Why did Isaac prefer Esau over Jacob? It is commonly understood that Isaac could bless only one of his two sons, either Jacob or Esau, but not both. Should this understanding be correct, then indeed Isaac's choice of Esau over Jacob is quite disturbing.

However, if Isaac actually planed to bless both of his sons, then his blessing of Esau first may actually make a lot of sense.

We have seen the process of 'election' and YHVH's choice of Abraham and his offspring to become His special nation. We discussed how YHVH had promised Abraham numerous times that his offspring ('seed') would become a great nation in a special land. Even though each promise added a special dimension, each one repeated in one form or other the same key phrase

"To your offspring, I have given this land" (Gen 12:7, 13:15, 15:18, 17:8)

Although these divine blessings suggest that this nation was to emerge from all of Abraham's offspring, YHVH informed Abraham that only Isaac, his son from Sarah, had been chosen to fulfill this destiny:

"For it is only through Isaac that there shall be called for you 'seed' (your offspring)." (Gen 21:12)

YHVH Himself later confirmed this blessing on Isaac, when He instructing him not to leave the land during a time of famine:

"Reside in this land and I will bless you... for I will assign all this land to you and to your offspring." (Gen 26:2-5)

What will happen with Isaac's children? Will only one of his children be chosen, as was true in the case of Abraham, or will all of his offspring be chosen?

Considering that the reason for YHVH's selection of Abraham was in order that his offspring become a nation (Gen 12:1-2) this 'filtering' process of choosing only one son over others could not continue forever. Should only one 'favorite son' be chosen in each generation, a nation could obviously never develop. Sooner or later, this 'filtering process' had to end.

Thanks to our 20/20 hindsight, we know that this process ended after three generations. (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) However, to the 'Fathers' themselves, this specific point concerning when this "selection" process would end, may have been unclear.

We can see that there was no apparent reason for Isaac to assume that only one son was to be chosen and the other rejected. Unlike Isaac and Ishmael, who came from different mothers, both Jacob and Esau were born from the same mother. In fact, they were twins! Therefore, it was only logical for us to presume that Isaac expected that both Jacob and Esau would be chosen.

Furthermore, even if there was some divine reason to choose only one son, it should be YHVH's choice and not Isaac's! After all, up until this point, YHVH alone had been involved in this selection process. He chose Abraham, and He alone had chosen Isaac over Abraham's other children. Without a specific divine command, why would Isaac even consider making such a decision?

However, if indeed both Jacob and Esau were considered chosen, why did Isaac intend to bless only one of them?

 

"Blessing" or "selecting?"
We must differentiate between two basic types of blessings found in the book of Genesis. One is through a verbal selection and the other through prophetic blessing.

 

Selection - Election
We'll use the word selection to describe YHVH's blessing of "seed and land" to the Fathers, being chosen to become the forefathers of His special nation. Selection implies that only one son is chosen, and that all other children are rejected. This process began with YHVH's choice of Abraham and continued with His choice of Isaac over Ishmael.

 

Prophetic Blessing

We will use the term prophetic blessing to describe a Biblical blessing of personal destiny (prosperity, power), given by the father to his sons. For example, Noah bestowed a blessing on each of his three sons. (Gen 9:24-27) He did not choose one son to become a special nation. Rather, he blessed (or cursed) each son based on his potential.

The classic example of blessing (as opposed to selection) is found when Jacob, prior to his death, blessed each of his twelve sons. (Gen 49:1-28) In those blessings, Jacob was not choosing which of his children will become YHVH's special nation. Rather, he bestowed a blessing of personal destiny on each son, by the inspiration of Ruach Hakodesh, according to each son's character and potential (Gen 49:28).

According to these definitions, the blessing is typically bestowed by the father, while selection is bestowed by YHVH.

 

Isaac's Blessing for Esau

What is the nature of the blessing which Isaac intended to give Esau? Is it a blessing of Blessing or Selection?

Considering that there was no reason for Isaac to choose only one son, we should expect that the nature of his intended blessing for Esau was to be a Blessing and not Selection.

This can be confirmed as we examine the actual blessing which Isaac gave to Esau but which Jacob took by trickery:

"May YHVH give you of the dew of heaven and the fat of the land, and an abundance of grain and wine. Other nations shall serve you, and bow down to you. Be master over your brother, and let your mother's sons bow down to you ..." (Gen 27:28-29)

This blessing is a classic example of a prophetic blessing, for it promises prosperity and leadership. It was not a "divine selection" blessing, for it did not contain the phrase of "seed and land." This blessing is similar to the blessings of prosperity and leadership which Jacob himself later bestowed upon Judah (Gen 49:8) and Joseph. (Gen 49:25-26)

Did Isaac intend to bestow the blessing only on Esau? Why couldn't both sons be blessed?

 

The Right Man for the Job

Isaac expected that both his children will become 'the nation of Israel' (or 'the nation of Isaac'). However, realizing that he was aging, and understanding that in order for his children to become a nation they must have a leader, Isaac had to appoint one of his sons as the family leader.

For this job, Esau - the man of the world (Gen 25:27) - seemed to be the more suitable one. Jacob & Esau were over sixty years old, Esau was married with children, had a job, and could take care of himself and others; while Jacob was still single, and 'living at home.' Hence, Isaac's choice of Esau to become the family provider and leader was quite logical.

Undoubtedly, Isaac had a blessing in store for Jacob as well - most probably a blessing of spiritual leadership. Jacob - the man of the book (Gen 25:27) - could provide the family with spiritual guidance. The fact that Isaac called upon Esau, his eldest, to receive his blessing first, does not mean that he did not intend to bless Jacob afterward. (In a later story Jacob first blessed Joseph, and only afterward blessed the rest of his children).

So what went wrong? Why did Rebekah intervene? Why did Jacob 'steal' Esau's blessing? Was Rebekah simply jealous for her 'favorite son,' or did she perceive the situation differently?

 

Rebekah Knew Best

Rebekah knew something that Isaac didn't! Recall that when she was pregnant with Jacob and Esau, she sensed a struggle, and prayed to YHVH for an explanation. (Gen 25:22)

YHVH's answer to her (not to Isaac!) explained that the selection process had not yet ended:

"And YHVH answered her saying: There are two nations in your womb, and two separate peoples shall issue from your body; one people shall be mightier than the other, and the older shall serve the younger." (Gen 25:23)

Because of this prophecy, Rebekah knew something that Isaac did not - that her twins were destined to become two different nations, and hence, only one of them could be chosen. Realizing this, and knowing from that same prophecy that it must be the younger brother (Gen 25:23) Rebekah knew that Jacob was destined to receive the election blessing, and not Esau.

Isaac, however, was unaware of this prophecy. It is not clear why Rebekah never told him of it. She may have assumed that Isaac also knew, and only later realized that he didn't. Or, she may have thought that it was YHVH's intention for only her to know, and not Isaac. Whatever the reason was, as the children grew up, each parent had a different perception of their destiny. Isaac assumed that both were chosen while Rebekah knew that it will only be Jacob.

 

Rebekah's Dilemma

Rebekah, overhearing Isaac's intention to bless Esau, (Gen 27:5) had a real problem.

Did Isaac plan to bless Esau with the election? If so, she must act quickly, for the future of the Nation of Israel rested on her shoulders.
Did Isaac think that both children were chosen? Was he giving a blessing of leadership to Esau? The result of this blessing could also be disastrous!
Could Rebekah just go over and tell Isaac that he was making a mistake? Was it too late? Will he listen? Would he be willing now, after so many years, to change his perception?

Rebekah had limited time to act, yet she felt responsible to the prophecy which she received so long ago, and obligated to 'do something'. In her eyes, this was why YHVH had originally granted her this knowledge. Unfortunately, however, Rebekah resorted to trickery to make sure that Jacob will receive the blessing instead.

 

Isaac's Blessings

After Isaac gave Jacob (thinking that he was Esau) the blessing of prosperity and leadership, the real Esau arrived and begged his father for another blessing. (Gen 27:34,36) Isaac's first reaction was that the special blessing which he intended for Esau (prosperity and power) had already been given to Jacob. (Gen 27:35,37) There was no other blessing for Esau, for he was obviously not suitable to receive the spiritual blessing intended for Jacob. However, since Isaac still assumed that both sons were chosen, in the end he was able to grant Esau another blessing instead.

This extra blessing included prosperity, for this could be shared by both brothers. (Gen 27:38-39) However, since the blessing of leadership (27:29) could only be given to one son, Isaac told Esau that he would be able to obtain this blessing only should Jacob fall. (Gen 27:40)

What about the election? When did Isaac find out the 'truth?'

 

Clearing the Air

Undoubtedly, at the conclusion of this entire episode, Rebekah had to explained her actions to her husband. Upon hearing the details of YHVH's prophecy to Rebekah, Isaac finally realized that only one son, Jacob, was chosen and that the election process had to continue into the next generation.

For that reason, before Jacob departed for Padan Aram in search of a wife, Isaac granted him another blessing. Here, we find the classic blessing of selection:

"May YHVH grant the blessing of Abraham (election) to you and your 'seed' (offspring), that you may inherit the 'land' which Elohim has given to Abraham..." (Gen 28:4)

Once again we find the key phrase - "seed and land" - indicating the election blessing! This blessing is quite different from the original blessing which Isaac first intended to give Esau. (Gen 27:28-29) In contrast to a blessing of prosperity and power, we now find the familiar concept of YHVH's special nation inheriting a special land.

But... how could Isaac grant a blessing of election - was it not YHVH's decision? The answer -- Isaac was not granting Jacob the blessing of election. He was simply blessing him that YHVH should grant him this election. And that's exactly what took place a few verses later. (Gen 28:3)

 

Example And Admonition (Instruction)

 

"Now, all these things happened unto them for example: And they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come". (I Corinthians 10:11)

Regardless of Isaac and Rebekah's behavior, a more fundamental question remains: Why did the selection process have to be so complicated? Why was it that at the very inception of Israel's history trickery had to be employed for Israel to achieve their divine destiny?

This is a difficult question to answer, which carries an important message concerning leadership.

Indeed, to become a leader, there are times that 'aggressive' qualities are needed. However, the spiritual aspect must be it's foundation. Therefore, to secure that position, it was necessary for Jacob to first 'put on' the 'hands of Esau'.
To establish YHVH's will on earth, we must have 'zeal' according to (Spiritual - Biblical) knowledge. (Rom 10:2) Even though many situations in our life may arise when we must don the 'hands of Esav' - still, our dominant trait must always remain that of the 'voice of Jacob'.