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Why did Esau’s mother betray him in favor of Jacob? Why was it not possible for Isaac to bless both sons equally?

Rebecca arranged that Jacob would obtain the blessing, which God had prepared for him and not for Esau, according to the prophecy given to her during her pregnancy. For the LORD said to her: "Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger" (Gen 25:23).

God in His foreknowledge knew the pre-eminence of Jacob over Esau and chose him for this blessing. St. Paul writes "And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived…. for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand…. it was said to her, "The older shall serve the younger. As it is written, 'Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated'" (Rom 9:10-13).

Rebecca could not bear to see her husband standing against the fulfillment of god’s Oracle. However, the means she used was by no means justifiable. She did not wait for the fulfillment of this prophecy at the divine time, but took matters in her hands. Both she and Jacob paid toughly for this mistake; she was deprived of her favorite son; for he had to escape his older brother, and she died without seeing him again. In addition, Jacob went through life being cheated by his uncle Laban (Gen 29:23, 25; 31:41) and by his sons (Gen 37:31-35).

Why was it not possible for Isaac to bless both of his sons equally?

When Isaac realized the deception he fell into, he first trembled exceedingly (Gen 27:33) but he soon recovered himself, and confirmed the blessing he had given to Jacob: "I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed." He was now convinced that the blessing was guided by the Spirit of God and it was the design of Providence that the spiritual blessing should fall on the line of Jacob. This was because our Lord Jesus Christ was to descend in body from Isaac’s offspring. Obviously Christ needed just one blessed line. Isaac had a mind to give Esau the blessing, but when he perceived the will of God was otherwise, he submitted; and this he did by faith (Heb 11:20). He did bless Esau but the great difference is that there is nothing in Esau's blessing referring to Christ. Thus Isaac by faith blessed them both, each to receive his own lot.