Page 32 - Pentateuch - Student Textbook

2. You will evaluate the power of human manipulation, including magic, to accomplish what a person
wants.
3. You will see how God can take the very worst of circumstances and use them for his good plan.

4. You will find the first clear prophecy of a coming Messiah since Genesis 3:15. 5.) You will understand
some of the technique of the writer in leaving God in the background of events

5.3 Learning with Jacob and Joseph

In the first event of his adult life, Jacob proves the accuracy of his name. His brother has been
out hunting and is famished. He demands food, food of a simple sort. Jacob is not one for
sharing, even with his own brother. He demands payment. Knowing his brother’s nature, he
demands the birthright due the eldest. Esau agrees, and both brothers get what they want, for
Esau is not particularly excited about a birthright (25:24-35).

The deal is not complete yet. Isaac as the patriarch of the family has something to say about who gets
first place. Jacob with the help of his mother hatches a plan to
fool his father into giving him the eldest son’s blessing. We might
wonder a bit about this family. Has the urge to deceive been
handed down from parents to son? Isaac adopted the same plan
that his father used in passing off his wife as his sister to escape a
difficult situation (26:1-35). Now Rebekah outfits Jacob with the
best clothing of Esau. She covers his hands and neck with
goatskin to simulate Esau’s hairy body. She prepares food in Esau-
style and sends Jacob to visit his father. The blessing is given.
Later Esau comes in and discovers the trick, rightly connecting
Jacob’s name to his deceiving character. The blessing has been
given, however, and Esau must settle for second best. He has
now lost his birthright, given away, and his first-son blessing. The Fig.17. Isaac blessing Jacob
rivalry of these two brothers is not ended, and Jacob flees to his Govert Flinck, c. 1634
uncle’s house (27:1-46).

Moses is a wise and thoughtful writer. He has already discussed the character of God in connection with
Abraham. As we finish the stolen birthright chapter, we want to object to the unfairness of it all. How
can God’s blessing be hijacked in such a fashion? Esau has a right to be mad not only at his brother and
mother but at God. Yet not many chapters before, we read about some unfairness to Hagar. She
discovered “the God who sees” (17:13). We are encouraged to keep in mind the character of God
already learned and assume the same traits active in the lives of others as we continue to read. Has not
God anticipated this very outcome from the beginning? He knows Esau to be a profane man, a godless
man whose tears of repentance would be shallow (Heb. 12:14-17). He knows just what events each
person must go through to bring them to a true place of change. Moses has chosen to write about
Jacob. We must leave the life story of Esau and many others for now. Perhaps our curiosity can be
satisfied through an eternity of learning in heaven.

On his way to Laban’s house, Jacob has an encounter with God. This is his first encounter. He has had
few thoughts of God to this point. Jacob does not deserve God’s blessing, yet God gives it. “I am with
you and will watch over you wherever you go” (28:15). Jacob recognizes God as YHWH and is afraid. Yet
he seems unready to trust God fully. He does not immediately leave his ways of deception and commit

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