I am Rebekah. Wife of Isaac. You have maybe met my Isaac. He is the son of the great Abraham and Sarah. Now there's a pair! But that is for another story, another time. My Isaac, he is one of God's chosen ones through whom God's covenant promise will be fulfilled. God's covenant promise is for many descendants, too many to count. It was also for much wealth and many blessings from God. And to think I am a part of all that. You see, I was chosen by God to be Isaac's wife. I should have always remembered that.

Anyway, Isaac and I wed with the blessings of both Abraham and Sarah. Isaac loved me. I loved him. I know this in my heart, Isaac loved me and no other. He loved me even when I could not give him a child. I also know in my heart I was able to finally conceive because Isaac prayed on my behalf. Isaac begged God to give us a child. And so, finally, after 20 years of marriage, after 20 years of trying, I became pregnant! What joy we shared in those months. Yet while I still carried this new life, there seemed to be something wrong. I was greatly concerned. I was scared. I was not certain there would be a birth, let alone that I would live to hold the new life in my arms.

I prayed. I prayed like I had never prayed before - or perhaps since. God heard me. And - God spoke to me. This is what I heard: "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples born of you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger. What did it mean? I could not say at the time.

Then the miracle - in due time two babies came forth. The first came out with red hair all over his body like a hairy mantle, so we named him Esau (which means hairy). The family sometimes called him Red. Afterward, his brother came out, grabbing hold of Esau's heel. So we named the younger one, Jacob. You see Jacob means: heel catcher, or trickster or deceiver. I never did like the meaning, but the name is what we were to call him. Ahh, Jacob, soft and pink and smooth. And you know, my Isaac was 60 years old when the boys were born. What a family. What joy we shared in those early years. I see that many of you have experienced this same joy! And like yours, our sons grew up. Esau was so...impetuous. He really loved to be outside. He was a skilled hunter. He always brought back some game he killed with the bow and arrow. I do admit he provided well for the family. It seemed he was never home. I am glad about that, for when he was home he was loud and clumsy. He always brought chaos with him.

Now, I know a mother should not say this, but Esau was such an oaf! To top it off, later Esau married outside our faith. He married two Hittite women. Pagans! Oh how they brought misery to my life!! But, Jacob, my Jacob. Jacob was quiet. He was calm of spirit. He enjoyed staying near the tents, caring for our flocks and herds. I have to say he enjoyed cooking and did a good job. But mostly Jacob was such a joy to this mother's heart. Plus, in the evenings when we gathered around the fire, he was always so attentive as he listened to the ancestral stories about God and his grandfather Abraham and his own father, Isaac. Not like his snoring brother.

I know, I know. Parents should not have favorites - but - Jacob, I admit, he was the joy of my very heart. Now that I look back, I think Isaac loved Esau best because Esau had certain traits he himself did not. And I suppose because Isaac never ventured far from camp, he never bunted. So the taste of fresh meat Esau brought home, was always appealing to Isaac. I can understand that maybe that whole sacrifice ordeal that Isaac went through when he was just a boy affected him in ways we will never know. Perhaps it is even the reason Isaac was a little standoffish. I had never really put it all together until now, but this might be why Isaac was drawn to Esau. But still!

Yes, we had our favorites. And worse, we showed our preference, to the boys and probably the entire tribe. I see now how wrong that was.

Still as you can imagine, my son Jacob and I were close! He told me everything. So it was not a surprise that he told me all about how one day when he convinced Esau to sell him the birthright that goes to the first born.

I remember that was a day when Esau left to go hunting earlier than usual. And Jacob had gone out with the sheep and goats. He said he wanted to try out a new recipe for a stew from the lentils he had grown. Then late in the day when Esau returned Jacob could tell he was more tired than usual. Apparently Esau confirmed this when he just collapsed beside Jacob and the fire where Jacob's stew was cooking.

You know, it's strange, the boys barely spoke to each other on a good day, let alone Esau wanting to spend time with Jacob when he was so tired. Jacob told me Esau actually begged for a bowl of the stew. Apparently, hunting had not gone well that day and Esau came back empty handed. Esau had thought he was starving to death. Like I said, Esau was such an oaf! He was always thinking of himself

I can understand that Jacob could not pass up such an opportunity. I know Jacob was always teasing and tricking Esau. Boys will be boys! So I suppose Esau thought Jacob was teasing him again when Jacob said, Sure, I'll give you some stew, but "first sell me your birthright. I am sure Jacob would have given Esau the stew anyway. He was really such a kind boy. But Esau wasn't the sharpest arrow in the quiver. He could only think of his stomach. Esau complained that he was about to die, so what use was a birthright to him, a dying man. Esau just did not understand!

Now, so you will understand, the birthright was a very special honor given to the firstborn son. It included a double portion of the family inheritance, along with the honor of one day becoming the family's leader. This was a patriarchal blessing that would give the receiver legal and spiritual authority. Yet, the oldest son could, indeed, sell his birthright or give it away, if he chose. Not really a smart decision. You see, in selling or giving away the birthright, he lost both material goods and his leadership position.

Jacob understood! Jacob insisted that day that Esau swear an oath. That's how Esau caine to sell Jacob his birthright for some bread and bowl of lentil stew. This says so much about both boys.

Esau just did not care at alt about spiritual things or even about family. Him caring nothing about that birthright is the same as despising it. Jacob had really listened to the story of his and his brother's birth and what God had told me before they were born. Jacob cared much about that story and his place in it. But, even hearing and knowing bow God worked, Jacob was still not taking a chance that God would not carry through. Jacob wanted to assure his place in that blessing.

I know exactly how Jacob felt and thought. Perhaps he got that from me. For, you see, many years later we both got caught up in decisions and actions that would change all our lives forever. This was when my Isaac was old. That day began like many others. Isaac said he was not feeling well. He said he felt so horrible he was sure he would die soon.

I had to leave the tent for fresh air. I had to get my emotions in control. I was sad about Isaac, I did not know how to help him. I did still love him. While I stood outside the tent, I overheard Isaac calling for Esau which seemed strange. I admit I walked closer to the tent so I could hear. Imagine my surprise when I heard Isaac say to Esau, "My son, I am old. I do not know the day of my death. So take your bow and arrow and bunt wild game for me. Prepare for me the food that I like best. Bring it to me so that I can eat well one more time before I die. And then he said, “Then, I will bless you before I die.”

What in the world was that old man thinking!

In spite of the facts that Esau had bartered away his birthright, married heathen women and God said...God said that the younger was to be the chosen one. Isaac must have been delirious with fever! He knew Jacob was the right one to receive the blessing. He knew it. After all, hadn't I reminded him enough times over the years?

I just knew Isaac was up to no good with those hushed voices. Had his illness and his age addled his brain to make him forget what God had told me those many years ago before our sons were even born? The blessing was to go to the younger! That was Jacob! What's a mother to do?

I had to act fast! After all, deathbed bequests were legally binding! Even before Esau left the encampment to do Isaac's bidding, I was off to find Jacob. I told Jacob everything I heard his father say to Esau. I did not approach Isaac to remind him of this promise. I did not stop to think. I did not stop to pray. I did not trust God to work out the plan as promised.

I told Jacob exactly what bad to be done. He had to act fast to get the two young goats. This would give me plenty of time to prepare the food as Isaac preferred. I almost lost it when Jacob hesitated thinking Isaac would curse him rather than bless him if he found out he was not Esau. . . all because of his nice smooth skin. I told him I would take on the curse myself Jacob need not have worried. I had it all planned in my head. We would put Esau's robes on Jacob, the skin of the goats on his hands and neck. The smell of Esau from his robe should have been enough. Now the touch of the goat hair would surely convince Isaac.

Then I rushed Jacob into Isaac's tent with bread and the delicious food I had prepared to taste like wild game. I stood outside the tent and - yes - I listened! I was sweating so much out there...and it wasn't just because we were in the desert! I kept looking at the horizon to be sure Esau did not yet return. I silently urged Jacob to say just the right words to convince Isaac and receive the blessing that was rightfully his anyway. I remember Isaac sounded suspicious - I could hear it in his voice. But his eyes and ears could not make it all clear. He questioned Jacob. Ahh, but my Jacob carried it off, even if he did mention God's name to his own advantage against Isaac. And I got what I had been wanting for many, many years. Jacob received the blessing!

As soon as he could, Jacob left the tent! Well! We hardly had time to embrace in celebration before Esau did return. Jacob rushed off to change clothes. I stayed where I was and I am glad I did. I knew Esau would be upset, angry even. But what I over heard was so alarming! I had to warn Jacob to stay away from Esau. Esau had just vowed to kill Jacob as soon as their father was dead!

I had yet another thought. I went to Isaac and convinced him to send Jacob to my brother Laban up in Haran, my homeland. Isaac knew how upset we both had been over the pagan women that Esau married so it didn't take much to convince him to send Jacob away... so he "could find a good, clans woman to wed.”

Now that I think back on that idea I can honestly say I did not think it through. I sent my Jacob to my brother Laban! Laban was the biggest trickster and deceiver that ever lived! Believe me, I know. Remember I grew up with Laban. I was on the receiving end of his tricks and deceptions more than once. I just was not thinking clearly. I only wanted Jacob to live. I did not want blood shed...especially Jacob's.

And you know, I wonder to this day that Isaac was so easily deceived. I think he knew I was just outside the tent and could hear all that he said to Esau. I wonder if Isaac really knew in his heart that Jacob was the rightful son to receive the blessing. I wonder if Isaac just did not know bow to make it right and was counting on me to take over - like I so often did. Isaac knew that once the blessing was given it could not be taken back. He knew. Maybe Isaac grew tired of waiting on God and God's plan. We never really spoke of it, even though Isaac lived for another 43 years!!!

Yes, I have heard what has been said about my family, about Jacob, down through the ages. I'll grant you the truth of it. Yes, Jacob was cunning. He used that cunning to his own best interest. And even though he hesitated at my own deceitful plan with Isaac, his questioning was for the wrong reason. He was fearful of getting caught. Even in his hesitation I did not reconsider. I was so wrapped up in my own plans that I could no longer see clearly. We both lost sight of God and God's plan and timing. This is wrong for all of us. Then and now. Wrongdoing traps us. We know this pulls us away from God.

Yes, Jacob got the birthright those years ago. But he had tricked and conned his brother to barter it for a lousy bowl of stew. We deceived Isaac into giving Jacob the age- old blessing. But as you would say, we blew it. We blew it in not waiting on God and trusting God's timing and plan.

And yes, Jacob received the covenant blessing. But at what cost? I never saw Jacob again. Esau vowed to kill Jacob. Jacob ran for his life. You would say, he was in exile for many years. And as soon as Jacob was out of sight that fateful day I knew in my heart that Laban, my own brother, would trick and con and deceive Jacob in some way. I hear I was not wrong. And sadly, Esau became the founder and leader of an enemy nation - you call them the Edomites. The Edomites are enemies of the people of God.

Oh, how easily some people part with the rich blessing they are heirs to! How much happier and at peace we all would be when we stay in God's plan.

Jacob would have received the blessing no matter what I did. For it was God's plan. And God's plan will not be opposed. Jacob made it more difficult on himself throughout his life. Yes, we blew it. You do not have to blow it! Learn from Jacob. Stop grabbing at what others have and grab God. Let God be God! Pray for God's guidance and discernment. Stay in God's plan. It is because of our human ways and wrong doings that God often has to accomplish His goals by unlikely means. Even when it feels like God is not acting, be assured God is at work. We must trust God to do what God will do in God's timing.