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Genesis 48:21
And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers.

1 Samuel 20:3
And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but trulyas the LORD liveth, andas thy soul liveth,there is but a step between me and death.

Proverbs 27:1
Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

said Isaac,
Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, is a patriarch in the lineage of the Israelites. His life is marked by moments of faith and obedience, as well as familial conflict. At this point in Genesis, Isaac is an elderly man, and his role as a father and leader is central to the unfolding events. His words carry authority and weight within his family.

I am now old,
Isaac's acknowledgment of his age reflects a common biblical theme of the wisdom and frailty associated with old age. In ancient Near Eastern culture, age was respected, and the elderly were often seen as possessing valuable life experience and insight. Isaac's recognition of his own mortality sets the stage for the transfer of blessing and inheritance, a critical aspect of patriarchal society.

and I do not know the day of my death.
This statement underscores the uncertainty of life and the inevitability of death, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture. It reflects the human condition and the need for readiness and faith in God's timing. The acknowledgment of life's unpredictability is echoed in other biblical passages, such asJames 4:14, which speaks of life as a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Isaac's awareness of his mortality prompts him to act, leading to the blessing of his sons, which has significant implications for the future of Israel.

Isaac opens with an attention-getter. Much like Moses urging Israel, “Take to heart all the words I testify to you today” (Deuteronomy 32:46), or Jesus saying, “Truly, truly, I tell you…” (John 3:3), the word “Look” signals that what follows carries weight. It invites Esau—and us—to pause, listen, and prepare to act.

The speaker matters. Isaac is the covenant bearer who once heard the Lord promise, “I will bless you and multiply your descendants” (Genesis 26:24). Scripture later notes, “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future” (Hebrews 11:20). His words are therefore:

• paternal—spoken with legitimate authority over his household

• prophetic—shaping the unfolding plan God has set in motion

• personal—rooted in his own experience of God’s faithfulness

Isaac’s age frames the moment. In a culture that honored longevity as a sign of divine favor (cf.Genesis 25:8 regarding Abraham), advanced years remind us that:

• Life’s strength fades, echoing “The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty if we are strong” (Psalm 90:10).

• Old age calls for sober reflection: “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

• God’s promises span generations, so an aging patriarch must pass blessing intentionally.

Isaac acknowledges human limitation. Though the covenant is certain, his timeline is not. Scripture underscores this uncertainty:

• “Just as people are appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

• “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring” (Proverbs 27:1).

• “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14).

• Jesus’ parable of the rich fool highlights sudden mortality: “This very night your life will be required of you” (Luke 12:20).

Because the exact hour is hidden, Isaac moves decisively to secure the blessing before it is too late, modeling the readiness urged on all believers: “The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2).

Genesis 27:2 captures a pivotal, heartfelt moment. Isaac calls for attention, speaks with covenant authority, admits frailty, and confronts life’s unpredictability. His words invite us to listen carefully, honor God’s promises across generations, number our days wisely, and act in faith before opportunities pass.