hast, Jacob, Meat, Oldest, Order, Please, Provision, Rise, Seated, Sit, Soul, Spoken, VenisonDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 27:19 5503 rich, the
5688 firstborn
5704 inheritance, material
6146 deceit, and God Genesis 27:1-25 4438 eating Genesis 27:1-29 5095 Jacob, life Genesis 27:3-19 5268 cooking Genesis 27:5-19 5920 pretence Genesis 27:6-29 8716 dishonesty, examples Genesis 27:18-19 8776 lies Genesis 27:19-24 7944 ministry, qualifications Library There is a Great Question About Lying, which Often Arises in the Midst Of...
1. There is a great question about Lying, which often arises in the midst of our every day business, and gives us much trouble, that we may not either rashly call that a lie which is not such, or decide that it is sometimes right to tell a lie, that is, a kind of honest, well-meant, charitable lie. This question we will painfully discuss by seeking with them that seek: whether to any good purpose, we need not take upon ourselves to affirm, for the attentive reader will sufficiently gather from the …
St. Augustine—On LyingEpistle Lii. To Natalis, Bishop .
To Natalis, Bishop [1463] . Gregory to Natalis, Bishop of Salona. As though forgetting the tenour of former letters, I had determined to say nothing to your Blessedness but what should savour of sweetness: but, now that in your epistle you have recurred in the way of argumentation to preceding letters, I am once more compelled to say perhaps some things that I had rather not have said. For in defence of feasts your Fraternity mentions the feast of Abraham, in which by the testimony of Holy Scripture …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Letter xxxv. From Pope Damasus.
Damasus addresses five questions to Jerome with a request for information concerning them. They are: 1. What is the meaning of the words "Whosoever slayeth Cain vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold"? (Gen. iv. 5.) 2. If God has made all things good, how comes it that He gives charge to Noah concerning unclean animals, and says to Peter, "What God hath cleansed that call not thou common"? (Acts x. 15.) 3. How is Gen. xv. 16, "in the fourth generation they shall come hither again," to be reconciled …
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome Touching Jacob, However, that which He did at his Mother's Bidding...
24. Touching Jacob, however, that which he did at his mother's bidding, so as to seem to deceive his father, if with diligence and in faith it be attended to, is no lie, but a mystery. The which if we shall call lies, all parables also, and figures designed for the signifying of any things soever, which are not to be taken according to their proper meaning, but in them is one thing to be understood from another, shall be said to be lies: which be far from us altogether. For he who thinks this, may …
St. Augustine—Against Lying Conflict.
"Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against themselves, that ye …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews First Withdrawal from Herod's Territory and Return.
(Spring, a.d. 29.) Subdivision C. The Twelve Try to Row Back. Jesus Walks Upon the Water. ^A Matt. XIV. 22-36; ^B Mark VI. 45-56; ^D John VI. 15-21. ^d 15 Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain himself alone. [Jesus had descended to the plain to feed the multitude, but, perceiving this mistaken desire of the people, he frustrated it by dismissing his disciples and retiring by himself into the mountain.] ^a …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 27:19 NIVGenesis 27:19 NLTGenesis 27:19 ESVGenesis 27:19 NASBGenesis 27:19 KJV
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