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Genesis 27 · a question people ask

Did God approve of how Jacob got the blessing?

In the text

Genesis doesn't say whether God approved of it. Before the twins were born, the LORD had said, "The elder will serve the younger" (25:23). In this chapter Isaac names what happened: "Your brother came with deceit" (27:35). The chapter goes on to Esau's hatred and plan to kill Jacob (27:41), and Rebekah telling Jacob to flee to Laban (27:42-45). Later Jacob himself is deceived by Laban, who gives him the older daughter in place of the younger (29:25-26).

The verses

“The LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger.””
Genesis 25:23 · World English Bible
“He said, “Your brother came with deceit, and has taken away your blessing.””
Genesis 27:35 · World English Bible
“In the morning, behold, it was Leah! He said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Didn’t I serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” Laban said, “It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn.”
Genesis 29:25-26 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Genesis 27

Genesis 27: The stolen blessing

Rebekah and Jacob deceived blind Isaac, and Jacob took the blessing meant for Esau. Isaac trembled but said, "Yes, he will be blessed." Esau said Jacob was rightly named, for he had supplanted him twice; he wept, and planned to kill his brother, and Rebekah told Jacob to flee to Laban for what she called "a few days".

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions