Old Testament - Genesis 27 - February 24, 2022

 2/24/2022 – Genesis 27

The Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual has two very interesting paragraphs concerning Isaac’s blessing to Jacob to preside over his brethren: “… although Esau had sold his birthright to Jacob, their father, Isaac, still had the responsibility to bestow the birthright blessing on one of his sons. Summarizing Genesis 27:1–33: Isaac intended to give the birthright blessing to Esau. However, Rebekah had previously learned by revelation that Jacob was to receive the birthright (see Genesis 25:23). Rebekah instructed Jacob to approach Isaac, who was physically blind, and present himself as though he were Esau so that Jacob could receive the birthright blessing. Jacob reluctantly carried out this plan and received the blessing.  The Lord intended from the beginning that the birthright blessing be given to Jacob. After Isaac learned that he had unknowingly bestowed the birthright blessing on Jacob, he could have revoked the blessing and cursed Jacob instead. However, Isaac declared that Jacob “shall be blessed” (Genesis 27:33)---indicating that the Lord’s will had been accomplished.”

I don’t understand all the ways the lives of Esau and Jacob played out. But I do know that even in our pre-existence, there were two who offered to help all of Heavenly Father’s spirit children to make full use of our earthly stay. Lucifer’s plan would allow us all to return, having obeyed every commandment. But Jesus’s plan allowed us to grow and mature by making our own choices. Christ was chosen, Lucifer was sent away—but he would continue do all he could to reduce Christ’s influence to all of us on earth. The case with Esau and Jacob has some similarities— Abraham’s name means “father of a multitude” ….  That is certainly much like our Heavenly Father.  Esau is angry that Jacob was chosen, as Lucifer was, and Esau is now intent on destroying Jacob and Jacob’s works.  

Rasmussen’s Introduction to the Old Testament has an interesting view of the subsequent effects of Jacob’s blessing: “Esau was also blessed—with the bounties of the earth, and with the potential to cast off the yoke of oppression; but like most of us he valued what he had lost after it was gone and rued the day he had traded the birthright off to Jacob. He bitterly resolved to get revenge by fratricide when he saw the blessing of transmittal of the birthright actually confirmed upon the head of him to whom he had bartered the right to it. The alert and resourceful Rebekah averted a double tragedy (loss of both sons—one by murder and one by execution, as the law of Genesis 9:6 would require) by proposing to Isaac that they send Jacob away to find a proper wife in her home land. Thus she would remove him from harm proposed by Esau until feelings could cool. The proposition that he be sent for a proper wife apparently was approved immediately by Isaac, for doubtless he saw that it was true, as Rebekah said, that their life’s mission would be frustrated if Jacob married as Esau had.”