Chapter Summary

Fraudulent methods of Jacob in getting Isaac's blessing. Remorse of Esau.

Discussion Questions for Genesis, Chapter 27

1. In what ways do Rebekah and Jacob demonstrate selfishness in deceptively pursuing the birthright from Isaac? Would Isaac have received the birthright anyway, trusting that God would have sovereignly made good on his promise to Abraham? How does this selfishness demonstrate a lack of trust in God's plan and provision? What are ways in which you have tried to manipulate a situation to achieve a certain outcome, resulting in pain and hostility?
2. What role does deception play in this account? Why is it important to see that lack of integrity is the root of the problem in this chapter? In what ways have you seen deception cause similar problems in your family, work, or peers?
3. What kind of family dynamic is at play here? Why do you think there is so much hostility between Rebekah, Isaac, Jacob, and Esau? How does this dynamic play into the eventual separation of the nations derived from Jacob and Esau? What negative family dynamics can you identify in your own life, and what role do you play in reversing those dynamics?
4. What is the cultural significance of the "blessing" (HCSB) from Isaac? Why is it culturally understood to go to the firstborn? How does this understanding contribute to God's intention to fulfill His promises to Abraham? How do you deal with life situations that may at first seem "unfair" to you?
5. What role does parental obedience play in this chapter? How does the cultural pressure of obeying parents contribute to Jacob's involvement in this deception? How would you practice parental obedience in a way that honors both parents and God, when confronted with an unethical command?
6. What would have happened if Isaac had given the blessing of verses 27-29 to Esau instead of Isaac? How would that have changed the narrative of the Bible and God's promise? How does this show that God redeems situations regardless of human action or activity? In what ways have you seen God redeem situations broken by deception or evil intentions?
7. How badly was the relationship broken between Jacob and Esau? How does this underscore the importance of the first "blessing" (HCSB) Isaac was to give Esau? What does this teach us about the culture of the day, and how important passing on this inheritance was? How would you respond if something of great value was taken from you, especially by someone so close?
8. What kind of blessing did Isaac eventually give to Esau? Do you think the contents of that blessing contributed to his anger toward Jacob? Why do you think that? How do you respond in disappointing seasons of life?
9. What is the significance of Rebekah saying "I'm sick of my life because of these Hittite women" (HCSB) in verse 46? We see that Esau married multiple Hittite women in chapter 26. What impact did the pagan Hittite women have on the family as a whole, and how might they have driven Esau to more anger against his family? Was this whole narrative possibly a punishment to Esau for marrying foreign women? What does this teach you about the importance of having Godly spouses and marriages?
10. How do we see the ongoing theme of God's covenantal promises in this chapter? What does this teach you about God's authority to work in spite of our sin and inabilities? How have you seen God work in your own life in spite of your sin and disobedience?

Key Words/Phrase

Supplanter, v. 36.

Characters

Isaac, Esau, Jacob, Rebekah.

Strong Verse(s)

28, 29, 33.