A Father’s Blessing

We come to a passage where the concept of a father’s blessing and its importance is a little outside of our understanding in our culture. Therefore it is important for us to explore what it meant in that time and culture so that we have a better understanding of what is going on. Then we are able to see the things God wants us to see through this passage and see how that applies to us today.

Read Genesis 27:1-29

So let’s first answer that question about what is the father’s blessing. From Tim Keller’s study guide on Genesis, first, we can see in verse 4 when Isaac states “before I die” and verses 28-29 that the blessing is something like a last-will and testament. He is giving the son authority in the family after he dies. Secondly, the Bible regards the father’s words as having a genuine power of their own, beyond anything like what we know in a “last will”. Thirdly, the Bible seems to expect that the patriarchs would have prophetic foresight on their deathbeds. The blessing thus seems not to be legal action (e.g. “you will rule your brothers”) or deep affirmation and ordination (e.g. “you will live by the sword”) but rather a kind of accurate foretelling.

As we read this story, we see that Jacob and his mother Rebekah are acting in a very deceptive and deceiving way. How can a blessing from Isaac be just given away like that and how does God honor this type of action. This does not make sense at all to modern readers. Since Jacob came so fraudulently, wouldn’t the agreement be null and void. This is where we have to come back to God’s mercy, grace and sovereignty. We have to understand that the Biblical blessing cannot be reduced to just a legal action nor to just a magical ‘word of power’ or something of that nature. It is a very complex composite of legal action and deep mental shaping and prophetic insight into the future. Isaac’s blessing of Jacob is therefore something that really could not be revoked. It was partially the prophetic insight that he received, and it was partly the deep symbolic affirmation and shaping act. The power of the blessing is real and substantial and comes from God (27:7). It immediately goes into effect. Such a moment cannot be revoked.

It is significant that the New Testament calls us to “bless” others (cf. Romans12:14). This is not using the term in the sentimental way it is often used today. “To be a blessing” usually means our actions bring someone comfort or joy. “To bless” verbally is a ministry to others which has some of the elements of these patriarchal death-bed blessings. To bless means to offer deep insight into what a person needs to be and can be, and then to offer powerful words and gestures affirming and encouraging them to become that.

So take some time and ask are you “blessing” others around you. Who do you think God is putting in your life to bless?