Genesis 27:41 Commentary and Bible Study

Esau’s jealousy of his brother turned to murderous hatred. He had received a blessing from his father but it had put him in second place, which he could not bear. Despite his indifference to his birthright, he had so long viewed himself as the firstborn that his pride would not now let him adjust this view of himself. The selling of his birthright had not been a serious act in his estimation and he had not faced up to any of the consequences that followed from it. Instead of now considering the need of his soul and applying to God for mercy, which was still available through the covenant given to his brother, he allowed his resentment to grow until it promoted him to carry out that same dreadful act that had followed the fall – fratricide. Esau’s hatred started in his heart with a consuming desire to kill Jacob. He said this over and over to himself, planning how it might be done. Murder did not perhaps appear all at once, but by dwelling on his resentment, the evil seed grew in a fertile soil. We must be strict with ourselves to shut out anything that Satan can make use within us. Eventually he shared these ideas with others who he thought he might win to his side, and word reached his mother. Did he really think he could succeed when the blessing of the Lord had determined otherwise? What did he think of his own blessing if he thought that an act of murder could so easily reverse the word of prophecy from his father? He evidently knew nothing of the ways of God. Jacob at the age of 77 had to flee. Esau's reaction to all this was, in modern language, I will kill him. I will destroy him. I will take his life. Rebekah called Jacob. He was sent away to Laban, to Haran. They accomplished what they set out to accomplish by their deception, and the blessing went the right way. Rebekah was to be blessed in her life because she and Isaac had another 40 years plus of great prosperity and happiness and union with God and blessing. But they were disciplined for their sin. How Rebekah loved Jacob. Now he had to go on the run under fear of being slain by Esau. Rebekah never saw her favourite son again. Bear in mind that both Esau and Jacob were 77 years of age when all this happened. Jacob goes out, never to be seen again by Rebekah. As for Jacob himself, how was he disciplined for his deception? He was deceived. He served 20 years in the household of Laban. He was twice cruelly deceived by Laban. God disciplines his own.