Genesis 27

God's Word wins despite man's opposition. We ultimately do not have the power to overrule God. He makes even the wrath of His enemies to praise Him. Yet those whom God has determined to bless may still be convinced that they will only receive what they desire through their own schemes. Even these strange plots of man will somehow fit into the great decrees of the Almighty.

God revealed to Rebekah before Esau and Jacob were born that the older would serve the younger. But how would this come about? Would Jacob have to buy the birthright from his brother at a moment when Esau was famished? How would the blessing of Isaac come upon Jacob? Would it be necessary to deceive his elderly father into thinking that he was his brother, the favored older son?

Isaac's intent, as his life comes to a close, is to pronounce the covenant blessing upon his son Esau. Was he unaware of the Word of the Lord given to Rebekah before the two boys were born? Rebekah hears of Isaac's plan, and moves quickly into action with an effort to lie to her husband so that Jacob will receive what God has promised.

Jacob is concerned that his mother's idea will not work; that he will be found out by his father, even though his father is nearly blind at this point in his life. Rebekah says something shocking in response to Jacob's concern: “Let your curse be on me, my son.” Could it be that she knows that she is working in accord with the purpose of God on this matter; that her husband's favoritism toward Esau is misplaced, and that her determination to protect the interests of Jacob is well-founded?

Rebekah's plan does work perfectly. Though Jacob is questioned by his father, he plays the part of Esau well enough to receive this astounding blessing from Isaac: “God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine.” Jacob will have the bounty of fertile land together with the Lord's heavenly blessing. “Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother's sons bow down to you.” Jacob will have the preeminence over his older brother Esau. “Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!” The words of covenant blessing for the child of the promise have now come to Jacob. God spoke these words to Abraham, and in the next generation He spoke them to Isaac. Now Isaac has bequeathed them to the one whom God chose before the birth of these twins. The descendants of Jacob would be the people of the promise. The Messiah would come through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and not through Abraham, Isaac, and Esau. This happened through the words of Isaac, and yet it was in spite of the will of the man who uttered those words.

The deception was barely accomplished before it was discovered. Yet when Isaac and Esau found out the truth, Isaac did not move to change his words. Did he suddenly awake to the reality of this Word from the Lord that came again as a result of these bizarre events? He says, speaking of Jacob to a distraught Esau, “Yes, and he shall be blessed.”

What was left for the older brother now? Isaac finally has words for him, but they are far from the bounty of the message he mistakenly bestowed upon his younger son. “Behold, away from the fatness of the earth shall your dwelling be.” Esau will live in a place that will not be bountiful in produce. “... Away from the dew of heaven on high.” Is there more here that will be lacking than the condensation from the skies? Is there something missing in heaven's blessings for the Edomites as compared with the Israelites? “... By your sword you shall live.” Esau can count on providing for his needs only through the use of force. “... And you shall serve your brother.” Just as had been spoken to Rebekah so many years before, the older boy would serve the younger. “... But when you grow restless you shall break his yoke from your neck.” This is a word for generations to come as the Edomites will have times when they are able to gain some measure of liberty from their servitude.

How would Esau react to these words? Had he also known of the word of God to his mother Rebekah? Would he be able to humbly take his appointed position as one who would accept his divinely appointed place beneath Jacob and Jacob's descendants? We immediately learn of Esau's fierce hatred. His only comfort is the thought of killing Jacob. Rebekah knows this, and she again takes steps that will protect the interests of her son more than she could have realized at the time.

Jacob will go to Laban. Before he returns he will have a large family and many blessings. The words of Isaac will be fulfilled. Jacob will be blessed. The determination of his mother will direct his steps, and the decrees of God will be fully accomplished.

Esau will fold into the people all around him among the Hittites. Jacob will take more wives than he wanted from the Arameans that are in the old country out of which Abraham had originally journeyed. It will be from Jacob that the Voice of God will come in person, that unstoppable Voice that can shake the cedars of Lebanon. This same Voice had blessed Abraham, sending him out of his father's land. That Voice had spoken blessing to Isaac, and now through Isaac, and in spite of Isaac, that Voice had revealed the bounty of the Lord toward the chosen seed of the first woman, Eve. Jesus is the Voice that will not be stopped. No power among men can prevent the accomplishment of His eternal and sovereign will. This Voice speaks peace to us this day, through the Word of the cross and the preaching of the resurrection.