Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Genesis Ch.27 / 50 Ch.s
GE:27
* Isaac sends Esau for venison. (1-5) Rebekah teaches Jacob to
obtain the blessing. (6-17) Jacob, pretending to be Esau,
obtains the blessing. (18-29) Isaac's fear, Esau's importunity.
(30-40) Esau threatens Jacob's life, Rebekah sends Jacob away.
(41-46)
#1-5 The promises of the Messiah, and of the land of Canaan, had
come down to Isaac. Isaac being now about 135 years of age, and
his sons about 75, and not duly considering the Divine word
concerning his two sons, that the elder should serve the
younger, resolved to put all the honour and power that were in
the promise, upon Esau his eldest son. We are very apt to take
measures rather from our own reason than from Divine revelation,
and thereby often miss our way.
#6-17 Rebekah knew that the blessing was intended for Jacob, and
expected he would have it. But she wronged Isaac by putting a
cheat on him; she wronged Jacob by tempting him to wickedness.
She put a stumbling-block in Esau's way, and gave him a pretext
for hatred to Jacob and to religion. All were to be blamed. It
was one of those crooked measures often adopted to further the
Divine promises; as if the end would justify, or excuse wrong
means. Thus many have acted wrong, under the idea of being
useful in promoting the cause of Christ. The answer to all such
things is that which God addressed to Abraham, I am God
Almighty; walk before me and be thou perfect. And it was a very
rash speech of Rebekah, "Upon me be thy curse, my son." Christ
has borne the curse of the law for all who take upon them the
yoke of the command, the command of the gospel. But it is too
daring for any creature to say, Upon me be thy curse.
#18-29 Jacob, with some difficulty, gained his point, and got
the blessing. This blessing is in very general terms. No mention
is made of the distinguishing mercies in the covenant with
Abraham. This might be owing to Isaac having Esau in his mind,
though it was Jacob who was before him. He could not be ignorant
how Esau had despised the best things. Moreover, his attachment
to Esau, so as to disregard the mind of God, must have greatly
weakened his own faith in these things. It might therefore be
expected, that leanness would attend his blessing, agreeing with
the state of his mind.
#30-40 When Esau understood that Jacob had got the blessing, he
cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry. The day is coming,
when those that now make light of the blessings of the covenant,
and sell their title to spiritual blessings for that which is of
no value, will, in vain, ask urgently for them. Isaac, when made
sensible of the deceit practised on him, trembled exceedingly.
Those who follow the choice of their own affections, rather than
the Divine will, get themselves into perplexity. But he soon
recovers, and confirms the blessing he had given to Jacob,
saying, I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed. Those who
part with their wisdom and grace, their faith and a good
conscience, for the honours, wealth, or pleasures of this world,
however they feign a zeal for the blessing, have judged
themselves unworthy of it, and their doom shall be accordingly.
A common blessing was bestowed upon Esau. This he desired. Faint
desires of happiness, without right choice of the end, and right
use of the means, deceive many unto their own ruin. Multitudes
go to hell with their mouths full of good wishes. The great
difference is, that there is nothing in Esau's blessing which
points at Christ; and without that, the fatness of the earth,
and the plunder of the field, will stand in little stead. Thus
Isaac, by faith, blessed both his sons, according as their lot
should be.
#41-46 Esau bore malice to Jacob on account of the blessing he
had obtained. Thus he went in the way of Cain, who slew his
brother, because he gained that acceptance with God of which he
had rendered himself unworthy. Esau aimed to prevent Jacob or
his seed from having the dominion, by taking away his life. Men
may fret at God's counsels, but cannot change them. To prevent
mischief, Rebekah warned Jacob of his danger, and advised him to
withdraw for his safety. We must not presume too far upon the
wisdom and resolution, even of the most hopeful and promising
children; but care must be taken to keep them out of the way of
evil. When reading this chapter, we should not fail to observe,
that we must not follow even the best of men further than they
act according to the law of God. We must not do evil that good
may come. And though God overruled the bad actions recorded in
this chapter, to fulfil his purposes, yet we see his judgment of
them, in the painful consequences to all the parties concerned.
It was the peculiar privilege and advantage of Jacob to convey
these spiritual blessings to all nations. The Christ, the
Saviour of the world, was to be born of some one family; and
Jacob's was preferred to Esau's, out of the good pleasure of
Almighty God, who is certainly the best judge of what is fit,
and has an undoubted right to dispense his favours as he sees
proper, #Ro 9:12-15|.