Matthew Henry Commentary Genesis 27:6-17

Matthew Henry Commentary

Genesis 27:6-17

1662–1714
Presbyterian
Matthew Henry
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry Commentary

Genesis 27:6-17

1662–1714
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying, Bring me venison, and make me savory food, that I may eat, and bless thee before Jehovah before my death. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee. Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats. And I will make them savory food for thy father, such as he loveth. And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, so that he may bless thee before his death. And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver. And I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing. And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son. Only obey my voice, and go fetch me them. And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother. And his mother made savory food, such as his father loved. And Rebekah took the goodly garments of Esau her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son. And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck. And she gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob." — Genesis 27:6-17 (ASV)

Rebekah knew that the blessing was intended for Jacob, and expected he would have it. But she wronged Isaac by deceiving him; she wronged Jacob by tempting him to wickedness. She put a stumbling-block in Esau's way, and gave him a pretext for hatred toward Jacob and religion.

All were to be blamed. It was one of those devious methods often adopted to further the divine promises, as if the end would justify or excuse wrong means. Thus many have acted wrongly, under the idea of being useful in promoting the cause of Christ. The answer to all such things is that which God addressed to Abraham: I am God Almighty; walk before me and be perfect.

And it was a very rash speech of Rebekah: Upon me be your curse, my son. Christ has borne the curse of the law for all who take upon themselves the yoke of the command—the command of the gospel. But it is too daring for any creature to say, Upon me be your curse.