Gen. 27 Isaac being aged, sends Esau for venison, that he might eat thereof, and bless him, Gen. 27:1–4. Esau obeys his father, Gen. 27:5. Rebekah hearing it, tells Jacob, Gen. 27:6–7. Her contrivance and advice to him to intercept the blessing, Gen. 27:8–10.

Isaac was about one hundred and thirty-seven years old. He could not see; which was ordered by God’s wise providence, not only for the exercise of Isaac’s patience, but also as a means to transfer Esau’s right to Jacob.

Thy quiver, or, as the Chaldee and Hebrew doctors render it, thy sword; a weapon no less necessary for a hunter of beasts than a bow.

Quest. Why doth he require that he may eat before he bless him? Answ. 1. That being refreshed and delighted therewith, his spirit might be more cheerful, and so the fitter for the giving of this prophetical benediction; for which reason also the prophet Elisha called for a minstrel ere he could…

Before the Lord; solemnly, as in God’s presence, in his name, and by his authority, and with his leave and favour, which I shall heartily pray for thee. So he signifies that this was more than an ordinary blessing which he now intended to give him.

It is observable, that as Jacob deceived his father by a kid, so his sons deceived him by the same creature, Gen. 37:31–33. I will make them savoury meat, out of their most tender and delicate parts; wherewith it was not difficult to deceive Isaac, partly because of the likeness of the flesh,…

I shall appear to him to be indeed a deceiver, one that abuseth his age and blindness. The particle as sometimes signifies not the likeness, but the truth of the thing, John 1:14, 2 Cor. 3:18. I shall bring a curse upon me, which is due to every one that deceiveth the blind, Deut.

She saith so out of an assured confidence in the Divine oracle and promise.

Either the sacerdotal garments which the eldest son wore in the administration of that office which belonged to him; or rather some other suit better than ordinary.

Upon the two naked parts of his body, which were most likely to be discovered. As for his face, it is more than probable from his age, which was the same with Esau’s, Gen. 26:34, that nature had given him a covering like Esau’s.

This cannot be excused, for it was a manifest untruth, and no less is all this following relation, though it pleased God graciously to pardon it; and notwithstanding these failings, to confer the blessing promised upon Jacob.

He discerned him not, because all his senses were not only dulled with age and infirmity, but also held by Divine Providence, as theirs, Luke 24:16, for the bringing about his own purpose; so that it is no wonder he was so grossly deceived in the whole business.

Which he did, either that he might more fully satisfy himself concerning the person, or rather as a mark of that special favour and affection wherewith he bestowing the blessing. Compare Gen. 48:10.

Which is full of odoriferous herbs, and flowers, and fruits, and spices, with some of which Esau’s garments might be perfumed in the chest wherein they were laid, as the manner now is.

God give thee, or, will give; for it is both a prayer and a prophecy. He mentions the dew rather than the rain, because it was of more constant use and necessity in those parts than the rain, which fell considerably but twice in a year, the first being called the former, and the other the latter…

Let thy mother’s son bow down to thee. How and when this was fulfilled, see on Gen. 25:23.

That Esau did not come to his father till the meat was dressed, may be ascribed partly to his own choice, that he might come with more acceptance; and partly to Rebekah, who could easily hinder his coming sooner by specious pretences and artifices.

Isaac was filled with astonishment and horror in consideration of Jacob’s fraud, and the sad disappointment and great misery of his beloved Esau, and his own rashness and folly in suffering his fond affection towards him to carry him headlong into an opposition to the Divine oracle, Gen.

He cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, not for any sense of his former sin, in despising his birthright, but for grief at his great loss therein, because God would not suffer him to be perjured in keeping that birthright blessing which he had sold and sworn away.

Which was thine by the right of nature, and by custom of nations, and by my hearty desire and intention, as well as by thy own expectation and opinion.

He puts a perverse construction upon Jacob’s name, as if it belonged not to him so properly, because of the manner of his birth, as because of his falseness and deceitfulness, and his tripping up his brother’s heels.

The blessing of Abraham is not at my disposal, but God’s, who hath manifested his mind and will by my error; it cannot be divided into several hands, nor imparted to one, who, though my son, yet hath made himself unworthy of it.

Hast thou but one? By these words Esau manifests his profane and worldly mind, that he esteemed this blessing but as one among many others equal to it, and did not apprehend the true and peculiar excellency and absolute necessity of it, and that it was impossible for him or his posterity to be…

In a country competently fruitful and refreshed with convenient dews and showers. Object. Thus Esau seems to have the same blessing which was before given to Jacob. Answ. 1.

By thy sword shalt thou live; by violence and rapine, in an unquiet and military posture, troubling others, and forced to defend thyself. But this, as also the following clause, though spoken to Esau, was not fulfilled in him, but in his posterity the Edomites, whose history makes good this…

Esau hated Jacob; and this hatred was hereditary, extending to their posterity also. See Ezek. 35:5, Amos 1:11, Obad. 10. Esau said in his heart, within himself; although he could not contain it there, but declared his intentions to some of his confidants, by which means it came to Rebekah’s ear.

A few days; so she expected and intended, but was greatly disappointed, for he tarried there twenty years.

Of thee by Esau’s bloody hands; and of Esau, who was likely to suffer death for his murder, either by the authority of the magistrate, as God commanded, Gen.

The daughters of Heth, Esau’s wives, who were Hittites, Gen. 26:34. Therefore let us, after the example of Abraham, send him to fetch a wife from his own kindred.