Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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Background
Last week we saw the life of Isaac as he sojourned in the land of Gerar, and his own interactions with Abimelech.
We also saw Esau’s choice of wives, and the ramifications of those choices.
We know from the last chapter that Esau was 40 years old when he took his wives, which means that Isaac is at minimum 100 years old.
While ages must be approximate in some cases, looking forward on the timeline can help us figure out that at the time of this chapter, Jacob must be around 75 years old.
If that’s true, Isaac is about 135 years old.
Isaac was old, and in his old age he lost his vision.
Yet as we’ll see, his other senses were still strong.
This interaction between Isaac and Esau is quite interesting, considering what we’ve seen in previous chapters.
Though they are twins, Esau is considered the oldest.
Isaac showed partiality towards Esau, in spite of the prophecy that God gave to Rebekah.
Also in spite of the disrespect and grief that Esau brought upon the family.
It was customary for a father to want to bless his eldest son before his death.
The blessing acted as a father’s last will and testament, which was extremely important, particularly for the firstborn who was to received a double portion.
The blessing also was in a sense prophetic, particularly for the Patriarchs who were considered prophets of God, because it would be made in the presence of God (verse 7).
The irony in this is that Isaac himself was in fact not Abraham’s firstborn.
Likewise, God often chooses to bless younger siblings over their firstborn elders.
Isaac appeared to want to do so in secret, perhaps because of perceived preference/rebellion.
God said that Jacob would be stronger than Esau, and Esau sold his birthright.
He tasked Esau to provide him with something that would appease his taste for game, the reason for his preference.
Rebekah overheard this conversation and felt she needed to take matters into her own hands.
Rather than confront Isaac directly, she sought to use his old age to her advantage.
As seen earlier, Rebekah preferred Jacob, and perhaps used God’s prophecy as justification for her plot.
Oftentimes Jacob is blamed for the theft of the blessing, but it was Rebekah who commanded him to do so.
Rebekah knows exactly what her husband likes and how Esau prepares his food, so she set out to mimic the meal herself.
The meal would be prepared for the express purpose of Jacob receiving the blessing.
Jacob voices his concerns, not because of the dishonesty of their actions, but his fear of being found out.
His craftiness and cunning are shown in their thought processes.
Rebekah’s resolve is revealed in accepting upon herself any negative outcome.
This details curses upon the dishonoring of a father, dishonesty, and taking advantage of the infirm, all of which apply here.
The conflict within this family shows the fallenness of mankind.
As seen with Abraham, the Patriarchs are not immune to the curse of sin.
God can and does use evil for His own purposes.
The deception is in place, the actor has his props and is playing his part.
Rebekah prepared all that was necessary to succeed, but Jacob had to fulfill the ruse.
Jacob recognized the risk he was taking.
The clothes and the hairy skins were to throw off the blind Isaac from relying on his other senses.
In spite of this, Isaac senses that something is amiss from the one sense that is wholly dependent upon Jacob - hearing his voice.
Jacob fully lies to his father time and again and commits to the ruse, improvising to answer Isaac’s questions.
He even brings God into the deception, from his standpoint being almost blasphemous.
The irony in this is that God indeed is using Rebekah to grant the blessing to Jacob, for whom it was intended.
We may need to look to ourselves and see if we are guilty of doing the same.
After Isaac’s suspicions are thwarted time and again, he finally relents after he smells the garments that Rebekah supplied and gives his blessing.
How fitting that Christ Himself was betrayed by the deceiver Judas with a kiss, only Christ was the receiver.
The blessing that was given by Isaac echoes the blessing of Abraham given by God: blessing of wealth and provision, power amongst the nations, and cursing and blessing.
Jacob’s escape came none too soon, as he left his father’s tent wearing Esau’s clothes just as Esau was returning to their camp.
Esau went through the motions and presented his offering, fully expecting to receive the blessing.
He even answers Isaac the same way Jacob did.
The ruse was found out, but there was no taking it back.
The blessing had been given, and was considered binding.
Jacob’s name “supplanter” is rightly recognized, and yet Esau takes no responsibility for the selling of his birthright.
Esau is desperate to receive a blessing from his father.
This actually is a bit selfish, for the blessing acts as the inheritance.
Recall Abraham giving gifts to his sons, but leaving his inheritance with Isaac.
Isaac gives Esau a “blessing,” though it’s not much of one.
The saving caveat he adds is throwing off his brother’s yoke - referring to the nations of Israel and Edom.
Esau now holds a grudge against his brother, and intends to kill him, much like the original siblings Cain and Abel.
Rebekah’s concern now is to preserve the work she has done in getting Jacob the blessing - he must live to receive it.
Rebekah uses Abraham’s legacy to her advantage, of which she herself was a subject.
Once again, the one who promised the blessing is put off course from receiving it, as a result of sin.
Fear, lack of faith, taking matters into own hands, and now deception.
Once again, by taking matters into her own hands, Rebekah is actually accomplishing what God intended for Jacob.
God effects His plans in our lives to bring about His mercy.
Rebekah uses their mutual disdain for Esau’s wives to force Isaac to do the same thing his father did for him - retrieve a wife from his father’s house.
We will see how this will play out next week.
APPLICATION
God can and does use evil for His own purposes.
God effects His plans in our lives to bring about His mercy.
Next week, we will continue with the story of Isaac and his family.
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