Genesis 27:37Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Isaac responded, "Understand that I have bestowed all my blessings upon him, making him your master. Notice how Isaac begins with this declaration, mentioning nothing else but foretelling servitude and subjugation for Esau: 'Behold, I have made him lord over you, and bestowed upon him all his siblings as servants; I have provided him with bread and wine; what can I do for you, my son? There is no further action to take. If I have appointed him your lord, all his brethren his servants, and I have wished him abundance in all his needs, what else can remain?"

Isaac was unable to revoke his blessings. He recognized that it was the divine intent of the Lord, as communicated to Rebekah. Additionally, when he blessed Jacob, he declared, "He that curseth you shall be cursed" (Genesis 27:29). Thus, he was apprehensive that if he pronounced a curse upon Jacob, the very curse he had previously spoken in blessing would fall back upon him.

In order to show that the entirety of the Godhead resides bodily in Christ (Col. 2:9), He responds, ‘Having appointed him as your lord and made all his brothers his servants, and having nourished him with bread and wine, what would you like me to do for you, my child?’

Behold, I have appointed him as sovereign, etc. The prophecy is depicted here through the event as a guarantee of assurance (Jeremiah 1:10). What shall I say to you, my son? Isaac views the blessing bestowed upon Jacob as an obstacle to the blessing intended for Esau. This perception arises from the very nature of the initial blessing, which inherently encompassed Esau's disgrace; for in the unintentional blessing conferred on Jacob, Isaac perceives God's hand bringing discipline upon Esau. Is it not also true that this authority of blessing, a remnant of God's original blessing that granted humanity dominion over all creation, resided with the patriarchs and was transmitted from one generation to the next through spiritual communion? Once this authority was stirred by faith and filled to its fullness, it was seldom aroused again in the one who conveyed it in its previous form and magnitude.

"What would you like me to do for you, dear child?" My heart is filled with compassion for you, yet I am uncertain about the blessing to bestow upon you. In the blessing of James, I perceive not only an obstacle to the granting of an equal blessing upon you but also a form of your humiliation. If it is the divine intention, as conveyed through me, that Jacob reigns over you and over his descendants, can I truly bless you with autonomy? If God's purpose is to designate Jacob as the sole heir of the land of Canaan, flowing with abundance, how could I, contrary to His will, share it between the two of you? I struggle to offer you a blessing that does not undermine the privileges that God has bestowed upon your brother.