We see Jacob as the trickster in this particular chapter. He is willing to deceive his father (with his mother's help) in order to displace his twin brother Esau for a blessed life. Esau was Isaac's favorite among his two sons as Genesis 25:28 blatantly reveals to us.
Sibling rivalry takes all kinds of turns. Jacob may have developed his wit to counter his brother's physical prowess. He certainly would have felt inferior to Esau at times. And while Genesis 25:34 tells us that Esau despised his birthright by selling it for a bowl of stew, it was Jacob that maneuvered him into this decision.
Now Esau has had enough and is ready to kill his brother, reminding us of the first pair of brothers, Cain and Abel.
As 21st century readers, we may be left wondering along with Esau why Isaac couldn't have just blessed him as well. Or if he really wanted to, why couldn't Isaac just reverse the blessing and take it back?
Their particular understanding of blessing was along the lines of power. There was power in blessing and once uttered, could not be retracted. A common idiom that might help us understand would be "my word is my bond."
Isaac would lose face or honor if he were to declare a "do-over." This would also negatively impact the future of his sons and their children. As an ultimate statement of irony Rebekah declares at the end of the chapter that she has had enough of the Hittite women. On Isaac's deathbed, she remarks that if Jacob marries one, "what good will my life be to me?" At this point, one must conclude that Isaac knows who helped his son put one over on him. If he has a response, it is lost to history.
All of this reminds us that our families have difficulties many times in our dealings with one another. Jesus was once accosted by a man in a crowd saying, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” The response of Jesus was, "Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” Not even Jesus wanted to get in the middle of a family squabble.
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I never understood how Isaac would have been
tricked by a goat's hide in substitute for his hairy son.
But maybe this part of the story is to emphasize
the ridiculousness of the subterfuge.
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Now Esau has had enough and is ready to kill his brother, reminding us of the first pair of brothers, Cain and Abel.
As 21st century readers, we may be left wondering along with Esau why Isaac couldn't have just blessed him as well. Or if he really wanted to, why couldn't Isaac just reverse the blessing and take it back?
Their particular understanding of blessing was along the lines of power. There was power in blessing and once uttered, could not be retracted. A common idiom that might help us understand would be "my word is my bond."
Isaac would lose face or honor if he were to declare a "do-over." This would also negatively impact the future of his sons and their children. As an ultimate statement of irony Rebekah declares at the end of the chapter that she has had enough of the Hittite women. On Isaac's deathbed, she remarks that if Jacob marries one, "what good will my life be to me?" At this point, one must conclude that Isaac knows who helped his son put one over on him. If he has a response, it is lost to history.
All of this reminds us that our families have difficulties many times in our dealings with one another. Jesus was once accosted by a man in a crowd saying, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” The response of Jesus was, "Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?” Not even Jesus wanted to get in the middle of a family squabble.
This story may make us cringe when we imagine how Jacob deceived his family for his own gain. To be taken as a mark by someone is bad enough but if it is a family member, it feels especially hurtful. Rather than use this as a way to justify our own behavior, maybe we should think about what it would be like to be Esau in this story. Have we made proper amends for the things we have done?
For my deceitful heart and crooked thoughts:
For barbed words spoken deliberately:
For thoughtless words spoken hastily:
For envious and prying eyes:
For ears that rejoice in iniquity and rejoice not in the truth:
For greedy hands:
For wandering and loitering feet:
For haughty looks:
Have mercy upon me, O God.
Prayer by John Baillie, Scottish theologian, 20th Century
Photo by velodenz via Flickr.com. Used under the Creative Commons license.
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