Free Bible Commentary
“Genesis 27:41-46”
Categories: Genesis“So Esau bore a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him; and Esau said to himself, 'The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.' Now when the words of her elder son Esau were reported to Rebekah, she sent and called her younger son Jacob, and said to him, 'Behold your brother Esau is consoling himself concerning you by planning to kill you. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice, and arise, flee to Haran, to my brother Laban! Stay with him a few days, until your brother’s fury subsides, until your brother’s anger against you subsides and he forgets what you did to him. Then I will send and get you from there. Why should I be bereaved of you both in one day?' Rebekah said to Isaac, 'I am tired of living because of the daughters of Heth; if Jacob takes a wife from the daughters of Heth, like these, from the daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?'”
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“So Esau bore a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing...” (verse 41) Nothing good ever comes from hating another human being and harboring resentment against them, even though Esau's animosity is understandable in this case. Not excusable but understandable. The Hebrews writer warns of the dangers of personal rancor and uses Esau as the prime example of the damage that grudge-bearing can do. “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.” (Hebrews 12:14-16) When bitterness takes root in the human heart, it never remains there. It corrupts and consumes its primary host, and its ripple effect “causes trouble” far and wide, and “many” are “defiled” thereby.
“The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” (verse 41) Esau purposed to bide his time out of respect and do no harm to his brother while his father was living. But, he “said to himself”—that is to say—he had already completely made up his mind. He would kill Jacob when the opportunity presented itself because of the stolen blessing that he valued more than his own brother's precious life. His hatred was so deeply rooted and consummate that he made the determination to commit the most heinous of all crimes and sins—premeditated murder. This sin is such an affront to God's holiness that He had declared from the time the waters of the Flood had subsided that whoever shed the blood of one created in His image must have his life snuffed out as well. And even though Esau would turn from his murderous intentions in the course of time, he had already killed his brother in his heart. “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15).
“The words of her elder son Esau were reported to Rebekah...” (verse 42) The thoughts and intentions of the heart rarely remain buried in the mind's recesses for very long. Eventually Esau unveiled the murderous passion burning deep within him to a close confidant who, in turn, warned Rebekah of the impending disaster looming for both of her sons. “Behold your brother Esau is consoling himself concerning you by planning to kill you.” Lost within the deep, brooding anger and hatred of his heart, Esau thought killing his brother would somehow bring him satisfaction and consolation for his loss. Oh how twisted are the thoughts of those who have their purposes bent upon vengeance! “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. 'But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:19-21)
“Stay with him a few days, until your brother’s fury subsides.” (verse 44) Rebekah, ever the figure large and in charge, ordered Jacob to “flee to Haran, to my brother Laban!” (verse 43) This was an issue of her own making so she no doubt felt responsibility for providing safe refuge for her beloved Jacob until hurricane Esau blew over. Of course, she was only fooling herself when she suggested that this situation would resolve itself in just “a few days.” Little did she know that when she sent her favorite son away for a little while that she would likely never lay eyes on him again.
“Why should I be bereaved of you both in one day?” (verse 45) “The expression seems to be a reference to the custom of blood-revenge, as in 2 Samuel 14:7. The life of the murderer would be required by the family. He must either be banished from the family, or judicially put to death. In either case the parents would be 'bereaved of both.' Or, possibly, 'you both' refers to Isaac, her husband, and Jacob, her favourite son. On the day of Isaac’s death, Esau intended to slay Jacob.” (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) I personally believe that her fear was that Esau's life would be justly taken for taking the life of his brother, who was foolish but not deserving of death.
“Rebekah said to Isaac, 'I am tired of living because of the daughters of Heth; if Jacob takes a wife from the daughters of Heth, like these, from the daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?'” (verse 36) Rebekah, ever the resourceful thinker, devised a two-for-one special in sending Jacob to the home of her brother. He would escape the savage wrath of his brother Esau, and he could find a wife from among his own people. A win-win proposal to say the least! At least that's what she thought!!!
Please read Genesis 28:1-5 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
