Genesis 27:40Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When the Lord makes a promise, even if we encounter situations that appear contrary, we should not lose heart. The fulfillment of God's promises is certain. It is evident that the righteous, through their increasing glorification, reveal to us the immense power of God at work within them. This is observable in the life of every righteous individual, provided one examines their accounts carefully, and this remains true today. Instead of focusing on Jacob’s initial flight, reflect on his eventual honor—after a time, the very brother he feared treated him with great respect. Following his trials in a foreign land, he attained such glory that his descendants became a multitude, and an entire nation was named after him.

Consequently, the Lord of all addressed Israel as “the people of Moses.” In the wilderness, they fashioned a golden calf. The Lord then commanded Moses, “Make haste to come down...; for thy people, which thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt, are corrupt” (Exodus 32:7). Furthermore, the Apostle Paul attributes the written law to Moses, stating, “If he that rejecteth the law of Moses, in the presence of two or three witnesses, without mercy, shall be punished with death” (Heb. 10:28). It is also hinted that Israel should discard the burden imposed by the wise Moses when Christ calls them to grace through faith, as expressed in the prophecy, “But the time shall come when thou shalt resist and cast off his yoke from off thy head.” The believing Israelites have indeed shed the heavy burden of the law, as they were summoned to a state of freedom through faith in Christ. To Him, and with Him, be glory to God the Father, along with the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

Out of a compulsion to uphold peace, these individuals are sometimes allowed to partake in the sacraments meant for the faithful. Often, it is clear that they act wickedly, yet it becomes challenging to bring them to accountability: to demote them, strip them of their office, cast them out, or excommunicate them. When accusations are pressed, it can often result in trouble for the Church. The spiritual leader may then be compelled to say: "Behold, yours is from the richness of the earth and from the dew of heaven above; partake of the sacraments, yet know this: you eat and drink in condemnation to yourself, for whoever partakes unworthily eats and drinks judgment to themselves, not discerning the body of the Lord (1 Cor. 11:29). You are aware that you are admitted to the sacraments to maintain the peace of the Church; however, any malice you harbor fosters discord and division. Thus, you will live by your sword. Regarding what you receive from the abundance of the earth and the dew of heaven, it will not nourish you. You find no joy in it, nor is the Lord a delight to you (Psalm 134:3). If you truly relished it and the Lord were sweet to you, you would emulate the Lord’s humility instead of the devil’s pride." Therefore, regardless of the grace you receive from the abundance of the earth and the dew of heaven, if you cling to the pride of the devil, who delights in sowing strife and discord—may such a thing never be! No matter how much you engage in the communion from the bounty of the earth and the dew from heaven, you continue to derive joy from conflict and turmoil. So, transform yourself—cast off the yoke that binds you!

In the phrase ἔσται δὲ ἡνίκα ἐὰν καθέλῃς καὶ ἐκλύσεις τὸν ζυγὸν αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τοῦ τραχήλου σου, the challenge in comprehension may stem from the term ἐάν (¬εἰ † ἄν), which in Koine Greek can often serve as a simpler form, akin to the particle ἄν combined with the conjunction, suggesting either continuity or futurity in description (as seen in the context of ἡνίκα). For example, consider: ἡνίκα δὲ ἐὰν ἐπιστρέψῃ πρὸς κύριον, περιαιρεῖται τὸ κάλυμμα (2 Corinthians 3:16); καὶ ᾧ ἐὰν θέλω δίδωμι αὐτήν (Luke 4:6). However, in the passage from the Vetus Latina cited by the holy father, the statement is indeed incomplete: ‘Erit autem cum deposueris, et solveris iugum de collo tuo…’. In this complex construction featuring a temporal adjective, introduced by the conjunction cum and bearing a predicate in the second future tense, the main clause (erit autem) lacks a subject, rendering ambiguous what exactly shall "be."

Accordingly, Isaac rightly restricted Esau's autonomy to prevent him from drifting aimlessly, like a vessel without a captain, and placed him under his brother’s guidance, in line with the scriptural truth that the foolish will serve the wise (Proverbs 11:29). Hence, it was just for Isaac to impose this order, aiming to refine Esau’s disposition under the leadership of someone more prudent. Consequently, Isaac stated, "Thou shalt live by thy sword, and thou shalt serve thy brother," for godliness triumphs over harshness, and humility exceeds bitterness.

Now therefore, this is the message from the patriarch Isaac: "Thou shalt serve thy brother"; yet the time will come when you will resist and cast off his dominion, signifying that two nations will arise, one descended from a bondwoman and the other from a freewoman (Cf. Gal. 4:22-31), for the letter brings bondage while grace offers freedom (cf. 2 Cor. 3:6-18). Those who adhere to the letter will remain in servitude as long as they follow the one who interprets spiritual truths. It will also reflect what the apostle declares: "Let only a remnant be saved according to the election of grace" (cf. Rom. 9:27). You will serve your brother, but the true beauty of servitude will manifest when you willingly choose to obey him, not out of compulsion.

Consequently, since the prophets, revered for their insights, have revealed the mysteries of Christ and provided clear signs of God’s goodness, who can question these prophecies? If we accept their predictions about past and future events as truth, why should we doubt the fulfillment of the future promises?

This region, known as Idumea, stretches from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Elanit. While rugged and rocky in many parts, the mountain slopes and valleys, particularly in the east, are noted for abundant vegetation and moisture according to travelers. However, the agricultural yield in Idumea was insufficient for its population, leading the Idumeans, the descendants of Esau, to rely on various means of livelihood beyond farming. Isaac's prophecy foretold that the Idumeans would not engage in honorable pursuits, but would resort to warfare, raids on neighboring territories, and robbery of wayfarers, as expressed in the words, "By thy sword shalt thou live," a lifestyle that persists among the Bedouins who inhabit ancient Idumean territories and have roots from them. Additionally, it was prophesied, "And to thy brother thou shalt work," indicating a time when Esau would cast off the yoke of Jacob. Initially, Esau's lineage, the Idumeans, was more numerous and powerful than that of Jacob upon his return from Mesopotamia (Gen. 32:11, Gen. 33:15), and the Idumeans had leaders and kings preceding the Israelites (Gen. 36). However, they were eventually conquered by Saul (1 Sam. 14:47), subjugated by David (2 Sam. 8:14), and remained under Jewish control until the reign of Joram, when they were momentarily freed, but fell back under Jewish authority during Amaziah’s reign (4 Sam. 8:21, 4 Sam. 14:7). Under Ahaz, they were again subdued (1 Kings 16:6, 2 Chron. 28:16), and 129 years before the Common Era, they were once more conquered by John Hyrcanus, who even compelled them to embrace circumcision (Jos. Flav.). The trajectory of the Idumeans, initially overpowered by the Jewish descendants of Jacob and later breaking free from their dominion, stands as a testament to the precise fulfillment of Isaac's forecast regarding them.