So, we're up to chapter 27, and the theme reappears. But first, some background:
Isaac prayed to Yhwh on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. Yhwh answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, "Why is this happening to me?" So she went to inquire of Yhwh. Yhwh said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older[Esau] will serve the younger[Jacob]."Rebekah came to love her younger son, Jacob. Isaac came to love the older son (and the meat he hunted), Esau. Now Rebekah is in a fantastic position here, because she's had a direct word from Yhwh that her favoured son will end up on top. He'll rule over Esau, so there's no reason for her to fear losing contact with her son. She already has, in promise form, what she's come to desire. And so when she hears Isaac promising this same thing to Esau instead of Jacob, she fails to trust God's word and decides to take matters into her own hands.
"Go to the flock and bring me two good young goats, so that I may prepare from them delicious food for your father, such as he loves. And you shall bring it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies."
The context gives us a whole bunch of clues that we should be thinking of Genesis 3. Firstly, the great desire for food is once again present. (as it is at the end of chapter 25, to which we'll return; it's heaps interesting) Second, the repetition of competing voices which ask to be obeyed ("heard"). Third, the dichotomy of blessing and cursing, as Rebekah (willingly) brings curse on herself. Fourth, the sending away of Jacob out of the presence of Isaaac for fear of death, as Adam and Eve were from the presence of Yhwh (the phrase is repeated so you don't miss it). Fifthly, the repetition of the covering with animal skins.
And lastly, of course, the very thing she wanted, and had, she ended up losing. She sends her son away for fear he might die. In effect, she loses both her sons. (cf. 27:45)
There are a few more connections, of varying strength.
Of course, as striking as the similarities of the scenes are the distinctions between them. This is the art of Hebrew narrative, as expectations are set up and then twisted, added to or totally subverted. A subtlety often foreign to the characteristically one-dimensional storytelling of Hollywood.
Ultimately, what happened?
Rebekah saw what she wanted. She already possessed a promise from Yhwh that she would have that thing. She took action designed to get it. And, though God subverts the previous paradigm by keeping his promise to bless Jacob, Rebekah herself loses that which she grasped for.
Thus Isaac sent Jacob away. (Gen 28:5 ESV)And she never saw her son again.