Bible Study Online Article

In the previous article we'd learned that Rebekah and Jacob had taken the final steps within their "keeping the birthright plan" that they'd enacted against Isaac.

Rebekah was worried that Isaac was placing Jacob's rightful place, when it came to being the steward and beneficiary of the Abrahamic Covenant and the birthright to his father's household in jeopardy.

This plan was designed by Rebekah that had placed Jacob in a position to be able to intercept Isaac's plans, when it came to him speaking a special blessing into his favorite son's life, Esau:

"Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of the field that the Lord has blessed. May God give you of heaven's dew and of earth's richness an abundance of grain and new wine. May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the son's of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed." -- (Genesis 27:27-29)

I had also pointed out that this particular special blessing that Isaac was trying to speak into Esau's life, was in retrospect, a direct contradiction to the prophecy that God had spoken to Rebekah when she was pregnant with the two boys: "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." -- (Genesis 25:23)

Now keep in mind that it was already Jacob's right to be the rightful steward of the Abrahamic Covenant, but it was wrong for Rebekah to try to take matters into her own hands And make no mistake, God had allowed Rebekah's plan to go forth, being that God would have never allowed this plan to go forward if it was going to derail His intended purpose when it came to the destiny of Abraham's seed. Know that the Lord had made a promise to Abraham, and rest assured, God the Almighty would never allow it to be broken.

Be that as it may, we now find that the Sacred Record reveals that after Jacob had just left from his father's side, Esau his older brother enters the room. Esau had just finished fixing his father the tasty stew that Isaac had instructed to fix him earlier: "I am now an old man and don't know the day of my death. Now then, get your weapons - your quiver (sword) and bow - and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me. Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die." -- (Genesis 27:2-4)

Once Esau had entered the room, he spoke these words to his father Isaac: "My father, sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing." Esau said humbly to his father. But Isaac would respond in a surprised manner: "Who are you?" Esau replied: "I am your son, your first born, Esau."

Upon hearing Esau's answer, Isaac would begin to tremble violently and said: "Who was it, then, that hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came and I blessed him -- and indeed he will be blessed." After Esau had heard what his father had just told him, the brave hunter had become incensed and yelled out with a loud and vexatious cry and said to his father: "Bless me too, my father!"

Isaac responded by saying: "Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing." After hearing what Isaac had said, Esau spoke these words: "Isn't he rightfully named Jacob? He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he's taken my blessing! My father, haven't you reserved any blessing for me?"

After hearing what Esau had to say, Isaac replied: "I have made him lord over you and have made all his relatives his servants, and I have sustained him with grain and new wine. So what can I possibly do for you my son?"

Esau responded by saying: "Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father!" Esau begged of his father while weeping. So Isaac would answer his son and speak this blessing into his life: "Your dwelling will be away from the earth's richness, and away from the dew of heaven above. You will live by the sword and you will serve your brother. But when you grow restless, you will throw his yoke from off your neck."

Now real quick let's take a closer look at what Isaac just spoke to his son, Esau: "Your dwelling will be away from the earth's richness, and away from the dew of heaven above."

Know that although the statement seems to suggest that Esau would be kept away from prosperity. This in actuality would be quite the opposite, being that Esau inhabited a rich, fertile hill country in Seir, which was given to him and his descendants the Edomites, by the grace of God.

So in fact, Esau would still benefit from God's provision, but he would not share in the special divine provision that was bestowed upon Jacob. For we must remember that Jacob's provision will be the earth's richness and the dew of heaven, and it will be given to him in abundance: "May God give you of heaven's dew and of earth's richness an abundance of grain and new wine." -- (Genesis 27:28)

Continuing a Closer Look At Isaac's Special Blessing...

"You will live by the sword and you will serve your brother. But when you grow restless, you will throw his yoke from off your neck."

Basically what this means, is that Esau and his descendants will live by violence and rapine (pillage or plunder). He'll be constantly at war and forced to always be a defender of his lands. Now this statement also points out that when Esau grows tired of being submissive to Jacob's authority: "But when you grow restless, you will throw his yoke from off your neck."

Esau and his descendants the Edomites would eventually become a thorn within Israel's side. Keep in mind that there are some notable conflicts between the Edomites and the Israelites during the days of king Saul. Also keep in mind that the Edomites would eventually be conquered by David, who was Israel's most famous and blessed king.

But also take note that Esau's descendants the Edomites would in fact, gain power and dominion. They would also develop a reputation for being a cruel, idolatrous, and prideful people as well. But know that the Edomites, although a thorn in Israel's side, will never have rule over them.

Now that Esau has learned his fate so to speak, will he immediately look to seek vengeance against his younger brother Jacob?

The Introduction of Abraham

The Birth of Isaac

**YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES WOULD BE HERE**

Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty

Jacob - Wrestles with God

Joseph the Favorite Son

Joseph the Overseer of Egypt

The Unveiling of Joseph

28) The Twelve Rulers of Ishmael

29) The Birth of Esau & Jacob

30) Esau & Jacob - The Birthright

31) Isaac and the Canaan Famine

32) Isaac Lied About Rebekah

33) The Envious King Abimelech

34) The Battle of the Wells

35) Esau the Rebellious

36) Esau the Favorite Son

37) God has Checkmate

38) Rebekah's Deception

39) Jacob the Loyal Son

40) Deceitful Hearts

41) <-CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE PAGE->

42) Esau's Heart of Vengeance

43) Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty