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Let’s first mention several verses of the Book of Genesis:
Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob. (Gen. 25:28)
When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite; and they made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah. (Gen. 26:34-35)
Then Genesis 27 describes how Jacob took the blessing of Esau.
I have already made him your lord, … What then can I do for you, my son?" Esau said to his father, "Have you only one blessing, father?" (Gen. 27:37-38)
So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him. (Gen. 28:1)
So, my questions are:
- Was Isaac so fond of game that he wanted to bless Esau at any cost, even when Esau’s marriage made life bitter for him and Rebekah? Or, was it customary at that time to bless the oldest son, regardless of his merits?
- The concept of "blessing" troubles me. It seems that blessing is treated as something physically transferable, which, once transferred, cannot be taken back. How come Jacob can cheat Isaac over the blessing and get away with it? Couldn’t Isaac simply "get back" his blessing? Would it trouble the LORD not to give the blessing to the brother whom Isaac really intended?
- Why does Isaac bless Jacob twice, while he seemingly couldn’t think of a "new" blessing for Esau in the first place?