Despite Esau having sold his birthright, and forfeited the related blessing Genesis 25:33-34,Genesis 25:33-34XWaiting for response when Isaac proposed giving him the blessing he acted deceitfully by concealing the true position. However, his mother Rebekah recognised the deception and acted to ensure that the blessing went to Jacob, the rightful holder of the birthright. Jacob had supplanted his brother Esau, “supplanter” being the meaning of his name Genesis 25:25,Genesis 25:25XWaiting for response in accordance with God’s will expressed to Rebekah before the children were born Genesis 25:23,Genesis 25:23XWaiting for response and she acted prudently to ensure that Esau’s deception was not successful and the rightful heir was blessed.
What both Rebekah and Jacob did here may appear deceptive. But there are two points which show it as not.
Firstly, Esau had sold his birthright to Jacob already.
Secondly, the Lord is perfectly righteous and is able to do what man is unable to do and still remains perfectly righteous. Just as we are able to deceive a beast to capture and eat it, so God does the same with us. Just as God may kill without unrighteousness (Deuteronomy 32:39).Deuteronomy 32:39XWaiting for response And as he is able to take vengeance where we are not able to avenge ourselves (Romans 3:5-6,Romans 3:5-6XWaiting for response Romans 12:19).Romans 12:19XWaiting for response And deceive without unrighteousness (Ezekiel 14:9,Ezekiel 14:9XWaiting for response 2 Thessalonians 2:11,2 Thessalonians 2:11XWaiting for response 1 Kings 22:21-23).1 Kings 22:21-23XWaiting for response
Applying these principles here, we may understand that God stirred up Rebekka to deceive Isaac, that Isaac would bless whom he was meant to bless.
Esau’s supplanting by his brother provoked murderous intent in his heart, a recurring event in the relationship between the righteous and the wicked. Those, throughout history, who rejected the glorious inheritance God offers nevertheless envied and persecuted those who sought by belief and obedience to inherit them, for example: Ishmael and Isaac; the Jewish religious leaders and Christ; the Jews and the first Christians; as the apostle wrote Galatians 4:29Galatians 4:29XWaiting for response
The word translated 'hated' here is the Hebrew word of 'lurk for' (Heb. satam) and is the root of the word 'satan'. This shows us the true meaning of 'satan' which theologians foist upon the world as the name of a supernatural non-existent evil being. 'Satan' is a common noun and applied to anyone or anything that is a clandestine adversary to another, and 'satam' is the emotion that motivates them. We see this here, in the case of Esau who secretly planned the murder of his brother; in Joseph's brothers against him (Genesis 49:23);Genesis 49:23XWaiting for response in Job's adversary (Job 16:9);Job 16:9XWaiting for response and in the Jewish leaders together with Judas Iscariot against Christ (Psalms 55:3,12-14).Psalms 55:3,12-14XWaiting for response
The character of these two brothers is set forth in the scriptures for our learning as God said: “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated” Romans 9:13.Romans 9:13XWaiting for response We should be like Jacob who believed God’s promises, appreciated their true value, was prepared to give up everything to obtain them, longed for their fulfilment, and acted in accordance with God’s revealed will so that he might in due course receive them. Esau’s example is to be avoided: “For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears” Hebrews 12:17.Hebrews 12:17XWaiting for response The prophet Malachi warned Israel, who were then acting like Esau, that God loved Jacob and hated Esau (Malachi 1:2-3)Malachi 1:2-3XWaiting for response and that the day of judgment will come when, despite present appearances, the truly righteous and the wicked will be manifested Malachi 3:18.Malachi 3:18XWaiting for response Then it will be vital to be like Jacob, and not like Esau.