Smoodock's Blog

The end never justifies the means. More often than not, a desirable end cannot be reached through the devious plans of men, but the Lord is merciful and sometimes overlooks the immoral means used to accomplish the desired end, if the end, itself, was his will to begin with. Albeit, consequences will follow, because the Lord isn’t a pawn, which men are able to use in an effort to accomplish their goals.

If Rebekah and Jacob had not conspired together to deceive Isaac, would Esau have hated his brother enough to desire to slay him, because Jacob gained both the birthright and the blessing (Genesis 27:41)? Would Jacob have had to spend twenty years in Haran, away from the Land of Promise, and away from his mother and father, if he and Rebekah had faith the Lord would prevent Isaac’s blessing Esau? If the Lord could curb the heart of a man like Laban (Genesis 31:24), and turn hatred into love (cp. Genesis 33:1-4), couldn’t he have done so for Isaac, and have him willingly bless Jacob instead of Esau?

On the other hand, Isaac sent Esau out into the field, in order that he bring Isaac one of his favorite meals, fulling intending to bless his son, Esau, not Jacob. With this as the context, isn’t it easier to believe that Rebekah’s conspiracy was according to the will of God? No, it isn’t! The Lord appeared to both Pharaoh and Abimelech, while they slept, and kept them from defiling Sarah, when they took her with every intention of causing her to submit to their desires. The Lord also appeared to Isaac and prevented him from going down to Egypt during the great famine that had struck the land years earlier (Genesis 26:2), and it was probably Isaac’s original plan to go to Egypt, for he clearly sought to do only those things his father, Abraham had done (cp. Genesis 12:10).

There is no reason to believe that the end ever justifies the means. Therefore, what Rebekah and Jacob did was wrong, and, although the Lord permitted them to conspire together against Isaac, he did not approve. God is God, and men should trust him to be God over all.

Notice that Jacob came into his father’s tent, announcing his presence, as though he was expected, and he had with him the meal his mother, Rebekah, prepared, instead of the meal Isaac desired Esau to bring him. When Isaac asked who he was, Jacob lied by identifying himself as Esau, his twin brother (Genesis 27:18-19). So, Isaac asked how he had found the game so quickly, and Jacob responded by saying the Lord was with him, thus bringing the Lord into his conspiracy, as though the Lord didn’t see or care what was being done (Genesis 27:20; cp. Leviticus 19:14).

Nevertheless, Isaac’s suspicions were aroused, and he told his son to come near so he could feel him and understand, if he were truly Esau, his firstborn (Genesis 27:21). So, Jacob came near to his father, but Isaac was confused. He knew his son’s voice, and his sense of hearing told him the voice he heard was that of Jacob, but Isaac’s sense of touch told him differently. The goat’s hairs that disguised Jacob’s hands and neck (Genesis 27:16) offered a different witness, and Isaac believed his sense of touch over his sense of hearing (Genesis 27:22). When further inquiry was made to understand, if the young man before him was truly his son Esau, Jacob told his father he was, indeed, his son Esau. Therefore, Isaac blessed him (Genesis 27:23-24).

Thus, Isaac asked for the meal and ate of it, believing it was venison and Jacob gave him some wine to drink, as well, and Isaac kissed his son (Genesis 27:25-26). When he did, still suspicious of the young man’s identity, Isaac used his sense of smell to determine further that the scent of the man was also the scent of Esau, his firstborn (Genesis 27:27). Therefore, Isaac blessed his son, Jacob, believing he was Esau, saying, may the Lord bless him with the wealth of the land (Genesis 27:28); and may people serve him and nations bow down to him. Thus, making him lord over all, the first or leading nation of the world, including over the nation that would arise out of Esau, his brother (Genesis 27:29). Isaac concluded with curses for all those who would curse Jacob, and blessings upon all those who would bless him.