Genesis 27:11
But Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Behold, my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jacob's objection isn't about the morality of the act, but the practicality of its execution. He fears detection and the resulting curse, revealing a concern for consequences rather than an inherent sense of right and wrong in his actions.
Rebekah, overhearing her husband Isaac intending to bless his favored son Esau, devises a plan to deceive Isaac and secure the blessing for her favorite, Jacob. Jacob expresses his concern to his mother about the deception, fearing discovery and the resulting curse rather than the blessing itself. Rebekah, however, reassures him, taking the curse upon herself and urging him to proceed with the plan to impersonate Esau.
Jacob's first reaction to his mother's plan wasn't moral outrage, but a very practical concern. What does this tell us about his heart at this stage?
Jacob's words to Rebekah reveal a young man more worried about getting caught than about the righteousness of the act itself.
Fear of Consequences
Jacob's immediate thought is about being discovered. He knows Esau's physical characteristics are distinct, and that if Isaac touches him, the deception will be obvious. His fear is that this exposure will lead to being perceived as a 'deceiver' and bring a curse upon himself (Genesis 27:11-12).
Not Yet a Master Deceiver
Commentators note that Jacob, while willing to go along with the plan, isn't yet the seasoned deceiver he would become. His anxiety suggests a lingering awareness of wrongdoing, but his primary motivation isn't a deep moral conviction against lying, but rather the fear of the negative repercussions if his lie fails.
The Role of Faith (or Lack Thereof)
This moment highlights a crucial point: Jacob is acting on his mother's plan, not a direct command from God. While he might have believed God's promise that he would be the heir, his method of securing it reveals a lack of full trust in God's timing and means. He's trying to force God's hand through human cunning.
Rebekah overhears Isaac's plan and immediately orchestrates a deception. What drives her, and how does her faith get tangled with sin?
Rebekah's actions are a complex mix of strong faith and deeply flawed methods. She is driven by a conviction about God's will, but employs deceit to achieve it.
Rooted in Divine Promise
Rebekah clearly believed the prophetic word spoken before the twins' birth: 'The older will serve the younger' (Genesis 25:23). She saw Isaac's intention to bless Esau as a deviation from God's decree, and felt compelled to intervene. Her faith in this divine election is unwavering.
This verse highlights Jacob's fear of being discovered in his deception, not his moral objection to lying. The intense familial and spiritual stakes surrounding Isaac's patriarchal blessing, destined for Jacob but nearly given to Esau, create a high-tension moment where physical differences become a critical point of contention.
c. 1800 BC
Abraham passes on divine promises
God promises Abraham that his descendants will be a great nation and a blessing to the world, establishing a covenant with him. This promise is intended to pass through Abraham's son Isaac.
c. 1750 BC
Isaac promises blessing to Esau
Isaac, old and nearly blind, intends to give the patriarchal blessing, which includes the divine promises, to his favorite son Esau, despite a prior divine indication that the younger son Jacob would be greater.
c. 1750 BC
Rebekah overhears Isaac's plan
Rebekah overhears Isaac's conversation with Esau and realizes Isaac intends to bless Esau, contrary to God's earlier pronouncement about Jacob.
c. 1750 BC— this verse
Rebekah devises a plan
Rebekah acts quickly, instructing Jacob on how to impersonate Esau to receive the blessing from Isaac, using the skins of young goats to mimic Esau's hairy body.
This passage speaks about how God's promises were made to Abraham and his offspring, highlighting a divine plan that transcends natural lineage, much like the transfer of blessing from Esau to Jacob.
Romans 9:13Quoting Malachi, this verse directly addresses the theme of God choosing Jacob over Esau before their birth, underscoring that divine election is not based on human merit or natural order, as seen in this narrative.
Hebrews 12:16-17This passage uses Esau as a cautionary example of someone who profaned his spiritual birthright for a momentary physical desire, which directly parallels Esau's later regret and desperation for a blessing he had already forfeited.
2 Corinthians 5:20Paul's call to be 'ambassadors for Christ' in this verse resonates with Jacob and Rebekah's actions, as they sought to fulfill what they believed to be God's plan, though their methods were flawed and involved deception.
calvinGenesis 27:1-46: "And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I."
And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it
Ribca autem audiebat, dum loqueretur Ishac ad Esau filium suum: et perrexit Esau in agrum, ut venaretur venationem, ut afferret.
And Rebekah spake unto Jacob h…
pulpitGenesis 27:11: "And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:"
Verse 11. - And Jacob (who was not yet such an adept at trickery as he afterwards became, and who, if he had no scruples of conscience in either imposing on a senile parent or despoiling an open-hearted brother, was yet averse to being detected in his frauds, as deceivers usually are) said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man (vide Genesis 25:25) and I a…
Jacob's objection isn't about the morality of the act, but the practicality of its execution. He fears detection and the resulting curse, revealing a concern for consequences rather than an inherent sense of right and wrong in his actions.
Rebekah, overhearing her husband Isaac intending to bless his favored son Esau, devises a plan to deceive Isaac and secure the blessing for her favorite, Jacob. Jacob expresses his concern to his mother about the deception, fearing discovery and the resulting curse rather than the blessing itself. Rebekah, however, reassures him, taking the curse upon herself and urging him to proceed with the plan to impersonate Esau.
Rebekah, overhearing her husband Isaac intending to bless his favored son Esau, devises a plan to deceive Isaac and secure the blessing for her favorite, Jacob. Jacob expresses his concern to his mother about the deception, fearing discovery and the resulting curse rather than the blessing itself. Rebekah, however, reassures him, taking the curse upon herself and urging him to proceed with the plan to impersonate Esau.
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The Danger of 'Helping' God
However, Rebekah's faith leads her to actively participate in and even initiate a lie. She takes the 'curse' upon herself ('Upon me be thy curse, my son') to ensure Jacob receives the blessing (Genesis 27:13). This highlights the danger of trying to force God's hand or 'help' His plan through dishonest means. True faith trusts God to fulfill His promises in His way.
A Costly Strategy
Her scheme involves deception, manipulating her husband, and putting Jacob in danger. While her ultimate goal aligns with God's declared purpose, her methods are morally compromised, leading to family strife and Jacob's subsequent exile.
Isaac, blind and frail, attempts to bless his sons. Despite his limitations and manipulations, the intended blessing is ultimately fulfilled. How?
Isaac's dim-sightedness and being deceived are not accidents but part of God's sovereign plan to ensure His promises are kept, not through human effort, but divine decree.
God Works Through Imperfect Instruments
Isaac's physical blindness mirrors a spiritual blindness; he intended to bless Esau, contrary to God's pre-ordained plan. However, God ensured that through Isaac's deception-driven actions (touching Jacob, hearing his voice), the intended blessing for the heir was still pronounced.
The Immutability of God's Word
Despite Isaac's error and Rebekah's deceit, the divine promise concerning Jacob's inheritance stood firm. When Isaac realized his mistake, he trembled but ultimately declared, 'I have blessed him; yea, and he shall be blessed' (Genesis 27:33). This shows that God's election and promises are not contingent on human perfection or accurate perception.
Blessing Transcends Intention
While Isaac's intention was to bless Esau, the effect of his words, guided by God's sovereign hand, was to confirm the blessing upon Jacob. The blessing was not merely a father's wish, but a prophetic declaration tied to God's covenant, which God ensured would land on the rightful recipient.
c. 1750 BC
Jacob deceives Isaac
Jacob, disguised as Esau, approaches his father Isaac and receives the patriarchal blessing. Jacob's physical differences from Esau are noted but ultimately overcome by the deception.
c. 1750 BC
Esau discovers the deception
Esau returns from hunting and learns that Jacob has already received the blessing intended for him. He cries out in bitter despair and anger, vowing revenge.
c. 1750 BC
Jacob flees to Haran
Fearing Esau's wrath, Rebekah sends Jacob away to her brother Laban in Haran. Jacob's deception leads to his exile and a long period of separation from his family.
"But Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Behold, my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man." — Jacob's objection isn't about the morality of the act, but the practicality of its execution. He fears detection and the resulting curse, revealing a concern for consequences rather than an inherent…
