Then Isaac said to Jacob, "Please come closer so I can touch you, my son. Are you really my son Esau, or not?" Then Isaac said to Jacob,Isaac, the son of Abraham and father of Esau and Jacob, is a patriarch in the biblical narrative. At this point in Genesis, Isaac is old and his eyesight is failing. This moment is pivotal as it sets the stage for the blessing of Jacob, which was intended for Esau. Isaac's role as a father and patriarch is significant, as he is responsible for passing on the Abrahamic blessing. “Please come closer so I can touch you, my son.
Isaac's request for Jacob to come closer highlights his blindness and vulnerability. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, the blessing of a father was a formal and significant event, often involving physical touch. This act of touching was a way to confirm identity, especially since Isaac could not rely on his sight. The physical touch also symbolizes the transfer of blessing and authority. Are you really my son Esau,
Isaac's question reveals his doubt and suspicion. Despite Jacob's attempts to disguise himself as Esau, Isaac senses something is amiss. This moment underscores the theme of deception that runs throughout the narrative. The question also reflects the importance of the firstborn's rights and the cultural expectation that Esau, as the firstborn, would receive the primary blessing. or not?”
The uncertainty in Isaac's question points to the tension and drama of the scene. It foreshadows the eventual revelation of Jacob's deception. This moment is critical in the broader biblical narrative, as it leads to the fulfillment of God's prophecy to Rebekah that "the older will serve the younger" (Genesis 25:23). It also prefigures the concept of the chosen one not being the firstborn, a theme seen in the lives of other biblical figures such as David and Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the "firstborn" in a spiritual sense, not by birth order. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaacThe son of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac is the father of Esau and Jacob. In this passage, he is old and visually impaired, relying on his other senses to discern the identity of his son. 2. JacobThe younger son of Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob is attempting to deceive his father into giving him the blessing meant for his brother Esau. 3. EsauThe elder twin brother of Jacob, known for his hunting skills and favored by Isaac. He is the rightful recipient of the blessing Jacob seeks to obtain through deception. 4. RebekahThe wife of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob. She orchestrates the plan for Jacob to deceive Isaac and receive the blessing. 5. The BlessingA significant event in the patriarchal family, the blessing is a prophetic pronouncement of prosperity and leadership, traditionally given to the firstborn son. Teaching Points The Deceptive Nature of SinJacob's deception of Isaac highlights how sin can lead us to manipulate and deceive others to achieve our desires. Believers are called to live in truth and integrity. The Sovereignty of GodDespite human deception, God's purposes are fulfilled. This teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to work through imperfect situations. The Importance of DiscernmentIsaac's reliance on his senses rather than seeking God's guidance serves as a reminder to seek divine wisdom and discernment in our decisions. Family Dynamics and FavoritismThe favoritism shown by Isaac and Rebekah towards their sons leads to conflict and deception. This warns against partiality and encourages fairness and love in family relationships. The Consequences of DeceptionJacob's actions have long-term consequences, affecting his relationship with Esau and leading to years of estrangement. This underscores the importance of honesty and the potential fallout of deceit. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the account of Jacob and Esau challenge us to examine our own motives and actions in seeking God's blessings? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we are seeking God's guidance and discernment in our decisions, rather than relying solely on our senses or understanding? 3. How does the theme of God's sovereignty in this passage encourage us to trust Him in situations where human actions seem to complicate His plans? 4. What lessons can we learn from the family dynamics in Isaac's household, and how can we apply these lessons to promote harmony and fairness in our own families? 5. Reflect on a time when deception led to unintended consequences in your life. How can you apply the lessons from Jacob's account to seek reconciliation and truth in your relationships? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 25:23This verse provides context for the struggle between Esau and Jacob, as God reveals to Rebekah that the older will serve the younger, foreshadowing the events of Genesis 27. Hebrews 11:20This verse highlights the faith of Isaac in blessing Jacob and Esau concerning things to come, emphasizing the importance of the blessing. Romans 9:10-13Paul references the account of Jacob and Esau to illustrate God's sovereign choice, showing that God's purposes prevail despite human actions. People Esau, Haran, Heth, Isaac, Jacob, Laban, RebekahPlaces Beersheba, HaranTopics Close, Esau, Feel, Isaac, Jacob, Nigh, Please, Really, Touch, Truly, WhetherDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 27:1-25 4438 eating Genesis 27:1-29 5095 Jacob, life Genesis 27:6-29 8716 dishonesty, examples 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 27:21 NIVGenesis 27:21 NLTGenesis 27:21 ESVGenesis 27:21 NASBGenesis 27:21 KJV
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