Genesis 27:1-4

The Blessing of Esau and Jacob (Genesis 26:34 to Genesis 27:45).

This passage was recorded in writing because it records the blessings given to Jacob and Esau which were in the nature of a binding covenant that could not be changed. They thus testified to the will of Isaac as declared in those blessings. Such a solemn blessing, made with death in view, was often looked on as most sacred and irreversible (compare Deuteronomy 23). That is how Isaac clearly saw it (Genesis 27:33).

‘And it happened that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his elder son and said to him, “My son.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” And he said, “Look, I am now old, I do not know the day of my death. Now therefore I pray you, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out into the open country and take me venison, and make me savoury meat such as I love and bring it to me that I may eat it, that my soul may bless you before I die.” '

“When Isaac was old.” We do not know his age at this time but it was before Jacob married. As Esau and Jacob were born when Isaac was ‘sixty' and Esau married at ‘forty', and has clearly been married some time, Isaac is well over a hundred years old. But sadly he has gone blind. Yet he certainly oversees the family tribe until Jacob returns, probably through a faithful steward with the help of Rebekah his very capable wife. As we do not know when Jacob married we do not know how long after Esau's marriages this incident takes place.

But this is a solemn moment. Isaac feels he is near death and determines that he will give his deathbed blessing to Esau. (That he was in fact wrong about being near death comes out subsequently - Genesis 35:27; Genesis 35:29). This is no ordinary event. By it the ancients thought that he would officially determine Esau's future. The news that this was to happen would quickly circulate round the camp. Deathbed words were considered to be especially effective, and even prophetic, and were treated very seriously. (See Genesis 48:1 etc; Deuteronomy 33:1 etc; 2 Samuel 23:1 etc).

So in order to prepare himself and put himself in the right state of body and mind, and in order to bind Esau to him by receiving gifts from his hand, Isaac asks his son to use his talents to bring him the food that he loves, wild game, possibly venison from the wild deer, properly cooked by Esau himself and ready for eating. This was clearly one of Esau's recognised talents.

From what follows we will see that this was not only preparatory but part of the process of blessing. The meal will bond them in preparation for the blessing.