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NASB | Genesis 27:35 And he said, "Your brother came deceitfully and has taken away your blessing." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 27:35 Isaac said, "Your brother came deceitfully and has [fraudulently] taken away your blessing [for himself]." |
Subject: Why Esau not got his blessing back? |
Bible Note: Hi iktoose, I’m probably not the best person to get real in depth on this one. There are many more knowledgeable than I on the forum that can address and probably explain in more clear terms, but I’ll give it a try. I’m always willing to give my point of view when asked. First of all, Isaac didn’t state that he had no more blessings. Genesis 27:39,40 records the blessing that Isaac did in fact place unto Esau. But just prior to that in v37, Isaac told Esau what he had blessed Jacob with and posed the question to Esau, “and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?” Jacob had the blessing and regardless whether or not Isaac wanted to revoke it, it was still his word, and that stands for something and Jacob was given authority to rule, so Esau would have no other choice but to serve. My study Bible points out that someone’s word, especially when it was with a formal oath was binding, much like a written contract is today, thus another reason Isaac’s blessing was irrevocable. This wasn’t necessarily a blessing from God, as I understand it. It was the ceremony of blessing that officially handed over the birthright to the rightful heir that would include spiritual blessings. Realize also that Jacob had been given the birthright years before by Esau when he sold it to him (which was apparently done at times), but that showed complete disregard for the spiritual blessings that would have come his way had he not relinquished it to satisfy his immediate desire without considering the consequences. Matthew Henry continued in the commentary I submitted previously with this: “That those who undervalue their spiritual birthright, and can afford to sell it for a morsel of meat, forfeit spiritual blessings, and it is just with God to deny them those favours they were careless of. Those that will part with their wisdom and grace, with their faith and a good conscience, for the honours, wealth, or pleasures, of this world, however they may pretend a zeal for the blessing, have already judged themselves unworthy of it, and so shall their doom be.” But Isaac did in fact bless Esau. He didn’t necessarily curse him. He would still have a competent livelihood. He’ll live by his sword shows that he would serve but he would not starve. He would serve but would break the yoke from off his neck, and he would eventually be free of bondage. Esau prospered for a time. The commentary I’ve referred to can be viewed at the following. It was very helpful to me in understanding what is being stated. http://www.searchgodsword.org/com/mhc-com/ My thoughts as a parent: Well we’re walking on dangerous ground now, asking for my own personal thoughts. Being a father of two with another on the way, I hope and pray that I am fair an equal with all of my children, that I don’t favor one over the other. The truth however, I’m probably not all of the time. Not that I love one more than another, but depending on the circumstances I tend to favor one over another to enjoy a particular activity based on their enjoyment as well. I don’t necessarily get everyone involved and sometimes, one child may feel left out. I try to ration my time and efforts equally so as not to discourage either of them, and this will be even more intense with the arrival of our third. Truth be told, I probably don’t spend enough time with them as time seems to be such a rare commodity these days. I’ll strive to better myself in that area. So I hope I’m not in the position Isaac was as a father in which he apparently displayed his favoritism so greatly. That should be avoided. But as a parent who loves his child and is witness to a tremendous disappointment such as Esau displayed, I simply hope I have the faith and love to comfort them in any way I can. What I give to one, I would hope to be able to give to the others equally and just as fulfilling. However, in some cases, just as with Isaac and Esau, we see that it just isn’t possible all of the time. I hope to teach my children to make the best of what they have and what they are given and to understand that not all their desires will be fulfilled for one reason or another and they will have to adjust accordingly. What would I have done in Isaac’s case? Hopefully I would have called on God for the answer and had faith that it was the right answer. WOS |