Isaac blessing Jacob by Gustave Doré, Genesis 27:1-29, Bible.Gallery
Isaac blessing Jacob created and it was drawn with engraving style.
Artwork Description
The patriarchal blessing was no ordinary expression of goodwill or mere prayer; rather, it held significant weight as an authoritative prediction. It stands apart from philosophical speculations, such as Plato's notion of heightened foreseeing power in the dying, Pythagoras' belief in a departing soul's ability to glimpse the future, or modern theories of prophetic foresight arising from elevated consciousness in devoted individuals. Instead, the patriarchal blessing is a divine institution wherein, before his death, the father of each family in the lineage of the promise made to Abraham conveyed to his children how and in what manner the fulfillment of that promise would unfold through them.
Though the prophetic inspiration could encompass a wide range of events, its primary purpose was to define the channel through which the world-wide blessing would be bestowed upon humanity. Naturally, though not necessarily, the first-born son would be this channel, and any changes would be announced by the father. This is why Jacob and Esau were deeply concerned about their father's final benediction, for it carried the divine authority that rendered it irreversible.
The illustration portrays the blessing of Isaac, a blessing that proved effective even though it was obtained by Jacob through a deplorable and unjustifiable act, guided by his mother's counsel. From the beginning, as announced to Rebekah (Genesis 25:23), it was God's plan that "the elder shall serve the younger." While mother and son should have entrusted the fulfillment of God's will to the Almighty, their wrongdoing did not thwart His divine purpose. Jacob received the blessing, and it could not be revoked.
However, the consequences of their actions were not without repercussions. Rebekah lost her favored son soon after, never to see him again in her lifetime. Jacob, too, faced trials as he was driven into exile, deceived by Laban, and later endured the sorrow of losing his beloved Joseph for years.
The female figure depicted in the illustration is Rebekah, anxiously looking away in apprehension, fearing that Esau might return before Isaac had completed the bestowal of the coveted blessing. The scene captures the intensity of the moment and the weight of divine authority underlying the patriarchal blessings, while also serving as a cautionary tale of the grave consequences that can arise from human interference with God's plans.