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It’s always been one of the most interesting stories in the Bible- the story of Jacob and Esau. Even in the womb, they wrestled together, and their mother, Rebekah was told that it was because their people would rival against each other someday.
I always laugh to myself when I read the part about Jacob holding onto Esau’s heel as they are being born. It’s like even as a baby, Jacob is already plotting and scheming on how he can get ahead of his brother!
Another interesting part of the story is how different the two brothers are. Esau, being red and hairy all over, and Jacob being smooth. Esau must have been really hairy too because when Rebekah went to disguise Jacob as Esau, she applied goat skins to him. Now, that’s pretty hairy for a human!
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The most striking part of the story to me, and the most heartbreaking is the part where Isaac gives out his blessings to his sons. Through Jacob’s deception, Jacob gets the blessing intended for Esau and is told that his brother will end up serving him in the future.
The heartbreaking part for me is when Esau finds out that his blessing has been stolen, and is begging his father for a blessing as well. Then, when he gets his blessing, it sounds more like a curse! It’s more like a statement, or a confirmation that he will be serving his younger brother in the future, and will be having a rough life, living by the sword.
The striking part to me is that a blessing used to mean so much back then. These days, if one were to give out a blessing, it would be very unlikely for it to come to pass. It makes me wonder if Isaac was speaking at the time in a prophetic voice. It’s something I want to look into because I find it strange that a person can speak a blessing and then it can come to pass at all.
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Of course, after all of Jacob’s tricks (even though they were his Mom’s idea), he had to high-tail it out of there so he didn’t get killed by his brother. Esau had been waiting his entire life for his birthright, and his blessing and Jacob stole both. I’m sure in his mind, he also thought that if he killed his brother, he wouldn’t end up serving him at some point.
Thankfully, later on in their lives they make amends and get along again (or maybe for the first time). Both of them live abundant lives and are blessed beyond measure.
The Bible is so full of interesting stories. I’m enjoying re-reading them, and hope to see new things this time.
I hope you have a great day! I have a ton to do! :-0
Until next time, stay safe, and be blessed! 🙂
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