based on The Book of Genesis, chapters 26 and 27
In which we hear the incredible story
of twin brothers turned enemies and
of Jacob, his mother’s favorite, who became
an orphan on the roads of exile.
Isaac was thrilled. He couldn’t believe it.
Rebecca’s belly was growing like a happy hill.
And moving.
But Rebecca was a bit concerned.
The twins were already at war in her womb.
Rebecca asked God about it, and he replied enigmatically: The elder shall serve the younger.
Jacob was born second and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel.
From birth, one was strong and the other weak.
The strong one was Esau. He had bright red hair and was furry as a beast.
He loved to hunt, spending his time in the woods and fields.
Isaac liked him best.
They both loved huge feasts.
And Jacob was the weak.
He whiled away the time in his tent or outside, gazing at the stars.
His mother, Rebecca, loved him most.
They grew up, Jacob always smaller, Esau always stronger.
Their differences came between them.
Neither brother liked to admit that the other had his points.
One evening, Esau came back from the hunt.
He was dying of hunger.
Before him, a delicious plate of red lentils.
Jacob said to him: Dig right in, but in exchange, sell me this day thy birthright.
I’ll be the older. And I’ll be the stronger.
Esau said yes—anything, as long as he could eat and drink!
And it came to pass that Isaac’s family grew to a considerable size.
Wherever he went, Isaac saw wells that his father, Abraham, had dug.
The Quarrel wells.
The Liberty wells.
The Promise wells.
Trouble increased throughout the land. Isaac became a burden.
He became old, very old.
He could no longer see.
One last time, before he died, he wanted to eat a good meal with his son Esau.
And bless him.
But when the evening came, Rebecca wrapped Jacob in the skin of a goat.
It was Jacob who entered the room with a plate of scrumptious game.
The blind old man reached out his hand to touch his son. A true animal’s skin.
That’s my Esau, he thought.
And thinking he was blessing Esau, Isaac blessed Jacob instead.
As Rebecca stood behind the door and watched the whole thing.
It was she who had disguised her son, and she who had cooked the meal.
Thief! cried Esau, when he came in from the hunt.
Jacob had stolen his blessing. Jacob had taken his place.
Behold, I have made him thy lord, confirmed Isaac, old and trembling.
A word once given cannot be taken back.
Esau cried.
He would kill his brother—that he swore.
And so once more, better that each go off on his own.
Jacob went into exile, far from brother and home.
Rebecca lamented.
She wanted both of her children.
But how could the two brothers ever be reconciled?
