How Did Rebekah Influence Jacob to Receive Esau’s Blessing?
Rebekah plays a decisive role in one of the most pivotal episodes in the Book of Genesis—the transfer of Isaac’s blessing from Esau, the firstborn, to Jacob, the younger son. Genesis 27 reveals a complicated family dynamic shaped by prophecy, favoritism, secrecy, and divine purpose. Rebekah’s actions are central to ensuring that Jacob—rather than Esau—receives the blessing of the firstborn.
Understanding Rebekah’s influence requires exploring the prophetic background, her motivations, her strategy, and how the episode fits within God’s overarching plan.
1. The Background: God’s Prophecy and Family Favoritism
A. God’s Prophetic Word to Rebekah (Genesis 25:23)
While Rebekah was pregnant with twins, God told her:
“The older shall serve the younger.”
This prophecy revealed God’s sovereign choice of Jacob as the covenant heir. Unlike cultural norms where the firstborn received the blessing, God established a reversal.
Rebekah never forgot this prophecy.
B. A House Divided
Genesis 25:28 reveals the internal tension:
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Isaac favored Esau, the skilled hunter.
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Rebekah favored Jacob, the quiet and thoughtful son.
This favoritism set the stage for conflict, because Isaac later sought to bless Esau—contrary to God’s revealed plan.
2. Rebekah Overheard Isaac’s Intent to Bless Esau (Genesis 27:5–7)
When Isaac was old and nearly blind, he called Esau privately to bless him. Rebekah overheard the conversation:
“Bring me game and prepare delicious food… that my soul may bless you before I die.”
Immediately Rebekah recognized that Isaac intended to give the sacred, covenantal blessing to Esau. From her perspective:
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Isaac was disregarding God’s prophecy.
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A critical family turning point was at hand.
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She needed to act quickly.
3. Rebekah Took Initiative and Devised a Strategy (Genesis 27:8–10)
Rebekah urgently summoned Jacob and outlined a plan:
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She would prepare a meal Isaac loved.
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Jacob would bring it to Isaac.
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Jacob would pretend to be Esau.
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Isaac would bless Jacob instead.
She said:
“Obey my voice… I will prepare the food.”
Rebekah’s influence here shows:
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Leadership: She took responsibility for directing the household.
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Decisiveness: She acted immediately upon hearing Isaac’s plan.
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Belief in God’s prophecy: She sought to align events with God’s earlier revelation.
4. She Persuaded Jacob Despite His Reluctance (Genesis 27:11–13)
Jacob hesitated—not because of moral concerns, but because of practical risk:
“My brother Esau is hairy… I am a smooth man.”
“I shall seem to be mocking him and bring a curse on myself.”
Rebekah assured him:
“Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice.”
Her influence reflects:
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Determination: She was committed to seeing the prophecy fulfilled.
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Protectiveness: She was willing to bear consequences for Jacob.
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Authority: Jacob trusted her guidance and obeyed.
5. She Prepared the Meal and Disguise (Genesis 27:14–17)
Rebekah’s plan was meticulous:
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She cooked Isaac’s favorite dish.
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She dressed Jacob in Esau’s clothes.
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She covered Jacob’s hands and neck with goat skins to imitate Esau’s hairiness.
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She placed the food and bread in Jacob’s hands.
Her detailed preparation ensured the deception would be convincing.
Her influence is seen in:
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Skill (she understood Isaac’s preferences),
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Resourcefulness,
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Strategic planning,
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Deep involvement in every step.
Rebekah did not simply suggest a plan—she executed it.
6. She Positioned Jacob to Receive the Blessing (Genesis 27:18–29)
Rebekah sent Jacob to Isaac with full confidence that her plan would succeed. Jacob carried out her instructions:
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He presented the meal.
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He answered Isaac’s probing questions.
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Isaac felt the goat skins and smelled Esau’s clothing.
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Isaac blessed Jacob with the covenant blessing—land, prosperity, and dominion.
Everything Rebekah orchestrated led directly to this moment.
7. She Acted Again to Protect Jacob After the Blessing (Genesis 27:41–45)
When Esau vowed to kill Jacob for taking the blessing, Rebekah intervened once more:
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She warned Jacob of Esau’s anger.
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She advised him to flee to her brother Laban.
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She persuaded Isaac to send Jacob away under the pretext of finding a godly wife.
Her influence preserved Jacob’s life and positioned him for God’s continued guidance.
8. Evaluating Rebekah’s Actions: Faith, Flaws, and God’s Plan
Rebekah’s influence in securing Jacob’s blessing is complex:
A. She acted in faith.
She remembered God’s prophecy and sought to ensure Jacob received the covenant blessing.
B. She acted out of flawed methods.
Her deception created family pain and long-term separation.
C. God used her actions despite the flaws.
Scripture consistently affirms that Jacob was God’s chosen heir, and the blessing rightly belonged to him.
D. Her leadership shaped redemptive history.
Without her intervention:
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Jacob might not have received the blessing,
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Isaac might have blessed Esau,
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and the covenant line would have taken a different course.
Yet God sovereignly worked through her to fulfill His purposes.
9. The Larger Theological Significance
Rebekah’s role illustrates key biblical truths:
1. God’s sovereign will prevails.
Even human schemes cannot thwart or derail His plan.
2. God often uses unexpected people.
Rebekah, not Isaac, aligned herself with God’s revelation.
3. God’s choices sometimes challenge cultural norms.
He chose the younger over the older.
4. Human weakness does not block divine faithfulness.
Despite deception and family dysfunction, God’s promise moved forward.
Conclusion: Rebekah’s Influence Was Pivotal and Multi-Faceted
Rebekah shaped Jacob’s reception of the blessing through:
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heeding God’s prophecy,
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acting decisively,
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strategizing the plan,
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persuading Jacob,
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preparing the disguise and meal,
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ensuring the blessing was pronounced,
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and protecting Jacob afterward.
Her influence is a blend of courage, initiative, maternal devotion, and imperfect execution. Yet in God’s providence, her efforts became the means by which Jacob became the covenant heir, continuing the line that would one day lead to the nation of Israel—and ultimately to Jesus Christ.