Knowing The Word in Genesis 27:1-13, The Scheme is Hatched

1 When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see [mentioned here to explain why Jacob could trick his father], he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son”; and he answered, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Behold, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me, 4 and prepare for me delicious food, such as I love [his stomach usurps his mind], and bring it to me so that I may eat, that my soul may bless you [a deep desire that ignores Esau’s rebellious life] before I die.” [This recalls the scene of Abraham’s deathbed. Here, however, it is unusual that Isaac would only call one son and not both, breaking with tradition since both were entitled to a blessing. Abraham had been concerned with a non-Canaanite wife for his son. Yet Esau has two Canaanite wives and Isaac knows of the birth oracle that promised Jacob’s ascendancy over Esau. Isaac’s will is pitted against God’s and Rebekah’s. When a man is not up to a godly job, there is a woman waiting in the wings, and God will use her!]

5 Now Rebekah [whose youth was characterized by energy and decisiveness] was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it, 6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob [reminding us of the rift between the parents], “I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, 7 ‘Bring me game and prepare for me delicious food, that I may eat it and bless you before the Lord before I die.’ [She insinuates the importance of Jacob acquiring the blessing while minimizing Isaac’s determination to give it to Esau.] 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice as I command you. [She musters all the maternal authority she has to be in control of the situation.] 9 Go to the flock and bring me two good young goats, so that I may prepare from them delicious food for your father, such as he loves. [Isaac must really be a lover of food because two goats provide a lot of meat.] 10 And you shall bring it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.” 11 But Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Behold, my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. 12 Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him and bring a curse upon myself and not a blessing.” [Instead of basing his doubts on moral principles, he merely expresses his worry about being caught and the plan backfiring and receiving what he did not want.] 13 His mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, bring them to me.” [How can a curse be transferable? Can she really take all the blame?]