Lies

Today I read Genesis 27.  It is the story of Isaac's blessing of Jacob and Esau.  If you remember it, Rebekah plans the deception of her husband.  She hears that Isaac has sent Esau hunting and to prepare food so that he can then bless his older son.  She has Jacob get food, she prepares it and then disguises Jacob to trick Isaac into blessing him, thinking he was Esau.

The study Bible I read brings up some interesting points.

• Rebekah had no authority to determine who would be heir.  She was a woman.  Her younger son had no claim in his father's property.  She did, however, have power, and she used it to manipulate the outcome to reach her goal -- an interesting comparison of authority and power.
• Some scholars see deceit and lies in her plans and Jacob's actions, and judge them for it; others see this as a an illustration of how the disadvantaged -- second class citizens -- took power over the privileged.
• Is she bringing about God's will, or is she not trusting God to lead the way?

What do you think?  When I read it, I see a whole lot of lies and manipulation.  Is all of that washed away in the light of the disadvantages the two of them faced?  Is it OK to use lies and manipulation to bring about God's will?