Village Schools of the Bible

Genesis: A Devotional Study
by Max Frazier, Jr

Let's turn the focus of our attention this week to the life of Jacob. Of all the men and women in the Bible that God chose to use, I believe Jacob probably was among the most questionable. In fact, Jacob does not even begin with a relationship with God. He pretty much lives for himself. Yet, the more I read and teach the life of Jacob, the more I see within his life, the story of a journey toward God. So, let's spend the next few weeks looking at how God changed Jacob - the deceiver - into Israel - the one who strives with God.

Genesis 27

Key Words: "blessings"; "blessed"; "bless"

Key Verse: Verse 35 accurately describes Jacob's actions as being deceitful; and yet we know God was in it.

Purpose Statement: This chapter completes the shift of God's hand from that of the firstborn (Esau), the normal recipient, to Jacob. Both the birthright and the blessing were obtained deceitfully.

Outline: Jacob Steals the Blessing

I. Jacob steals the blessing belonging to Easu (vs. 1-29)
A. Isaac's request of Esau (vs. 1-4)
B. Rebekah's plan for Jacob (vs. 5-13)
C. Rebekah carries out her plan (vs. 14-17)
D. Jacob before Isaac (vs. 18-29)
II. Esau's response (vs. 30-41)
A. Esau appears before Isaac (vs. 30-32)
B. Esau becomes aware of what happened (vs 33-38)
C. Isaac's blessing on Esau (vs. 39-40)
D. Esau's plot against Jacob (vs. 41)
III. Jacob's plans to flee (vs. 42-46)
A. Rebekah's plan (vs. 42-45)
B. Rebekah's reasoning (vs. 46)

Questions to Probe: Why did God bless Jacob for this act of deceit?

Thoughts to Ponder: None of us know the day of our death (verse 2). Indeed Rebekah did place a curse upon herself as she further alienated herself from her oldest son and she would eventually lose her youngest son. Again, we see the awful wages of sin.

With a brother like Jacob one certainly would need no other enemies. I would imagine that he and his brother Esau were always at odds with each other. And in the heat of the argument Jacob would always remind Esau that the rights of the firstborn belonged now to him. The only thing Esau had left was the blessing of his father, a blessing that passed from father to the oldest son. Esau did not willingly give this away as he had his birthright. He lost it by trickery and deceit. I do believe it was God's plan for Jacob to receive his father's blessing. But it was not God's plan for it to be obtained by deceit. Jacob had much to learn before God could change his name to Israel. Oh the penalty of a shattered relationship with his brother. Oh the consequences of sin. They are great indeed.

As an earthly father, Isaac had only one blessing to give (verse 38). His resources were limited. But our heavenly Father has blessed us with infinite blessings, yes, with all the spiritual blessings found in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3). All Esau received were the leftovers from Isaac. Praise God there are no leftovers with Him. His blessings are new each and every day. Great is God's faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Study Notes: Had Rebekah never communicated to Isaac the words the angels had told her about her two sons even before they were born? It certainly appears evident that Isaac had no knowledge of it. I think communication certainly was a problem in this family.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: When planning for a year, plant corn. When planning for a decade, plant trees. When planning for life, train and educate people. (Chinese Proverb)

Genesis 26 Return to Table of Contents Genesis 28