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Jacob Steals the Blessing

Jacob deceives to get Esau's blessing.
Story also available on our translated website: German
1
Isaac was a very old man, his eyes were weak and he was losing his sight. <br/>He called for Esau, his first born son, to give him a special mission. <br/>‘Esau, my son, go hunting for wild game to cook for me tonight. <br/>‘Then I will give you my special blessing – my commission.’ – Slide 1
2
Rebekah overheard Isaac asking Esau for a special meal. <br/>As soon as Esau left to hunt, she formed a plan to change the deal. <br/>She told Jacob that his father requested tasty food to savour. <br/>She told Jacob, ‘Kill a goat for me to cook then Isaac will bless you with God’s favour.’ – Slide 2
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‘But Esau is hairy and I am not. <br/>‘If father grabs my hand, he will know he is being deceived. <br/>‘He will be angry and curse me on the spot.’ <br/>Rebekah said, ‘He will not, let his curse fall on me.’ – Slide 3
4
Rebekah cooked the savoury goat and bread. <br/>She dressed Jacob in Esau’s clothes hanging by his bed. <br/>She covered Jacob’s arms with goat skin so Isaac would be misled. – Slide 4
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Jacob took the food to Isaac. Isaac asked, ‘Who are you?’ <br/>Jacob lied, ‘I am Esau, your firstborn, I have hunted some wild game for you. I prepared it for you to enjoy and savour. When you’re done, please give me the blessing, I want God’s favour.’ – Slide 5
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‘How did you find the game so quickly?’ Isaac asked. <br/>Jacob replied, ‘Your God put the game right in front of my path!’ <br/>Isaac tested Jacob, ‘Come close to me so I can touch you, my son.’ <br/>Isaac touched the goat skins that covered Jacob’s arms, but the test was not done. – Slide 6
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Isaac said, ‘The voice sounds like Jacob, but these are Esau’s hairy arms.’ <br/>‘Are you sure you are Esau?’ Isaac asked. <br/>‘Yes, I am,’ replied Jacob trying not to sound alarmed. – Slide 7
8
‘My son, let me eat your savoury game and then I will give you my blessing.’ <br/>So Jacob served his father and waited for him to finish his meal. <br/>Then Isaac pulled Jacob close to kiss him. <br/>He smelled Esau’s clothes which smelled like the fields. <br/>Convinced that Jacob was Esau, he gave Jacob his blessing. – Slide 8
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‘May God give you the dew from heaven and crops from the plains. May you always have wine and grain. May the nations bow before you. May your brothers bow before you. Those who curse you will be cursed, and those who bless you will be blessed.’ – Slide 9
10
Jacob raced out of the tent as soon as Isaac was done with his meal. <br/>With his own savoury meal, Esau immediately came along. <br/>He asked Isaac to give him the blessing, this was the deal. <br/>But Isaac was shocked and realised that something was very wrong. – Slide 10
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Isaac asked him, ‘Who are you?’ <br/>Esau replied, ‘It’s me, father, Esau, your firstborn son.’ <br/>Very upset, Isaac said, ‘But I already blessed the man who just passed through.’ Isaac trembled, ‘I gave him the blessing, what is done, is done!’ – Slide 11
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When Esau heard what had happened, he made a loud cry. <br/>He begged Isaac to give him a blessing, this was the deal. <br/>But Isaac explained that Jacob deceived him and lied. <br/>The blessing still stands even though Jacob was a heel. – Slide 12
13
Esau cried, ‘No wonder his name is Jacob, he has deceived me twice. <br/>‘He stole my birthright and now he has stolen my blessing. <br/>‘For his deception I am paying a great price. <br/>‘Is there anything you can give me, father? Any kind of blessing?’ – Slide 13
14
‘What can I give you, my son? You and the nations will give Jacob honour. <br/>He will be greater than you and he will be stronger.’ – Slide 14
15
Esau pleaded and finally, Isaac said, ‘Away from the dew of heaven and the richness of the earth you will be led. He will rule over you, this I have decreed. But a day will come when this yoke is removed, and you will be set free.’ – Slide 15
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