The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: A Novel

Chapter 20

Canaanite soil

127-year-old Isaac's eyesight is weakening. So weak now. He's stuck in his tent. Meaning someone has to do the morning and evening offerings and prayers. He makes it clear he wants it to be Esau—but without telling him, Rebekah had Jacob do it.

"Husband," says Rebekah, entering his tent after the first service without Isaac. Her hair is completely white.

So is Isaac's. "Oh, beloved, beloved! How I wish I can see you!"

Rebekah approaches. "Did you think it's a good idea for Esau to do the priestly service?" she asks calmly. She avoids hinting it's Jacob who had done it.

"Oh, Rebekah. Esau is entitled to the blessing."

"Blessing of the priesthood?"

"The birthright blessing."

"Not this again!" says Rebekah, starting to lose her cool. "Isaac! Open your eyes!"

"I can't!"

Rebekah sighs. "How... how... will you understand? Look, Jacob—"

"Look? How?"

Now Rebekah snaps. "Jacob has a strong desire for that blessing, and Esau's indifferent to its obligations! How can you still be unshaken in your determination to give Esau the birthright blessing? He married foreigners! Non-worshipers of the Lord! And you still, Isaac, you still would have him as a priest! No way, Isaac! Don't you... realize what all this would lead to?"

She tries to calm down. She awaits Isaac's reply. Isaac says, "Esau is the firstborn son. So, that means—"

"The elder. Would serve. The younger." Finally, Rebekah exits the tent, at the point of crying.

+

Isaac is getting older by the day. Still 137, he groans over the thought he would die without giving a son that blessing. But now! Is the time!

He knows Rebekah and Jacob would object, so he plans inside his mind to host the ceremony in secret. The sacred ceremony. The solemn ceremony.

So he calls a servant. "Can you call Esau for me?"

As the servant is out trying to find Esau, Isaac meditates on what he's going to do. This blessing would formally confer the right to rule over the clan after his death. And a patriarchal blessing would accompany a delicious meal.

He would love some savory food from the hunt.

Rebekah is within earshot of the servant when she finds Esau, who is chatting with his wives. Rebekah hears, "Esau, your father calls you."

Esau hurries over to see his father. Wondering what this is all about, Rebekah quietly follows Esau and stays behind the tent walls, so she can overhear whatever Isaac and Esau would say, and without being seen—Rebekah could not be in the immediate company of males who are conducting business.

Rebekah can hear her husband now: "My son."

She hears her eldest son: "Yes, I'm here."

She hears Isaac again: "Look, I'm old. I have no clue when I might die. So now, please take your hunting gear, your quiver and bow, and go out in the field to hunt some game for me. Then prepare a delicious meal for me—you know, the type you know I like—and bring it for me to eat, so that I myself can bless you before I die."

Rebekah knows. The blessing will focus on future wealth and posterity—receiving Yahweh's covenant blessing! Isaac's going to pass it on to Esau!