Jacob was more concerned about the ends than the means. The destination was more important than the journey. God had chosen him, and that was that, so any lie or deception, manipulation or sin is justified because it takes me to that place of blessing, right? Wrong!
“Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, ‘The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.’ He did not recognise him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he proceeded to bless him. ‘Are you really my son Esau?’ he asked. ‘I am,’ he replied.” Genesis 27: 22-24.
Even when Isaac questioned how he managed to catch the game and then cook the stew so quickly, Jacob didn’t hesitate—he credited his quickness to God’s blessing, deepening his deception.
Genesis 27:26-29 reveals the magnitude of what was stolen:
“His father Isaac said to him, ‘Come here, my son, and kiss me.’ So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said, ‘Surely, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field which the Lord has blessed. Therefore may God give you of the dew of heaven, of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be master over your brethren, and let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be those who bless you!'”
These blessings were hugely significant in their culture. They granted authority over the whole family that could not be taken back. They became a transfer of God’s promises to the person, including land, descendants, and even influence among nations.
All four members of the family were wrong. This breach of trust within the family had devastating consequences. The deception created such intense hatred that Esau planned to kill Jacob after their father’s death. The rivalry between the brothers was so severe that Jacob had to flee for his life and lived in exile for years.
It seems so unfair, doesn’t it? Maybe people have gotten away with it, and no one is listening or seeing what is blatantly clear to you. And so you trust God because there is nothing else you can do.
As soon as Jacob left the room, having received the birthright blessing, Esau came in from the field.
“Now it happened, as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. He also had made savoury food, and brought it to his father, and said to his father, ‘Let my father arise and eat of his son’s game, that your soul may bless me.’ And his father Isaac said to him, ‘Who are you?’ So he said, ‘I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.’ Then Isaac trembled exceedingly, and said, ‘Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him—and indeed he shall be blessed.'” Genesis 27:30-33.
Isaac trembled exceedingly, violently; it was a terrible moment. And yet it became a turning point for him.
His final statement was powerful: “And indeed he shall be blessed!” Even upon realising the trick, Isaac didn’t attempt to revoke the blessing. Isaac recognised that despite the deception, God’s purposes were somehow being fulfilled through these events.
Isaac realised he would always lose if he resisted God’s will, even when he didn’t like it. And he came to learn that despite his arrogance against God’s Word, God’s plan was perfect.
He gave Esau a limited blessing, “Then Isaac his father answered and said to him: ‘Behold, your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above. By your sword you shall live, and you shall serve your brother; and it shall come to pass, when you become restless, that you shall break his yoke from your neck.'” (v39-40)
Isaac was physically blind, yet his spiritual vision was remarkably clear. He understood that God’s purposes extended far beyond his own lifetime. Despite the family drama unfolding around him, despite Jacob’s deception and Esau’s disappointment, Isaac maintained faith in God’s covenant promises.
Isaac could have reasoned that since the blessing was obtained through deception, it was invalid. He could have appealed to his own intentions, his preference for Esau, or basic fairness. Instead, he recognised that something greater than human intention was at work.
If our filter for life is fairness, we will miss the story of God. But if our filter in life is the roles we play in God’s ever-revealing plan, then our focus is on His glory and pleasure, not ours.
Like Isaac, may we learn to bless concerning things to come, confident that God’s purposes will prevail, even when we cannot see how it will all work out.
Missions Paul 