What Plan Did Rebekah Devise to Help Jacob Receive the Blessing?
The story of Jacob receiving Isaac’s blessing is one of the most pivotal and dramatic moments in Genesis. Central to the narrative is Rebekah’s strategic intervention, which ensured that Jacob—not Esau—received the covenantal blessing intended to continue the line of Abraham. Her plan was bold, risky, and controversial, yet it aligned with the prophetic revelation God had given her before the twins were born.
Rebekah’s scheme in Genesis 27 was carefully constructed, unfolding in multiple stages, each demonstrating her intelligence, decisiveness, and deep commitment to God’s earlier promise.
1. The Context: Isaac’s Secret Plan to Bless Esau
Before understanding Rebekah’s plan, we must see the circumstances that prompted it.
Isaac was old, blind, and nearing death. He secretly called Esau and said:
“Prepare me the savory food I love, so that I may bless you before I die.”
—Genesis 27:4
This was problematic because:
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God had already declared that the older (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob).
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Esau had despised his birthright.
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Esau’s marriages grieved Rebekah, demonstrating his lack of spiritual maturity.
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Isaac’s plan to bless Esau was done quietly, without involving Rebekah or Jacob.
Rebekah overheard the conversation and recognized that Isaac was about to act against God’s revealed will. Her response was immediate and decisive.
2. Rebekah’s Motivation Behind the Plan
Rebekah’s actions were driven by several deep convictions:
1. Fidelity to God’s prophecy
She remembered God’s words:
“The older will serve the younger.” (Genesis 25:23)
2. Recognizing Jacob’s spiritual character
Jacob valued the covenant; Esau did not.
3. Protecting the covenant line
She believed that the blessing belonged to Jacob according to God’s purpose.
4. Isaac’s emotional favoritism
Isaac’s love for Esau and his desire for Esau’s savory food may have blinded him to God’s clear choice.
Thus, Rebekah acted not simply out of favoritism, but out of a conviction that she must protect the spiritual destiny of the chosen son.
3. Step One of the Plan: Preparing the Meal
Rebekah told Jacob:
“Go to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare the food your father loves.”
—Genesis 27:9
This step was crucial because the entire plan depended on deceiving Isaac’s palate.
Rebekah knew:
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Exactly how Isaac liked his meat
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How to replicate Esau’s cooking
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How to act quickly while Esau was still out hunting
Her ability to imitate Esau’s meal was the foundation of the deception.
4. Step Two: Dressing Jacob in Esau’s Clothes
Isaac’s blindness created an opportunity—but he still relied on his senses of touch and smell.
Rebekah addressed this by bringing out Esau’s best garments, kept in the household.
She dressed Jacob in:
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Esau’s clothes, so Isaac would smell Esau’s scent
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Goat skins on his hands and neck, so he would feel hairy like Esau
This was an ingenious solution to Jacob’s concern:
“Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man.”
—Genesis 27:11
Rebekah’s plan intentionally targeted all of Isaac’s senses:
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Taste: The meal
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Smell: Esau’s garments
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Touch: Goat skins
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Sound: Jacob would imitate Esau’s tone
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Sight: Isaac could not see
5. Step Three: Coaching Jacob and Sending Him In
Rebekah commanded Jacob:
“Obey my voice.” (Genesis 27:13)
She took full responsibility for:
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The deception
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The consequences
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Any curse that might fall on Jacob if caught
This shows the depth of her conviction that God’s plan must be upheld—even at personal risk.
Jacob entered Isaac’s tent carrying:
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The prepared food
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Bread Rebekah made
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The wine
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The disguise carefully arranged by his mother
Everything had been orchestrated down to the smallest detail.
6. Step Four: Ensuring Jacob Received the Blessing
Isaac was initially suspicious:
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“The voice is Jacob’s voice” (v. 22)
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“How did you find it so quickly?” (v. 20)
But because Rebekah’s plan addressed all sensory checks, Isaac ultimately became convinced.
He ate the meal, touched Jacob’s disguised skin, smelled Esau’s clothing, and blessed Jacob:
“May God give you the dew of heaven and the fatness of the earth…
Nations shall serve you…
Be lord over your brothers.”
—Genesis 27:27–29
This blessing was:
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Irreversible
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Spiritually authoritative
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In line with God’s prophecy
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Given to Jacob instead of Esau
Rebekah’s plan achieved its intended purpose.
7. Step Five: Protecting Jacob After the Deception
When Esau returned and discovered the deceit, he vowed to kill Jacob.
Rebekah immediately devised a second plan:
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She sent Jacob to her brother Laban
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She protected Jacob’s life
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She ensured he would find a godly wife
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She gave Isaac a reason for Jacob’s departure (disapproval of Esau’s wives)
Her influence guided Jacob until he was safely out of danger and placed in a position to continue the covenant line.
8. The Outcome of Rebekah’s Plan
Rebekah’s plan had lasting effects:
Positive outcomes:
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Jacob received the covenant blessing
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God’s prophecy was fulfilled
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The Abrahamic line continued through Jacob
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Jacob became the father of the twelve tribes of Israel
Negative consequences:
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Jacob was forced into exile
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He suffered years under Laban
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Rebekah never saw Jacob again
Her decision was costly, but it ultimately aligned with God’s sovereign plan.
Conclusion: What Plan Did Rebekah Devise?
Rebekah devised a five-part strategic plan to ensure Jacob received the blessing meant for God’s chosen heir:
1. Prepare a meal that mimicked Esau’s cooking.
2. Dress Jacob in Esau’s clothing and disguise him with goat skins.
3. Coach Jacob on what to say and send him to Isaac.
4. Help Jacob overcome Isaac’s suspicions so the blessing would be given.
5. Protect Jacob afterward by sending him to Laban.
Her plan displayed:
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Deep maternal devotion
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Strong faith in God’s prophecy
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Quick thinking and intelligence
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A willingness to act decisively
Though imperfect in method, Rebekah’s motives aligned with God’s revealed will, and her plan shaped the future of Israel.