Genesis 27

Jacob was not the only schemer in his family. Both his mother and his father were devious. To understand what all the scheming was about, you have to understand what the blessing consisted of. The blessing normally took place at a ceremonial meal. It took place in front of the leaders and people of position in the community and family. It was a celebration of the passing of leadership. Isaac was the patriarch. With the blessing he would be naming his replacement. He would be appointing an administrator of his estate. The administrator of the estate could not change the will, but he could delay its implementation. Esau had already traded away his birthright for bowl of soup. As administrator he would have full control of the estate until he chose to implement the will.

Isaac knew that God had told Rebekah that of her two sons, the older would serve the younger. Isaac loved Esau more than Jacob. He planned to have the blessing ceremony in private. He was hoping to subvert God’s will. His blessing was going to place Esau in charge of the family. He could have given the blessing to Esau in public. I believe he was hoping to avoid conflict. By the time Jacob and his mother found out, it would be complete.

Jacob deceived his father, but to do so he used a scheme devised by his mother. She orchestrated the deception. She cooked the meal, provided Esau’s clothes and devised a way to camouflage Jacob’s smooth skin.

The end result of all the scheming could have been disaster. Jacob was named the administrator of the state and patriarch of the family. Esau swore that the day his father died he would kill his brother Jacob. If Jacob were to die before having children, the position of leadership would revert back to his oldest brother Esau.

None of the people in this story were exhibiting righteousness. In the midst of all their unrighteousness God was faithful. God was working. It would take years, but God was going to restore the relationships of this family. He was going to heal the hearts and mend the hurts. Men cannot make a mess too big for God to straighten up if only they choose to walk with him in righteousness.