Charles Spurgeon Commentary Hebrews 11:20

"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come." — Hebrews 11:20 (ASV)

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

He was old and blind, so that he did not know which of his sons came for the first blessing, yet he could see into the future sufficiently to bless both his sons "concerning things to come."

What wondrous power there is in faith even when it is exercised by very imperfect individuals!

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

Looking into the future, although he was blind. Poor old man; lying upon his bed, with his eyes so dim that he could not tell one of his sons from another, he could still look into the future, and bless his sons concerning things to come. Oh, what sharp eyes faith has, even when the eyes of bodily vision have become dim! We may see far more by faith than we can by sight.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

It was blundering faith, for Jacob deceived his father, and Isaac himself made mistakes in giving his blessing; yet even his mistakes were all right in God's sight. It was by faith that he blessed both his sons, and therefore I gather that a faith which blunders, if it is faith in God, is an acceptable faith.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

Blind as he was, he could see more than many that have good eyes, for he had the eyes of faith. There is no end to the blessing that faith can bestow upon others. A believing man can bless his children. I believe in the blessings of good men. Why should I not?

If they are believers, they have power with God. Their wishes are prayers. Their prayers are heard. Their blessings then are realities.