The Seventh Commandment - Jacob steals Isaac's blessing

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The Seventh Commandment and Jacob

Jacob and Esau were the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Esau was the oldest, and that meant that he would inherit 2/3 of his father's holdings and his father's role as leader of the tribe. Jacob was very ambitious, and felt that he should have the majority of Isaac's possessions and be blessed as the tribe's next leader. Jacob was also his mother's favorite, and she agreed with him.
One day Esau returned from hunting very hungry. Jacob said he wouldn't give Esau any food unless Esau gave Jacob his birthright. Esau didn't think Jacob was really serious, so he swore an oath that he would give up his birthright. Jacob was serious, though.....and that wasn't enough for Jacob.
Rebekah and Jacob came up with a scheme to take the blessing Isaac planned to give Esau as the next leader of the tribe. Isaac was an old man with failing eyesight. When it came time for Isaac to give his eldest his blessing, Jacob dressed himself like Esau, and tried to speak like him. He presented himself to his father as Esau, and stole the blessing Isaac had intended for his oldest son.
Jacob knew his brother would be very angry, so he ran away.

Jacob and Rebecca broke the seventh commandment.

January 2012

The story in the Bible