Like all who had come before, the man named Laughter’s life began to wane.  Long from the days of standing strong in the crowd and bringing laughter to the people, Isaac begins his journey to be with the ancestors.  Before he breathes his last, he has a blessing to give.  This blessing is the covenant passed from his father to him.  It is the gift of all that he has and is not given in a 50/50 split, but the eldest child takes all.

And so we find him on his deathbed, sight almost gone, and a desire to pass on his blessing.  Read Genesis 27:1-29.  Did you see it? The crafty actions of not only his wife, but his son, the heel-grabber, leads to a new future for his people.  He receives the blessing that marks him by God and all others as leader and the promised off-spring to continue the story of God.  Isaac blesses him saying,

May God give you of the dew of heaven,

    and of the fatness of the earth,

    and plenty of grain and wine.

Let peoples serve you,

    and nations bow down to you.

Be lord over your brothers,

    and may your mother’s sons bow down to you.

Cursed be everyone who curses you,

    and blessed be everyone who blesses you!”

And there we have it.  The one named Jacob, the one who is cunning and a cheat, receives the ‘royal inheritance’ of a people called by God.  How could God allow such a thing to happen?  What will become of Jacob?  Well, tune in next week as we see what God does in the saga of Sinners, Saints and Us!