Isaac’s Blessing to Jacob
The predictions of Isaac concerning Jacob and Esau constituted a prophecy and were correctly fulfilled. “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come” (Hebrews 11:20). Though Isaac was deceived when he blessed Jacob, what he said was still inspired by God, and it came to pass (Genesis 27:33).
This doesn’t mean that God approved the act of deception, for God is not dependent upon the methods used by man in order to accomplish His will. God did not plan the act of deception, He simply overruled it. The blessing came to Jacob, not because of his deception, but in spite of it.
Initially, Isaac and his sons each did something wrong, and each one was responsible for his actions and did reap the consequences of his wrong action. Rebekah and Jacob who planned the deception were forever separated from each other. Rebekah had to send her favorite son away from his father’s house to escape Esau’s revenge and anger. Jacob had to flee in a hurry to a strange land away from home being poor and without resources. He had to suffer for deceiving his father and Esau for 20 years in the land of exile. And he too was repeatedly deceived by his own father in law.
As for Isaac, he was rebuked for insisting on favoring Esau and approving his godless conduct in spite of the clear will of God. Esau openly despised and even sold his birthright duties and privileges to Jacob in exchange for a lentil meal (Genesis 25:29-34). In addition, Esau went against God’s command and his parents advise in marrying heathen women (Genesis 26:34). For his favoritism to Esau, Isaac was separated from Jacob.
But through all human plans, the purpose of God was still accomplished without change because He “works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:11).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
