Isaac’s Blessing Upon Jacob and Esau

 

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.”

     – Hebrews 11:20

 

The purpose of God stands fast. It is unalterable. It cannot be hindered. The Lord our God always does all his pleasure. How clearly this fact is demonstrated in Isaac’s two sons, Jacob and Esau! Jacob, the younger, was to be served by Esau, the elder. Does this purpose come to pass? All parties involved sinned against God: Esau by godless unbelief, Jacob and Rebekah by deceit, and Isaac by giving way to human passions. Thus, everything known was contrary to God’s purpose. Yet, we see God overruling everything by his providence to accomplish his purpose.

 

Rebekah’s Presumption

 

Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, acted in terrible unbelief and presumption, attempting to secure by the arm of the flesh what God had promised to do by his free grace. Both Rebekah and Jacob knew and believed the promise of God. They knew God’s purpose in the matter. Though his father may have refused to recognize it and honor it, Jacob had purchased the birthright lawfully. Rebekah’s faith failed when she decided to scheme and through deceit get the blessing for Jacob, and Jacob’s when he agreed to it. They should have left it to the providence of God, and waited for him to perform the work. They were working in the energy of the flesh to prevent the thwarting of God’s purpose. (Compare 2 Sam. 6:6-16.)

 

Isaac’s Perversity

 

Isaac’s affections were perverted. Isaac loved Esau more than Jacob, but it was a selfish, human love. How often displaced affections lead to sin! Esau was his elder son. He was likely the more masculine of Isaac’s two boys. And Isaac loved the “savory meat” Esau provided for him. Isaac was determined to bless Esau, contrary to the revelation of God. Indeed, “his eyes had grown dim!”

 

Prophetic Blessings

 

Isaac’s blessings upon his sons were prophetic (Gen. 27:28-40). The significance of the blessings was clear. Jacob was promised both spiritual and temporal blessings. The coming Seed, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, was confirmed to him. Esau was blessed, but only temporally. Both Jacob and Esau were descendants of Abraham, but only Jacob was “a prince with God.” The people of God, in any age, are those who believe him. They are the Israel of God, God’s true covenant people.

 

The sovereignty of God was manifestly displayed in the blessings of Isaac’s two sons. Isaac believed that the one he blessed would have the promise of God. When he perceived that the providential hand of God had crossed his own affections, he did not murmur and rebel, but he yielded and submitted to the Lord. (Believers always, in the end, yield to the will of God, no matter how God’s will may cross their plans and schemes!) The object of his faith was God. The ground of his faith was God’s revelation. He did not try to recall the blessing, but he accepted God’s providence. Esau found no repentance in him (Heb. 12:17). He could not get back the blessing he despised in his youth. He had sold Christ for a bowl of beans, and thereby “fitted” himself to destruction.

 

God prevailed

 

Once more, we see that “the heavens do rule!” The Lord God prevailed. He always does. His will was accomplished. It always is. His purpose was performed. It always is. Yes, our God always prevails; and he shall yet prevail. He works his will even through the weaknesses and sins of others, yet he is in no way affected by their sin or weakness.

 

      Though it will never thwart the purpose of God, unbelief does reek havoc in our lives and in the lives of those who are under our influence, as it did in Jacob’s household for many years. If we are taken up with satisfying the flesh, we are terribly dim sighted spiritually, and are sure to act in unbelief. Let us, rather, believe God, trusting our Heavenly Father to accomplish his will and wait for him to perform his purpose (Pro. 3:5-6; Rom. 8:28-31; Isa. 40:27-31).