God's Purpose and Human Sin

Genesis 27 is a study in how God's sovereign purpose works through, and in spite of, human sin. God had declared before the twins' birth that the elder would serve the younger. Yet Isaac, favoring Esau, sets out to bless him in secret. Rebekah, rather than appealing to God or to her husband, plots a deception. Jacob raises a concern about getting caught, not about doing wrong.

The deception is carefully staged: Esau's clothes, goatskins, a savory meal. Jacob lies outright three times and even attributes his speed to Yahweh your God. Isaac, uneasy, finally gives the blessing: the dew of heaven, the fatness of the earth, lordship over his brothers, and the patriarchal promise, Cursed be everyone who curses you. Blessed be everyone who blesses you. When Esau returns, Isaac trembles violently, realizing God's will has prevailed: Yes, and he will be blessed.

The fallout is bitter. Esau's grief turns to murderous hatred, and Rebekah must send Jacob away for what she called a few days, which become about twenty years. The deceiver will soon be deceived by Laban. Scripture never approves of this family's sins, but it shows that God's promises do not depend on human goodness. Our sins have real consequences, and God's grace is greater than our failures.