Merciful and loving God, help me to understand your ways and teach me to be obedient to your will. As you have forgiven me my offences, teach me to forgive others. Amen.

Genesis 27:30-45 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Trust in God’s Promises Introduction Genesis 27:30-45: Esau learns that his brother Jacob has tricked their father into giving him the blessing meant for Esau as the first-born son. He pleads with Isaac for a blessing and plots to kill Jacob. Rebecca overhears Esau’s plan and tells Jacob to escape his brother’s fury by staying with her brother Laban in Haran. Today’s Scripture: Genesis 27:38 Esau continued to plead with his father. “Do you have only one blessing, father? Bless me too, father!” He began to cry. Today’s Reading 30 Isaac finished giving his blessing, and as soon as Jacob left, his brother Esau came in from hunting. 31 He also cooked some tasty food and took it to his father. He said, “Please, father, sit up and eat some of the meat that I have brought you, so that you can give me your blessing.” 32 “Who are you?” Isaac asked. “Your older son Esau,” he answered. 33 Isaac began to tremble and shake all over, and he asked, “Who was it, then, who killed an animal and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came. I gave him my final blessing, and so it is his forever.” 34 When Esau heard this, he cried out loudly and bitterly and said, “Give me your blessing also, father!” 35 Isaac answered, “Your brother came and deceived me. He has taken away your blessing.” 36 Esau said, “This is the second time that he has cheated me. No wonder his name is Jacob. He took my rights as the first-born son, and now he has taken away my blessing. Haven't you saved a blessing for me? ” 37 Isaac answered, “I have already made him master over you, and I have made all his relatives his slaves. I have given him grain and wine. Now there is nothing that I can do for you, son!” 38 Esau continued to plead with his father: “Do you have only one blessing, father? Bless me too, father!” He began to cry. 39 Then Isaac said to him, “No dew from heaven for you, No fertile fields for you. 40 You will live by your sword, But be your brother's slave. Yet when you rebel, You will break away from his control.” 41 Esau hated Jacob, because his father had given Jacob the blessing. He thought, “The time to mourn my father's death is near; then I will kill Jacob.” 42 But when Rebecca heard about Esau's plan, she sent for Jacob and said, “Listen, your brother Esau is planning to get even with you and kill you. 43 Now, son, do what I say. Go at once to my brother Laban in Haran, 44 and stay with him for a while, until your brother's anger cools down 45 and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send someone to bring you back. Why should I lose both of my sons on the same day? ” Reflect The spoken blessing was like an arrow shot at a target. Once it was released, it could not be taken back. Esau also wanted a blessing, but Isaac could not undo the blessing he had already given Jacob, which gave Jacob the right to rule over Esau. Recall that Esau had earlier sold his birthright to Jacob (Genesis 25:27-30). Is Esau justified in saying that he has been cheated twice by his brother (verse 36)? Why or why not? In what way do Isaac’s words to Esau fulfill what Rebecca had been told by God when the twins were in her womb (see Genesis 25:23)?