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Old Testament Reading - Jacob steals Esau's Blessing

¹One day, in Isaac’s old age when he was almost blind, he called for Esau his oldest son.

Isaac: “My son?”

Esau: “Yes, Father?”

^2-4Isaac: “I am an old man now, and expect every day to be my last. Take your bow and arrows out into the fields and get me some venison, and prepare it just the way I like it — savory and good — and bring it here for me to eat, and I will give you the blessings that belong to you, my firstborn son,^a before I die.”

⁵But Rebekah overheard the conversation.

¹⁵Then she took Esau’s best clothes — they were there in the house — and instructed Jacob to put them on. ¹⁶And she made him a pair of gloves from the hairy skin of the young goats, and fastened a strip of the hide around his neck; ¹⁷then she gave him the meat, with its rich aroma, and some fresh-baked bread.

¹⁸Jacob carried the platter of food into the room where his father was lying.

Jacob: “Father?”

Isaac: “Yes? Who is it, my son — Esau or Jacob?”

¹⁹Jacob: “It’s Esau, your oldest son. I’ve done as you told me to. Here is the delicious venison you wanted. Sit up and eat it, so that you will bless me with all your heart!”

²⁰Isaac: “How were you able to find it so quickly, my son?”

Jacob: “Because Jehovah your God put it in my path!”

²¹Isaac: “Come over here. I want to feel you and be sure it really is Esau!”

²²(Jacob goes over to his father. He feels him!)

Isaac: (to himself) “The voice is Jacob’s, but the hands are Esau’s!”

²³(The ruse convinces Isaac and he gives Jacob his blessings):

²⁴Isaac: “Are you really Esau?”

Jacob: “Yes, of course.”

²⁵Isaac: “Then bring me the venison, and I will eat it and bless you with all my heart.”

(Jacob takes it over to him and Isaac eats; he also drinks the wine Jacob brings him.)

²⁶Isaac: “Come here and kiss me, my son!”

(Jacob goes over and kisses him on the cheek. Isaac sniffs his clothes, and finally seems convinced.)

^27-29Isaac: “The smell of my son is the good smell of the earth and fields that Jehovah has blessed. May God always give you plenty of rain for your crops, and good harvests and grapes. May many nations be your slaves. Be the master of your brothers. May all your relatives bow low before you. Cursed are all who curse you, and blessed are all who bless you.”

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