The Right Man for the Job
As we explained above, one could suggest that Yitzchak expects that both his children will become 'Am Yisrael' [or, to be more precise, 'Am Yitzchak']. However, realizing that he is aging, and understanding that in order for his children to become a nation they must have political leadership, Yitzchak must appoint one of his sons as the family leader.

For this job, Esav - the "ish sadeh" [a man of the world (see 25:27)] - is obviously the most suitable candidate. [You need to have a "macher" to run a country. Furthermore, realistically speaking, Yaakov & Esav are over sixty years old, Esav is married with children, has a job, and can take of himself and others; while Yaakov is still single, and 'living at home.' Hence, Yitzchak choice of Esav to become the family provider and leader is quite logical.]

Undoubtedly, Yitzchak has a blessing in store for Yaakov as well - most probably a blessing of spiritual leadership. Yaakov - the "ish tam yoshev ohalim," a man of the book (see 25:27) - can provide the family with spiritual guidance. [This 'theoretical blessing' for Yaakov is quite similar to the ultimate duty of shevet Levi (see Devarim 33:10).] However, without first setting up a nation (via Esav), there would be no one around for Yaakov to guide.

[The fact that Yitzchak had called upon Esav, his eldest, to receive his blessing first, does not rule out the possibility that he may have intended to bless Yaakov afterward. Note in Parshat Va'ychi how Yaakov first blesses Yosef, and only afterward blesses his twelve children.]

So what went wrong? Why does Rivka intervene? Why must Yaakov 'steal' Esav's bracha? Or to put it more bluntly, is Rivka simply jealous for her 'favorite son,' or did she perceive the situation differently?

To answer this question, we must return to the beginning of the Parsha.