Genesis 27 - Esau is cheated of his blessing

I am taking this from Esau's point of view, this time.

The story of Esau giving away his birthright for a bowl of soup is taken as a slap at Esau. Perhaps it was an immature impulse. Esau certainly had no understanding of spiritual things. It seems he really does not see too far beyond what happens tomorrow.

But in chapter 27 when father Isaac promises Esau a blessing he is eager to please his dad and receive it. He seems to love his dad. Perhaps it is a reflection of his dad's love for him. Isaac loves Esau for who he is. Esau is doing what comes naturally to him. He loves the outdoors and hunting. Isaac admires that in him, So it is not hard to understand why Esau loves his dad back and want to please him.

Parents should not have favorites. But we are shown that Isaac loves Esau more than Jacob. Esau is the manly hunter while Jacob hangs around the house. Rebekah loves Jacob better. Perhaps she feels a motherly empathy for the one who is neglected.

When Esau learns he will get no blessing he weeps bitterly. He asks his father is there is no other blessing for him. This is a pathetic scene. He wishes to receive approval from his dad.

Often, even today, women cannot get their way by direct means. At the end of chapter 27 we see Rebekah inventing a reason, a good reason or it would not have worked. Rebekah is worried about Jacob's safety first of all. So Rebekah invents a reason for Jacob to be sent away. She thinks Esau truly means to kill Jacob.

Much later, 20 years later, when Jacob comes back, Esau seems to have forgotten, if not forgiven Jacob. Rebekah knew her son well. He did get over his rage at Jacob. Why?

I think it is because they both have grown in possessions. The lack of the blessing does not seem to have hurt Esau. God seems to have blessed them both equally.

Isaac's blessing seems to be for the future generations. Esau does not seem to have a personal relationship with God. Over the past 20 years God has established a relationship with Jacob. We do not know but it does not seem God has done the same for Esau. But it seems Esau is only concerned about this life and for possessions only. So he is not concerned about the lost blessing anymore.

Esau major flaw is that he has not sought after God. God gives the blessings and Esau in interested only in the blessings. He is not interested in God. Jacob has come to value God at least as much as the possessions that God gives him. Jacob comes to have a much better understanding of God and his world.