Genesis 27
SIBVer. 4. — that invigorated with the savoury meat, I now stow upon thee my blessing, constituting thee heir of all the benefits given to me and my father Abraham; ver. 27—29. chi xxviii. 3, 4. xlviii. 22. xlix. Deut. xxxi. xxxiii. Heb. xi
Genesis 27:20
Ver. 13. The manner in which she imprecates the curse cannot be justified; but, from the promise of God, and from Jacob’s having obtained the birth-right, ch. xxv. 23, 33. she was confident of a happy issue
Genesis 27:27
He regarded the smell of Jacob’s garments as a token that God had intended to bless him abundantly, and to render him a particular blessing to others. 5 Ver. 28, 29. In this blessing Isaac at once requested and predicted the benefits mentioned. These temporal favours were more remarkable under the Old Testament than under the New, and represented the spiritual and temporal influences and fulness of the new covenant, and of the church of God; Hos. xiv, 6, 7. Deut. xxxii. 2. Js. xiv. 8. 1 Cor. i. 30. and iii. 22. Rev. i. 6, and v. 19, Eph. i. 3. Ver. 39, 40. This blessing imported that Esau and his seed should inhabit mount Seir, a soil then moderately fertile; Heb. xi. 20. ch. xxxvi. 6—8, that they should live much by war, violence, and rapine; Mat. x. 34; should, by David, Anniziah, and Hyrcanus, &c. be subjected to the Hebrew yoke; Deut. xxxiii
Genesis 27:29
Psal. lx. 8. 2 Sam. viii. 14. 2 Chron. xxv. 11, 12. Obad. 18, 19; but should under Jehoram cast it off; 2 Kings viii. 16, 20
Genesis 27:41
In this manner Esau hoped to recover both birthright and blessing; but Isaac, nevertheless, lived about 43 years after
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXVII.—When dimness of sight, or other harbingers of death, fasten upon us, it is high time for spiritual diligence, particularly in committing ourselves and our families to God. But even then it is hard to rectify the partial affection which we have conceived for our children. How unscathed for parents, especially if godly, to become tempters of their children to offend God, and to despise the awful curse which he hath annexed to sin! Their evil counsels are a most entangling snare; and it is nonnatural for the dearest relations to become deceivers of one another; especially as one sin so naturally lends to another still worse; and nothing but disorder, grief, or other murderous consequences, can justly be expected!—The sovereignty of God is often remarkably evident in accomplishing his great designs through means of the wicked practices of men; but the heirs of promise, notwithstanding, entail upon themselves the most fearful perplexity and trouble, in taking sinful methods to obtain their promised benefits.—With what earnestness will the most carnal men pursue after spiritual things, for the sake of the carnal advantages which they hope will attend them! But, if disappointed, readily they pervert their way, and their heart fretteth against the Lord, while with malice and murder they think to defeat the purposes of God. How readily this malice reduces to great perplexity and fear such as have been the sinful instruments of their disappointment!—Stand in awe, my soul; seek the Lord’s blessing only in his own time and method! Let lying lips be an abomination to me! Never let me despise the heavenly birthright, lest I be denied the blessing when afterward I seek it carefully with tears. Is any provoked by, or even unjustly enraged at me, let me, by yielding, pacify great offences; or, by flight escape for my safety. Perhaps what now seems base or bitter to my corrupt heart, may yield me consolation in the latter end. Let intimacy, therefore, and especially marriage-connection, with the wicked, be always the detestation of my soul