Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December 2022.
Thanks for joining Part Three of our occasional series about “flawed biblical characters blessed by the Lord.” The purpose is to remind us that God sometimes chose men (yes, usually men) with less than stellar character to lead His people, fulfill a greater purpose, or build His Kingdom on Earth. Therefore, despite our shortcomings, He can use us for those purposes according to His Will.
In Part Two, Vol. 171, we learned how Jacob tricked Easu — his one-second “older” twin brother — into selling Jacob his future birthright blessing from their father, Issac, found in Genesis 25: 29-34. (We will wait if you neglected to read Vol. 171.)
Let’s continue the dramatic saga of ambitious, conniving young Jacob — the future patriarch of the twelve tribes of Israel — as he propagates interfamily rivalry with a brutal inheritance battle. Jacob is the poster child for flawed and crafty biblical characters that God still loves, uses, and tests.
Genesis chapter 27 begins with old father Issac, who is blind and dying. (The son of Abraham). Issac calls his elder son Esau and says:
" ‘Behold, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. Now then, take your weapons… and hunt game for me, and prepare for me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me... that I may bless you before I die ’ " (Genesis 27:1-4).
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(Note that Esau did not inform Issac that earlier, Esau had “sold his birthright” to Jacob, who teased Esau with a bowl of fresh stew when his twin was “famished” after hunting.)
Enter the twins’ mother, Rebekah, who listened to the blessing conversation between Issac and Esau and began scheming. Why? Earlier, we read that Rebekah favored Jacob while Issac favored Esau. So, Mom informed Jacob that Esau would receive Issac’s blessing after he hunts for and prepares Dad’s favorite dish. Then she concocted the Bible’s first identity theft and instructed Jacob:
“ ‘Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies ’ ” (Genesis 27: 8-10).
However, Jacob saw a flaw in Rebekah’s devious plan and said:
“ ‘But my brother Esau is a hairy man while I have smooth skin. What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing.’ Rebekah replied, ‘My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get the goats for me ’ ” (Genesis 27:11-13). Jacob obeyed his mother.
Then Mom implemented her identity theft plan. She dressed Jacob in Esau’s garments, “and the skins of the kids she put upon his hands and upon the smooth part of his neck.” Rebekah made Jacob a tasty dish for his dying dad, and Jacob (pretending to be Esau) said to Issac:
“ ‘My father.’ ‘Yes, my son,’ he answered. ‘Who is it?’ Jacob said, ‘I am Esau, your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please eat some of my game so that you may give me your blessing.’ Isaac asked his son, ‘How did you find it so quickly, my son?’ ‘The Lord your God gave me success,’ Jacob replied (Genesis 27:18-20). (Notice Jacob said “your God,” not our God. Only later did Jacob call God “his” God.)
Issac, confused about his “son’s” identity, said to Jacob:
“ ‘Come near so I can touch you, my son, to know whether you really are my son Esau or not” (Genesis 27:21) Then:
“Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, ‘The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.’ He [Issac] did not recognize [Jacob], for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so Issac proceeded to bless him” (Genesis 27: 22-23).
Still suspicious, Issac said to Jacob:
“ ‘Are you really my son Esau?’” Jacob lied, saying, “I am.” Issac asked aloud, “ ‘The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau’ ” (Genesis 27: 24-25). Jacob chooses to continue the deception. Issac enjoys the meal and says: “Come here, my son, and kiss me.” When Isaac smelled Jacob’s (Esau’s) clothes, Issac blessed Jacob, saying:
“ ‘Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed. May God give you heaven’s dew and earth’s richness— an abundance of grain and new wine. May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed ’ ” (Genesis 27: 26-31). (Important: Many Jewish people believe that the last sentence points to the State of Israel. Jacob was its “father,” and later, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel.)
Furthermore, deathbed bequests had legal standing, and Issac’s “blessing” to Jacob transferred God’s covenant blessing, first given to Abraham, Jacob’s grandfather.
Now, cue the dramatic music because Esau just returned from hunting. He gave Issac his favorite dish and asked for his promised blessing when Issac asked:
“ ‘Who are you?’ ‘I am your son,’ he answered, ‘your firstborn, Esau.’ Isaac trembled and said, ‘Who was it, then, that hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came and I blessed him—and indeed he will be blessed!’ ”
“Esau cried, ‘Bless me—me too, my father!’ But he [Issac] said, ‘Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.’ Esau replied, ‘This is the second time he [Jacob] has taken advantage of me: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my blessing!’ Then Esau asked, ‘Haven’t you reserved any blessing for me?’ ” (Genesis 27:30-36).
Issac’s short answer was “no.” Then “Esau held a grudge against Jacob” and “vowed to kill him.” Frightened, Mother hatched a plan for Jacob to go live with her brother Laban until Esau “forgets what you did to him.” Read all the action in Genesis 27: 37-46.
This saga continues next week. Spoiler Alert: Mom’s brother was also a trickster, and Jacob experienced “what goes around, comes around.”
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her book, "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible," reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2,” with same title, reprints Vols. 57-113.
Myra is also Executive Director of SignFromGod.org and National Shroud of Turin Exhibit. Both are educational donor-supported ministries dedicated to building a permanent Shroud of Turin exhibit in Washington, D.C. Visit the life-sized Shroud replica in D.C. and attend a Shroud event on July 20. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com.
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