Genesis:27

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* Verse 1-5 - The promises of the Messiah , and of the land of Canaan , had come down to Isaac . Isaac being now about 135 years of age , and his sons about 75 , and not duly considering the Divine word concerning his two sons , that the elder should serve the younger , resolved to put all the honour and power that were in the promise , upon Esau his eldest son . We are very apt to take measures rather from our own reason than from Divine revelation , and thereby often miss our way . * Verse 6-17 - Rebekah knew that the blessing was intended for Jacob , and expected he would have it . But she wronged Isaac by putting a cheat on him ; she wronged Jacob by tempting him to wickedness . She put a stumbling-block in Esau 's way , and gave him a pretext for hatred to Jacob and to religion . All were to be blamed . It was one of those crooked measures often adopted to further the Divine promises ; as if the end would justify , or excuse wrong means . Thus many have acted wrong , under the idea of being useful in promoting the cause of Christ . The answer to all such things is that which God addressed to Abraham , I am God Almighty ; walk before me and be thou perfect . And it was a very rash speech of Rebekah , "Upon me be thy curse , my son ." Christ has borne the curse of the law for all who take upon them the yoke of the command , the command of the gospel . But it is too daring for any creature to say , Upon me be thy curse . * Verse 18-29 - Jacob , with some difficulty , gained his point , and got the blessing . This blessing is in very general terms . No mention is made of the distinguishing mercies in the covenant with Abraham . This might be owing to Isaac having Esau in his mind , though it was Jacob who was before him . He could not be ignorant how Esau had despised the best things . Moreover , his attachment to Esau , so as to disregard the mind of God , must have greatly weakened his own faith in these things . It might therefore be expected , that leanness would attend his blessing , agreeing with the state of his mind . * Verse 30-40 - When Esau understood that Jacob had got the blessing , he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry . The day is coming , when those that now make light of the blessings of the covenant , and sell their title to spiritual blessings for that which is of no value , will , in vain , ask urgently for them . Isaac , when made sensible of the deceit practised on him , trembled exceedingly . Those who follow the choice of their own affections , rather than the Divine will , get themselves into perplexity . But he soon recovers , and confirms the blessing he had given to Jacob , saying , I have blessed him , and he shall be blessed . Those who part with their wisdom and grace , their faith and a good conscience , for the honours , wealth , or pleasures of this world , however they feign a zeal for the blessing , have judged themselves unworthy of it , and their doom shall be accordingly . A common blessing was bestowed upon Esau . This he desired . Faint desires of happiness , without right choice of the end , and right use of the means , deceive many unto their own ruin . Multitudes go to hell with their mouths full of good wishes . The great difference is , that there is nothing in Esau 's blessing which points at Christ ; and without that , the fatness of the earth , and the plunder of the field , will stand in little stead . Thus Isaac , by faith , blessed both his sons , according as their lot should be . * Verse 41-46 - Esau bore malice to Jacob on account of the blessing he had obtained . Thus he went in the way of Cain , who slew his brother , because he gained that acceptance with God of which he had rendered himself unworthy . Esau aimed to prevent Jacob or his seed from having the dominion , by taking away his life . Men may fret at God 's counsels , but cannot change them . To prevent mischief , Rebekah warned Jacob of his danger , and advised him to withdraw for his safety . We must not presume too far upon the wisdom and resolution , even of the most hopeful and promising children ; but care must be taken to keep them out of the way of evil . When reading this chapter , we should not fail to observe , that we must not follow even the best of men further than they act according to the law of God . We must not do evil that good may come . And though God overruled the bad actions recorded in this chapter , to fulfil his purposes , yet we see his judgment of them , in the painful consequences to all the parties concerned . It was the peculiar privilege and advantage of Jacob to convey these spiritual blessings to all nations . The Christ , the Saviour of the world , was to be born of some one family ; and Jacob 's was preferred to Esau 's , out of the good pleasure of Almighty God , who is certainly the best judge of what is fit , and has an undoubted right to dispense his favours as he sees proper , Romans strkjv @9:12-15 . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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