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1. That parents ought to bless their children; too many do curse, and not bless them.

2. Children ought to fear the causeful curses of their parents. The better son feared the curse of his father (ver. 12).

3. Parents ought rather to gather a stock of Divine promises, that they may bless their children more out of faith than out of form, praying for them out of a promise, as Isaac did then for his son Jacob, praying that the blessing of Abraham might come upon him (Genesis 28:4).

4. A wishing our children's weal customarily without a praying for them believingly, is neither enough for parents, nor is it all (or at all) that is warranted by Isaac's blessing Jacob here. There is much difference between a formal wish and a faithful prayer for their good.

5. Spiritual blessings must be sought and sued for in their proper season. Here Esau came too late for the blessing, which was bestowed before he lost the right season (which is a part of time above all other parts, even the shine and lustre of time), so could not obtain it, no, not with tears (Hebrews 12:16-17).

(C. Ness.)

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KJV: 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.

WEB: He said, "Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless you." He brought it near to him, and he ate. He brought him wine, and he drank.