Isaac and Esau

Good morning sisters and brothers,
The story of our dysfunctional family in the faith continues today. A couple of days ago we read how Jacob bought his older brother Esau's right as the first born for a bowl of lentil stew and some bread. Today Issac is old and wants to give Esau a special blessing. Isaac's wife Rebekah overhears their conversation and wants to make sure her favorite son Jacob receives the blessing instead. She concocts a plan to trick her blind and aged husband. Jacob has reservations, but only about whether the plan will work, not about whether it's appropriate to swindle a blessing from his dying father. Family is always tricky and the families in the Bible are no exception. Somehow, through all the drama and imperfections, God works out the plan for human salvation.

Blessings on your week,
Sam

Genesis 27:1-13

When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called his elder son Esau and said to him, “My son”; and he answered, “Here I am.” 2He said, “See, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. 3Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field, and hunt game for me. 4Then prepare for me savory food, such as I like, and bring it to me to eat, so that I may bless you before I die.”



5Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it, 6Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “I heard your father say to your brother Esau, 7‘Bring me game, and prepare for me savory food to eat, that I may bless you before the Lord before I die.’ 8Now therefore, my son, obey my word as I command you. 9Go to the flock, and get me two choice kids, so that I may prepare from them savory food for your father, such as he likes; 10and you shall take it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.”



11But Jacob said to his mother Rebekah, “Look, my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I am a man of smooth skin. 12Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be mocking him, and bring a curse on myself and not a blessing.” 13His mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my word, and go, get them for me.”