What does Genesis 27:20 mean?
Lies tend to lead to more and deeper lies. Jacob has lied by claiming, to his blind, elderly father, Isaac, that he was actually the older son, Esau (Genesis 27:1–5). Wearing his brother's clothes and with his skin disguised, Jacob—at the urging of his mother, Rebekah—insists that he is ready to receive the blessing intended for his brother (Genesis 27:6–17). Before this can happen, however, Jacob must build on his lie. Isaac already seems suspicious (Genesis 27:18). For one thing, "Esau" has returned too quickly. Not enough time had passed to hunt the game, make the kill, prepare the meat, and return, as Isaac had instructed.Caught, Jacob spiritualizes his lie, claiming that God provided an animal in record time. It's always hard to argue with an assertion that God provided. It makes for effective deception, but it takes lying to the level of manipulating the name and reputation of God for personal gain. Some Bible teachers suggest that Jacob took God's name in vain, something that would later be forbidden by the Ten Commandments.