And go thy way to the flock, bring me two kids of the best, that I may make of them meat for thy father, such as he gladly eateth.
לֶךְ־נָא֙ אֶל־הַצֹּ֔אן וְקַֽח־לִ֣י מִשָּׁ֗ם שְׁנֵ֛י גְּדָיֵ֥י עִזִּ֖ים טֹבִ֑ים וְאֽ͏ֶעֱשֶׂ֨ה אֹתָ֧ם מַטְעַמִּ֛ים לְאָבִ֖יךָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר אָהֵֽב׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Observe the profound love of the mother, or more accurately, the divine orchestration of God, as He inspired her toward such a purpose and guided every circumstance. Do you recognize the mother's beautiful intention? (See also Genesis 26:35)
Rebekah, symbolizing the Church, anticipated that the forthcoming occurrences would transpire through her younger son. She instructed him, "Go to the flock and bring me two young, desirable goats." Esau represents those who dwell in the world, acting as an outsider, while Jacob, destined for the flock, was sent to fulfill the Lord's declaration: "I am sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24). Her command, "Take for me two young goats that are good," alludes to two designations established through the Gospel. Originally, we were "goats" since we were sinners; through obedience, we became "young and good,” justified by faith in Christ.
We are no longer considered condemned "goats" but rather a flock, pleasing to God as a pure sacrifice (Genesis 8:21), and prepared as spiritual sustenance for the Word—Christ—who similarly told His disciples, “I have food which ye know not” (John 4:32).
Thus, Rebekah, embodying the Church's image, foreshadowed what was to be achieved through her youngest son. She indeed said, "Go to the flock and bring me two tender and desirable goats." While Esau is sent into the field as an outsider in this world, Jacob is directed towards the flock to fulfill the prophecy of the Lord: "I am sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24). Rebekah’s instruction, “Bring me two gentle and good goats,” signifies two callings expressed through the Gospel. We were initially goats, as we all were sinners, yet we become gentle and good through faith and obedience to Christ. Instead of being condemned as goats (Matthew 25:32), we are regarded as sheep, offered to God as a pleasing sacrifice (Ephesians 5:2) and prepared as spiritual nourishment for the Word, who proclaimed to His disciples, “I have food which ye know not” (John 4:32).
When the latter took their time, Rebekah elevated the younger sibling; for when the Jewish people sought righteousness through external deeds, the mother of grace instructed the Gentiles to offer to the Almighty Father the fruits of good works, and in turn, received the blessing from the elder brother. He brought forth this offering from domestic animals, as the pagan nations did not seek to honor God through mere outward sacrifices. As the Prophet declares, "In me, O God of prayer, I will offer Thy praise" (Psalm 55:13).
The cunning that Rebekah employed to prevent Jacob from receiving the blessing his father planned for Esau, as well as deceit in general, cannot be endorsed. The objective she sought to achieve through this deceit was indeed just, for the birthright that Jacob lacked by lineage had been divinely ordained for him even before he was born, and it was willingly relinquished to him by Esau. Furthermore, Jacob was deserving of the preference due to his virtuous character; in comparison to Esau, he was devout and humble. Thus, Rebekah was justified in wanting a blessing for Jacob rather than for Esau, who was unworthy of it. However, her method of pursuing a legitimate end through unlawful means was misguided.
If she had confidence that the Lord had chosen Jacob, not Esau, for the significant inheritance, she should have entrusted God alone to determine the means and methods to fulfill His plans. She ought to have depended on His divine will in every situation. God will always make a way to accomplish His purposes, regardless of any human resistance.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS