Genesis 27:30Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Who can fail to be amazed by the incomprehensible providence of God? Just as Esau returned from his hunt, the divine plan had been fulfilled, with Jacob having received his father’s blessing and already on his way. This truth is echoed by the blessed Moses when he notes that as soon as Isaac blessed Jacob and Jacob left his presence, Esau arrived from his hunt. Observe how, following Jacob’s departure, Esau came immediately—not by chance, but so that he might unknowingly bring food and learn from his father the entire unfolding of the events. Had he found his brother earlier, he may have reacted in anger and sought to kill him; had he wished to do so afterward, his wrath would have likely grown during the very occurrence. Yet, it was the mighty hand of God that shielded the boy, deeming him deserving of the blessing while depriving Esau of both the benediction and the birthright.

What constitutes deception? The latter of the two approaches in the evening, delivering what the father has commanded, and discovers his brother favored in his position, yet is not granted another blessing. This single blessing signifies the oneness of the Church. Conversely, they symbolize two distinct nations (cf. Gen. 25:23) … connected to Jacob. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who came for both Jews and Gentiles, was not acknowledged by the Jews as belonging to the firstborn.

Jacob received the blessing and departed. Soon after, Esau arrived, cooked a meal, and urged his father to partake.

Following the pronouncement of blessing, the elder son approached. This indicates that the kingdom of the Church was divinely ordained before that of the synagogue; nonetheless, the synagogue was infiltrated so that the prevalence of sin could increase, which allowed grace to flourish even more abundantly (cf. Rom. 5:20). Simultaneously, it is clear that one who seeks the heavenly kingdom must actively pursue the blessing and claim the inheritance that has been entrusted to him.

Esau’s act of eating reflects the reverence for divine law present among the people, who, in their pride and belief in justification through circumcision, presented this practice as sustenance to the new Gentile believers while themselves remained spiritually malnourished, unable to partake of the true bread of life. Esau proclaimed, “Let my father arise and eat the spoil of his son, that thy soul may bless me.” This reveals his arrogance and the pride that persists, as even today, some among the Jews still boast of their circumcision, imagining themselves to be the sole recipients of justification. In contrast, the humble and wise James addressed his father with the words, “I have done as thou hast told me” (Gen. 27:19). Unlike Esau, who requested, “Let my father arise, and eat the spoil of his son, that thy soul may bless me.”

What implication can we draw from Esau's delayed return to his father, if not that the Jewish people are tardy in reclaiming God's grace?

Isaac's blessing to his sons, Jacob and Esau, holds significant importance in sacred history, as it further elucidates God's divine purpose regarding them and offers a fresh prophecy about the future of the Jewish nation. Consequently, it serves as the concluding account in Isaac's life.

Esau came back from the hunt after Jacob had received the blessing. In Esau's delay in the fields, we can perceive God's providence at work. The Lord withheld the game from him for a time, allowing him to miss the chance to come to his father and receive the blessing that was originally meant for him. He no longer deserved this blessing, as he had traded his birthright to Jacob. He lost his birthright over a meal; likewise, due to not preparing a meal for his father in a timely manner, he was to lose his blessing.