Genesis 27:8
Now therefore, my sonne, obey my voyce, according to that which I command thee. Genesis 27:8 (KJV)
The words, “Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee,” are spoken by Rebecca to her younger son Jacob. At this point Isaac, the son of Abraham, is old and his eyesight is dim, and he is preparing to bless his firstborn, Esau, before his death. Rebecca overhears Isaac’s intention and, together with Jacob, devises a plan to secure the blessing for Jacob instead of Esau. The verse therefore captures Rebecca’s active role in directing Jacob to follow her instructions, highlighting her decisive involvement in the unfolding drama.
Although the phrasing is commonly associated with the Genesis narrative, it does not appear verbatim in the biblical text describing Isaac’s blessing of Esau; Isaac’s own words to Esau focus on the impending blessing rather than this specific command. Nonetheless, the episode illustrates the patriarchal authority Isaac exercised over his family and the expectations that his sons would heed his directives.
From a theological perspective the passage invites reflection on obedience, deception, and the consequences of human actions. Isaac’s original intention was to bless Esau, yet the events ultimately fulfilled God’s earlier promise that the older would serve the younger (Genesis 25:23). According to the narrative, God had already chosen Jacob to carry forward the covenant promises, and the deceptive scheme, while achieving that outcome, is not presented as commendable behavior.
The story raises ethical considerations about the means employed to achieve divine purposes. Jacob and Rebecca’s deception secured a blessing traditionally reserved for the firstborn, an action that, although it aligned with God’s sovereign plan, underscores the tension between divine providence and human integrity. The account serves as a reminder that God’s will can be realized despite human failings, yet it also highlights the importance of honesty, trust, and integrity in our relationships and in our obedience to God’s commands. Believers are called to follow God’s directives, but the manner in which we do so must be rooted in truthfulness and moral uprightness.
