Story 21: The Crafty Scheme Of Re-bek'ah And Ja'cob To Gain The Blessing Intended For E'sau lll

   As soon as I'saac had given the blessing Ja'cob hurried out of the room. Presently E'sau returned from the hunting field, cooked the venison, and came to his father to receive the blessing which belonged to him. I'saac was then forced to admit that he had just finished a meal provided by one whom he thought to be his elder son. E'sau was overcome with disappointment and sorrow, and pleaded with his father to give him the blessing. It was too late to receive the blessing of the first-born, for once it was given it could not be changed.
   Realizing that he had now been twice supplanted by his brother Ja'cob, E'sau now begged his father to give him whatever blessing that could still be given. I'saac then promised that E'sau and his descendants should enjoy great prosperity and fame, and should be successful in war. With these blessings, however, there would be burden of servitude to his brother. Sometimes his descendants would triumph over the house of Ja'cob, but would then be forced again into serving them.
   Although E'sau wept bitterly in his disappointment, there was no repentance in his heart for the sins which brought him so great a loss. At no time was there a word of humility or an admission of sin; all that E'sau desired was revenge. In a fit of anger he vowed to kill Ja'cob at the first opportunity. He wept, not for the sins of selling his birthright and entering marriages forbidden in the Covenant with A'bra-ham, but for the loss of the blessing.
   Re-bek'ah became so alarmed by E'sau's threats against the life of Ja'cob that she decided to send her younger son to her brother's home in Mes-o-po-ta'mia until E'sau's anger had become less violent. She pretended to I'saac that her reason for sending Ja'cob away was to prevent him from repeating the error of E'sau in marrying among the women of Ca'naan. Hurried plans were made for Ja'cob's journey, and he went away with the blessings of his father and the anxious prayers of his mother. Re-bek'ah had thought that his visit would be brief, but she did not live to see his return twenty years later. Everyone who had taken part in the crafty schemes of Re-bek'ah and Ja'cob suffered greatly for the sins they had committed. Though the LORD overruled the entire affair for the accomplishment of His purposes and the glory of His name, sorrow and suffering came to all who had done wrong.