Story 32a: Jacob Steals the Blessing and Runs Away

When Isaac was very old and ready to die, he wanted to bless his first-born son, Esau. He told Esau to go hunting and kill an animal; then cook the animal and bring it to Isaac, and he would eat it and give Esau his blessing. But Rebekah and Jacob tricked Isaac. Rebekah dressed Jacob in his brother Esau’s clothes. She cooked some meat and gave it to Jacob to take to his father. When Jacob took the food to Isaac, Isaac thought he was Esau. So Isaac ate the food and gave his blessing to Jacob. When Esau returned from hunting and realized Jacob had tricked him, he was very angry. He promised to kill his brother Jacob when his father Isaac died. So Rebekah told Jacob to run away to live with her brother Laban in Haran. Jacob left Canaan and stayed in Haran for many years. ******************************************************************************* Read this story in the Bible in Genesis 27:1 – 28:5 ******************************************************************************* Words to Know blessing – good things promised or predicted for someone trick – something done to deceive someone

Questions 1. Why was the blessing of a father to his oldest son considered very important? 2. Why did Jacob and Rebekah trick Isaac? What does this show us about them? 3. Why didn’t Isaac recognize Jacob when he was dressed as Esau? 4. Why couldn’t Isaac bless Esau also? 5. What reasons did Esau have for wanting to kill his brother Jacob? 6. Why did Jacob decide to run away? Why did he choose to run to Haran? 7. How are the prophecies which God told Rebekah before the twins were born being fulfilled in this story? When Isaac was very old and ready to die, he wanted to bless his first-born son, Esau.

He told Esau to go hunting and kill an animal; then cook the animal and bring it to Isaac, and he would eat it and give Esau his blessing.

But Rebekah and Jacob tricked Isaac.

Rebekah dressed Jacob in his brother Esau’s clothes.

She cooked some meat and gave it to Jacob to take to his father.

When Jacob took the food to Isaac, Isaac thought he was Esau.

So Isaac ate the food and gave his blessing to Jacob.

When Esau returned from hunting and realized Jacob had tricked him, he was very angry.

He promised to kill his brother Jacob when his father Isaac died.

So Rebekah told Jacob to run away to live with her brother Laban in Haran.

Jacob left Canaan and stayed in Haran for many years.