Genesis 27:43
Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban my brother in Haran
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Rebekah’s instruction to flee isn't just about escaping Esau's anger; it’s a desperate attempt to secure the blessing she believes was divinely promised to Jacob, even if it means prolonged separation from her son. She is taking full responsibility for the deception, echoing her earlier vow to bear the curse herself (Genesis 27:13).
Esau, furious about Jacob stealing his blessing, plots to kill him. To protect Jacob and keep him safe until Esau's anger subsides, Rebekah urges Jacob to flee to her brother Laban in Haran, a distant city. This escape is meant to be temporary, until Jacob can safely return home.
Rebekah's words aren't just a hurried command; they're a carefully considered plan born from fear and faith. She takes full responsibility, a testament to her desperate love and strategic mind.
Rebekah's instruction to Jacob, "Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother in Haran," is more than a mother's plea. It's a direct consequence of her earlier promise to Jacob: "Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice" (Genesis 27:13). She's stepping into the breach, fully aware of the danger Jacob is in due to Esau's rage. Her urgency highlights the severe consequences of their deception and her determination to protect her favored son, even if it means sending him into exile.
Jacob's flight isn't just about escaping Esau's anger; it's a divinely orchestrated step that sets him on the path to fulfilling God's promises.
Rebekah advises Jacob to flee "until thy brother's fury turn away" (Genesis 27:44). This exile, though born out of deception and fear, serves a crucial purpose in God's larger plan. Jacob's time with Laban, his eventual marriage, and the birth of his twelve sons—the patriarchs of Israel—all stem from this forced departure. It's a stark reminder that even through human flaws and difficult circumstances, God works to achieve His redemptive purposes, often requiring a period of separation and growth.
Jacob's flight to Haran wasn't just about escaping Esau's wrath; it was a divinely orchestrated move that sent him to the land of his ancestors' origins, setting the stage for the continuation of God's promises through his lineage, separate from Esau's path.
c. 1800 BC
Abraham's Covenant and Promises
God makes a covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants and land, establishing a lineage that would be a blessing to all nations. This promise is passed down through Isaac.
c. 1780 BC— this verse
Isaac's Blessing to Jacob
Through deception orchestrated by Rebekah, Jacob receives the patriarchal blessing intended for the firstborn, which includes spiritual and material promises from God.
c. 1780 BC
Esau's Vow of Revenge
Upon discovering Jacob has taken his blessing, Esau becomes filled with hatred and vows to kill his brother, Jacob.
c. 1780 BC
Rebekah's Counsel to Flee
Fearing for Jacob's life, Rebekah instructs him to flee to her brother Laban in Haran and stay with him until Esau's anger subsides.
The command for Jacob to 'flee' echoes Abram's earlier command to 'flee' from his country, highlighting a pattern of God calling individuals to leave their familiar surroundings for a greater purpose.
Exodus 22:14This verse describes a situation where a borrowed animal is injured or dies, and the borrower must repay it, which is conceptually related to Jacob needing to go to his uncle Laban and stay there, suggesting a period of work or obligation.
1 Samuel 20:6David's request to go and offer sacrifice is a cover for him to flee from Saul's anger, similar to Rebekah's strategy in sending Jacob away to avoid Esau's wrath.
Proverbs 28:1This proverb states that the wicked flee though no one pursues them, which contrasts with Jacob's flight prompted by a real threat from Esau, showing the difference between fear of consequence and righteous action.
gillGenesis 27:43: "Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;"
Now therefore, my son, obey my voice,.... Hearken to what I say, and do according to it, as he had already in many instances, and particularly in a late one, in which he succeeded, and therefore had good reason to attend to her advice and direction, see Genesis 27:13 , and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother, to Haran; where Laban her brother, dwelt.
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…
Rebekah’s instruction to flee isn't just about escaping Esau's anger; it’s a desperate attempt to secure the blessing she believes was divinely promised to Jacob, even if it means prolonged separation from her son. She is taking full responsibility for the deception, echoing her earlier vow to bear the curse herself (Genesis 27:13).
Esau, furious about Jacob stealing his blessing, plots to kill him. To protect Jacob and keep him safe until Esau's anger subsides, Rebekah urges Jacob to flee to her brother Laban in Haran, a distant city. This escape is meant to be temporary, until Jacob can safely return home.
Esau, furious about Jacob stealing his blessing, plots to kill him. To protect Jacob and keep him safe until Esau's anger subsides, Rebekah urges Jacob to flee to her brother Laban in Haran, a distant city. This escape is meant to be temporary, until Jacob can safely return home.
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c. 1780 BC
Jacob's Exile to Haran
Jacob departs from his home, beginning a long period of exile in Haran, where he will work for Laban and eventually marry.
"Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban my brother in Haran" — Rebekah’s instruction to flee isn't just about escaping Esau's anger; it’s a desperate attempt to secure the blessing she believes was divinely promised to Jacob, even if it means prolonged separatio…
