The time came when Isaac knew that he was not long for this world, and so he wanted to give his blessing to his first-born son, Esau. So he instructed him to go hunting, to return with some wild game and make savory food, so that Isaac could eat it; and afterwards he would give Esau his blessing (Genesis 27:1-4). But Isaac and Esau were not paying attention to the fact that Rebekah had been within earshot and had heard the entire exchange. She immediately took action: she and Jacob conspired to prepare bread and goat meat stew for Isaac, and to dress Jacob in goatskins and in Esau’s cloak, to fool Isaac into thinking it was Esau who brought him the dinner (27:5-17).

The plan almost did not work. Isaac was surprised that the meal was ready so quickly (27:20); he suspected it was Jacob’s voice he heard (27:22), and repeatedly questioned who it really was (27:18, 21, 24). Though Jacob had felt quite uncertain about the wisdom of the plan (27:11-12), he maintained the lie all the way through, and received the definitive blessing of his father (27:28-29).

When Isaac and Esau discovered what Jacob had done, they were both quite distressed (27:33-38). Esau may well have thought that the blessing could be revoked and given to the proper son, since Jacob had received the blessing under false pretenses; but Isaac was clear: “your brother came deceitfully, and he has taken away your blessing” (27:35) – “and blessed he shall be!” (27:33). Because Isaac had spoken those words of blessing, they could not be unsaid.

We can see in this story that the compilers of the Bible didn’t do much editing to make sure that the patriarchs always looked noble and good. Instead, the narrative shows us biblical heroes who were often frail in their faith, and often dishonest and sinful – in both aspects, then, pretty much like us. It also shows us that the power to bless was – and is – real. Isaac had not even blessed Jacob on purpose, but the blessing would stand. It makes me wonder how much more blessed the world would be, if we were conscientious in offering blessing to those around us.

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And you have blessed us as well, O Lord, with great and irrevocable blessings: you have loved us and redeemed us and filled us full of good things. We give you thanks. And we pray that we may live lives of gratitude, blessing our families and our neighbors and strangers far away, confident in the power to bless you have granted us.