A Single Blessing of the Firstborn
Gen 27 records that Isaac had grown old, and his eyes were dim so he could not see well. At that time, Isaac was about 136 years old, and Jacob was around 76 years old (Gen 27:1).
Knowing that his death was near, Isaac called for his firstborn son Esau and told him to prepare his favourite savory dish so that he might eat and bless him before he died (Gen 27:4). However, Isaac’s wife Rebekah overheard this and told Jacob to put on Esau’s clothes, cover himself with the skins of young goats, and take the dish she had prepared to his father so that he might receive the blessing instead (Gen 27:15-17).
Since Isaac could not see well, he noticed that the voice sounded like Jacob’s, yet the hands felt like Esau’s. Because Jacob’s hands were covered with goat’s hair, Isaac did not recognize him and ended up blessing Jacob. Verse 23 especially says, “He did not recognize him, and blessed him.” (Gen 27:22-23)
However, Hebrews 11 records that Isaac blessed Jacob by faith (Heb 11:20).
Can a person act by faith without knowing? The first question we must consider is this: “Can someone act by faith or bless by faith without knowing?” Many people think that even if they do not understand, they can still believe. Some even argue that such “blind faith” is greater faith. However, the Bible clearly teaches that faith comes from hearing the Word of Christ (Rom 10:17).
The Greek word used here for “hearing” is ‘akoe’, which means not only “to hear a sound” but also “to understand and perceive what is heard.” (Matt 13:9)
After telling the Parable of the Sower, Jesus said, “He who has ears, let him hear.” He wasn’t addressing people without physical ear-He meant, “Understand and perceive the meaning of what you hear.”
Faith that acts without understanding can easily crumble under persecution or hardship. Because the word faith itself implies something unchanging, a “changing faith” is not faith at all-it is unbelief. Therefore, acting by faith without understanding is impossible.
- How should we understand Isaac’s blessing?
- Initially, Isaac blessed Jacob “unknowingly” (Gen 27:23)
The Hebrew for “did not recognize” is “lo hikkiro”. Lo means never, and hikkiro is the intensive causative form (Hiphil) of the verb nakhar, meaning to discern, to examine carefully. Thus, it literally means, “He did not discern carefully” or “He failed to examine closely.” Isaac did not diligently confirm the situation-he simply touched Jacob’s hands, felt the hair, and blessed him without further inquiry.
- Later, Isaac blessed Jacob “through faith.”
Initially, Isaac wanted to give the blessing of the firstborn to Esau. The Bible explains why (Gen 25:28). The Hebrew word for “loved” here is “ahav”, a word that can express many forms of love-from divine to human relationship. However, Gen 25:28 clearly states that Isaac loved Esau because of his appetite-not because of any covenantal or spiritual reason. His affection was rooted in personal attachment, not in God’s will.
But when Isaac unknowingly gave the blessing to Jacob, he later realized that God’s will had been fulfilled through it. When Esau begged him for the same blessing, Isaac could have easily repeated similar words. Yet instead Isaac declared with conviction (Gen 27:33). The phrase “trembled violently” translates the Hebrew word (harad) used twice in the verse. It means “to tremble”, “to quake:, or “to shudder in fear or awe.”
It is the same word used in Isa 66:5, where it describes those who tremble at the Word of the Lord (Isa 66:5). Therefore, Issac’s trembling was not out of danger at being deceived, but out of holy fear and reverence before God. Isaac suddenly trembled before God because he remembered the word that the LORD had spoken concerning Jacob and Esau (Gen 25:23).
Isaac, who had been blinded by his affection for Esau, suddenly recalled God’s word and realized that he had been on the verge of blessing against God’s will. Seeing that God’s providence had prevailed despite his own intentions, Isaac was filled with holy fear and reverence. His spiritual eyes were opened, and he understood that it was God’s will for Jacob to receive the blessing of the firstborn. Thus, he reaffirmed by faith: “Yes, he shall be blessed.” (Gen 27:37)
- There is only one firstborn whom God acknowledges (Gen 27:36)
Esau asked, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?” He was not asking whether there were leftover blessings. According to the law, the firstborn received a double portion, but the younger sons were also blessed. Esau’s question was essentially: “Can my brother’s blessing be revoked so that I may be restored as the firstborn?”
But Isaac could not undo what God had ordained. Instead of blessing Esau, he pronounced words that sounded more like prophetic judgement (Gen 27:39-40).
Can’t both Jacob and Esau be the firstborn?
Heb 12:23 says that there is “the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven.” Jesus Christ is the true Firstborn, and all who believe in Him are counted among the firstborn.
Then wouldn’t it be good if Esau could also be included? The answer is no, because Esau cannot belong among the firstborn. Heb 12:17 says Esau found no place for repentance In Scripture, God always forgives His people when they truly repent. There is, however, one sin that cannot be forgiven-blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:31).
Our founding pastor once explained that this sin refers to those who receive the Word and grace, but later reject and betray it. Such betrayal cannot be forgiven. Thus, while there is a “congregation of the firstborn” gathered in heaven, there are also those who, like Esau, cannot belong among them.
The blessing of the firstborn belongs only to Jacob. Esau can never be the firstborn. May all of us become spiritual Jacobs, who guard the birthright, receive the full blessing of the firstborn, and fulfil God’s will in our generation. In the name of the Lord, I bless you.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 