Genesis 27:13 Komentář

In this chapter we return to the typical story of the struggle between Esau and Jacob. Esau had profanely sold the birthright to Jacob; but Esau hopes he shall be never the poorer, nor Jacob the richer, for that bargain, while he preserves his interest in his father's affections, and so secures the blessing. Here therefore we find how he was justly punished for his contempt of the birthright (of which he foolishly deprived himself) with the loss of the blessing, of which Jacob fraudulently deprives him. Thus this story is explained, Heb 12:16, Heb 12:17, "Because he sold the birthright, when he would have inherited the blessing he was rejected." For those that make light of the name and profession of religion, and throw them away for a trifle, thereby forfeit the powers and privileges of it. We have here, I. Isaac's purpose to entail the blessing upon Esau (Gen 27:1-5). II. Rebekah's plot to procure it for Jacob (Gen 27:6-17). III. Jacob's successful management of the plot, and his obtaining the blessing (Gen 27:18-29). IV. Esau's resentment of this, in which, 1. His great importunity with his father to obtain a blessing (Gen 27:30-40). 2. His great enmity to his brother for defrauding him of the first blessing (Gen 27:41, etc.).

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 27 In this chapter we are informed, that Isaac, being old and dim sighted, sent for Esau to get him venison, that he might eat of it, and bless him before he died, Gen 27:1; that Rebekah hearing of this formed a scheme for Jacob to get the blessing before him, which she communicated to Jacob, to which he at first objected, but afterwards complied, Gen 27:5; and also how that he succeeded in the attempt, and got the blessing from his brother, Gen 27:18; and that this was confirmed to him by his father, even when his mistake was discovered upon Esau's coming, Gen 27:30; which occasioned a most bitter cry in Esau, a severe reflection on his brother, and an earnest expostulation with his father for a blessing, which he obtained, Gen 27:34; the consequence of this were hatred in Esau to Jacob, and an intention to kill him, which Rebekah hearing of, advised Jacob to flee to her brother Laban, Gen 27:41; and to facilitate this, complains to Isaac of Esau's wives, and suggests, that should Jacob marry among the same people, it would add to the distress of their lives; and therefore hints it to him, that it was necessary and proper he should go to her family for a wife, Gen 27:46; and whether Isaac sent him, as the following chapter shows.

And his mother said unto him, upon me be thy curse, my son,.... That is, if thy father should curse thee, which I am well assured he will not, let the curse, be what it will, fall upon me, and not on thee; I shall bear the blame and the punishment: this she said in the strong faith of the divine oracle, being fully persuaded her scheme would succeed, and that Jacob would have the blessing, and therefore she feared no curse falling upon her or her son; and this she said to encourage him: the Targum of Onkelos is,"to me it has been said in prophecy, that the curses shall not come upon thee, my son:" only obey my voice, and go fetch me them; the two fat kids of the goats from the flock.

We can see that the words spoken by Rebekah a long time ago have now been fulfilled in the church. The words “Let your curse be on me, my son” show that now certain people offend the church by their blasphemies, because she worships the Crucified, and for that reason they throw curses and contempt at us. In fact, the passion of the Lord is held to be a curse for the unbelievers, whereas his life is peace for those who believe. The apostle says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” That is what the Savior has now accomplished by receiving in himself, through his body, death on the cross. By his obedience he has erased the curse of Adam, which was received in the law: “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Isaac, grown old and feeble, and apprehending the approach of death, desires his son Esau to provide some savory meat for him, that having eaten of it he might convey to him the blessing connected with the right of primogeniture, Gen 27:1-4. Rebekah hearing of it, relates the matter to Jacob, and directs him how to personate his brother, and by deceiving his father, obtain the blessing, Gen 27:5-10. Jacob hesitates, Gen 27:11, Gen 27:12; but being counseled and encouraged by his mother, he at last consents to use the means she prescribes, Gen 27:13, Gen 27:14. Rebekah disguises Jacob, and sends him to personate his brother, Gen 27:15-17. Jacob comes to his father, and professes himself to be Esau, Gen 27:18, Gen 27:19. Isaac doubts, questions, and examines him closely, but does not discover the deception, Gen 27:20-24. He eats of the savory meat, and confers the blessing upon Jacob, Gen 27:25-27. In what the blessing consisted, Gen 27:28, Gen 27:29. Esau arrives from the field with the meat he had gone to provide, and presents himself before his father, Gen 27:30, Gen 27:31. Isaac discovers the fraud of Jacob, and is much affected, Gen 27:32, Gen 27:33. Esau is greatly distressed on hearing that the blessing had been received by another, Gen 27:34. Isaac accuses Jacob of deceit, Gen 27:35. Esau expostulates, and prays for a blessing, Gen 27:36. Isaac describes the blessing which he has already conveyed, Gen 27:37. Esau weeps, and earnestly implores a blessing, Gen 27:38. Isaac pronounces a blessing on Esau, and prophecies that his posterity should, in process of time, cease to be tributary to the posterity of Jacob, Gen 27:39, Gen 27:40. Esau purposes to kill his brother, Gen 27:41. Rebekah hears of it, and counsels Jacob to take refuge with her brother Laban in Padanaram, Gen 27:42-45. She professes to be greatly alarmed, lest Jacob should take any of the Canaanites to wife, Gen 27:41.

Upon me be thy curse, my son - Onkelos gives this a curious turn: It has been revealed to me by prophecy that the curses will not come upon thee, my son. What a dreadful responsibility did this woman take upon her at this time! The sacred writer states the facts as they were, and we may depend on the truth of the statement; but he nowhere says that God would have any man to copy this conduct. He often relates facts and sayings which he never recommends.

INFIRMITY OF ISAAC. (Gen. 27:1-27) when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim--He was in his hundred thirty-seventh year; and apprehending death to be near, Isaac prepared to make his last will--an act of the gravest importance, especially as it included the conveyance through a prophetic spirit of the patriarchal blessing.

and his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse--His conscience being soothed by his mother, preparations were hastily made for carrying out the device; consisting, first, of a kid's flesh, which, made into a ragout, spiced with salt, onions, garlic, and lemon juice, might easily be passed off on a blind old man, with blunted senses, as game; second, of pieces of goat's skin bound on his hands and neck, its soft silken hair resembling that on the cheek of a young man; third, of the long white robe--the vestment of the first-born, which, transmitted from father to son and kept in a chest among fragrant herbs and perfumed flowers used much in the East to keep away moths--his mother provided for him.