November 23, 2025 • 27 mins
# 35 - Jacob & The Stolen Blessing - In this episode of The Chosen People, Jacob, with his mother's help, deceives his father Isaac to steal the blessing meant for his brother Esau. This episode unfolds a powerful narrative of family conflict, deceit, and divine destiny, reminding us that even in the midst of human imperfection, God's plans prevail.
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Episode 35 of The Chosen People is inspired by the Book of Genesis.
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Previously on the chosen people.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Two nations are in your womb. Two people will come
from you and be separated. One people will be stronger
than the other, and the older shall serve the younger.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Esau was a bare, large, hairy, and strong, living by instinct. Jacob, however,
was a cat, smooth, controlled, and cunning. Unlike his brother,
Jacob craved more than sustenance. He sought influence, wealth and power.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Give me some bad read.
Speaker 4 (00:40):
I am starving for your dessy. I've made it for you,
dear brother, but I won't give it for free. What
do you want? I'll give you this stew for Oh,
you're both right. Your status as the firstborn.
Speaker 5 (00:57):
Son sold you his birthright. What do you mean for
what price?
Speaker 4 (01:04):
You know as well as I do that this family
is doomed in Esau's hands. I'm doing you our herdsman,
workers and craftsmen the favor. What are you scheming, my son?
Nothing you haven't already thought of.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
Mother, My dear Isaul, Come here, my son? Come.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Esau stepped lightly and knelt at his father's bedside. He
observed his shaking hand reaching out to him, and the
fogged gaze of age the eyes that had beheld, the
wonders of God were dinning. Years had not been kind
to Isaac's body. Isaac held out his hand and touched
(01:54):
Esau's arm. It was coarse with hair, weathered and tough.
Isaac held it firmly.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Here, I am, my son.
Speaker 6 (02:05):
I do not know the day of my death, but
I do know my days are numbered. I don't want
to spend what little time I have left eating dried
lentils and almonds. Take your quiver and bow and hunt
me some game. Go and make me that delicious stew,
(02:30):
the one with the meat and the barley, something hardy
for these weak bones of mine.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Yes, Father, I will kill a deer for you, and
we will eat together.
Speaker 6 (02:46):
I would love nothing more. When you return and bring
me my meal, I shall give you a final blessing,
the blessing of my father Abraham, he saws.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
I glistened with hope. His unfortunate deal with Jacob had
left him wondering if he had lost all his privileges
the first born. Yet, Isaac was determined to give his
favorite son anything he could. Esau ran out of the
tent to retrieve his bow. Each stride was heavy with joy.
(03:20):
He did not see Rebecca standing at the entrance, her
eyes sharp and calculating.
Speaker 5 (03:26):
My sweet and foolish Esau, my innocent and loving Isaac.
Neither of you understand what these blessings mean.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Rebecca had watched Isaac's resources multiply without effort, and witnessed
him narrowly escape peril. Isaac walked like a man touched
by the Creator himself, but knew nothing about how to
leverage such a blessing. She knew their family needed a
steward of cunning and ambition, someone who could harness such
(03:57):
blessings and turn them into tangible power. With a determined step,
she moved towards Jacob's tent.
Speaker 5 (04:04):
This family needs a wiser steward, or else how will
it reach its full potential.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
Ambition and cunning were Rebecca's hidden traits. To her, the
only way you could truly be ambitious and cunning was
to keep such things hidden, something her son Jacob had
yet to learn from her. He soon would. Rebecca softly
stepped away from is extent and sauntered to Jacob. Jacob
(04:32):
was in his tent, sitting with his legs crossed, fiddling
with a small box he'd made for his tools.
Speaker 5 (04:39):
Now is the time for you to tell me your plans.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Jacob turned to his mother and gave a wry smile.
Speaker 4 (04:45):
What plans, mother, My only plans are to do the
will of my lord father and his guard.
Speaker 5 (04:53):
No games, Jacob, tell me what you've been scheming.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
I don't scheme, I prepare. Scheming makes me sound so villainous.
I love this family and I would never jeopardize it
for my own gain. You know, father and Esau have
treated me like an ishmaelite ever since I bought Esau's birthright.
But that's only because they don't see the bigger picture.
I love my brother, but he's a brute, and if
(05:20):
this family is going to survive into the next generation,
I need to see enough.
Speaker 5 (05:24):
Jacob, I understand all this before you is an opportunity,
but you need to listen to me.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
Rebecca leaned in closely and met her son eye to eye.
Her gaze was knowing and intense, reflecting the same spark
of opportunity that Jacob had. They were the same, bonded
by blood and ambition.
Speaker 5 (05:47):
I just overheard your father. He sent Esau on a hunt.
When he returns with food, your father plans on blessing
him with the blessing.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
Of course, Esau is father's favorite. Even though I have
the birthright, he would never yield the blessing to me.
Speaker 5 (06:03):
True, But what if he didn't know it was you.
Go on, go into the flock and bring me two
young goats. I'll prepare a delicious stew for your father,
that kind with a wild barley. He loves. Oh, he's
too old to know the difference between a goat and
a stag. I could feed him moss, and I doubt
he'd recognize it. Bring him the stew and disguise your
(06:26):
voice as Esau's. He'll think it's him and give you
the blessing.
Speaker 4 (06:30):
It's an interesting plan, but I fear there are some holes. First,
I was able to take Esau's birthright through a handshake.
That way, nobody can say I stole it. If I
do this, then I risk the eye of my father
and my brother. Secondly, my brother is harry as a bear.
(06:51):
What if Father reaches from me and feels my smooth skin,
He'll know I'm mocking him, and I'll get a curse
instead of a blessing.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
You won't be cursed, Jacob, And if a curse comes,
let it befall me instead of you trust your mother
and go fetch those goats.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Jacob paused and looked at his mother. Her chin was
slightly tilted upward and her shoulders were rolled back. She
was a force of a woman. Jacob loved his mother,
but moments like these also made him fear her. Jacob
went to the flocks and retrieved two goats. All the
(07:29):
while he daydreamed about what it would be like to
follow the line of Abraham and Isaac. He fantasized about expansion,
power and prominence. He imagined a lovely bride at his side,
with seven sons at his beck and core. He imagined
the heavens opening before his lush and vibrant land, and
(07:51):
God Most High bestowing favor upon him. In all his dreams,
he never thought of Esau. He didn't consider him at
ay or. Jacob brought the goats to his mother. They
skinned and butchered them. Rebecca was careful to preserve the
goat's coarse hair. She laid it out on the tanning table,
(08:12):
drying and smoothing it like fine fabric. After preparing the stew,
Rebecca brought some of Esau's garments and dress.
Speaker 5 (08:21):
Jacob, remember when you bring your father his stew disguise
your voice.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
Are you sure this will work? What if he feels me?
Speaker 5 (08:30):
My son? Have you learned nothing from me? I swear
you're as dull as your brother. Sometimes think things through.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Rebecca grabbed the goatskins and carefully wrapped them around Jacob's
hands and neck. Jacob's eyes widened and he laughed.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
I should have known this is brilliant.
Speaker 5 (08:53):
Don't laugh. This isn't funny or brilliant. It's important. You've
been toying with this idea of being the favorite son.
But have you thought about what it means if you are?
Have you thought about the responsibilities and the weight of
such a mantle. Your father is dull, yes, but he's
responsible and takes his birthright seriously. When you go in there,
(09:18):
do not play like a child. Be a man and
seize what's yours and when you finally have it, except
whatever comes after with courage. Yes, mother, good boy, Now go,
Jacob entered loudly.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
He couldn't afford to be timid. He had to be
esau lumbering, straightforward and loud. He looked down at Isaac,
who was lounging in his bed, staring at the flickering
lamp beside him.
Speaker 6 (09:51):
My father, here I am, But who are you?
Speaker 4 (09:57):
I am Esaul, your fir?
Speaker 2 (10:01):
He saw, Yes, I have done, and you told me
and killed deer, eat my game and bless me.
Speaker 6 (10:09):
You hunted the game so quickly.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
How Jacob paused, throat tight, jaw clenched. He knew what
he was about to say was wrong. Evoking the name
he was about to evoke came with weight.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
God most High gave me success.
Speaker 6 (10:28):
God most High, you say, come here, my son, Come
come close so I may touch your arm. I'm having
a bit of trouble believing it's really you.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Jacob nervously stepped forward. He feared that Rebeccah had underestimated Isaac.
Isaac's trembling hand reached out and felt the goatskin wrapped
around Jacob's hands. His foggy eyes were wide with surprise.
Speaker 6 (10:57):
It's Jacob's voice, but Esau's hands. Are you truly my son, Esau?
Speaker 1 (11:06):
There was that term again, My son, Esau. No matter
what Jacob did or contributed to the family, Esau would
always be his son. Isaac's favoritism affected Jacob in ways
he wasn't even aware of it, was burrowed like a
worm in the depths of his heart, slowly eroding his potential.
(11:29):
Jacob was determined to rid himself of it all. If
he couldn't have his father's love, he would be content
with his blessing and resources. With a final word, Jacob replied.
Speaker 4 (11:41):
I am Esau.
Speaker 6 (11:43):
Then bring me the game you prepared. I would like
to eat my son's game and bless him.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Jacob handed him the bowl and barley loaf. As Isaac ate,
Jacob watched his father's in enthusiasm for the meal was
almost pathetic. He saw Isaac's frailty, the once mighty patriarch
reduced to this vulnerable state. His body had grown soft
(12:13):
with age, no doubt, from days of sitting and knights
of second helpings. His beard was unkempt, and his brows
were like frayed twine. It was hard for Jacob to
believe that God's greatness could be upon him. Jacob couldn't
see the inner world beyond the frail, portly exterior. Behind
(12:34):
those failing eyes lay a soul of unwavering faith, a
man who trusted God's providence. Jacob's journey would be marked
with lessons. Having a childlike faith like his father would
be one of them.
Speaker 6 (12:49):
Well done, he saw, well done. I am satisfied. Now
it is time to prophesy and to offer you the
same blessing as my father offered me. Come here and
kiss me, my son.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
Jacob leaned forward and kiss'd his father on the head.
Isaac smiled and nodded his head.
Speaker 6 (13:15):
Ah, yes, you smell like Esau. You are a man
of the wilderness. May God give you the doo of heaven,
the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine.
May people and nations bow down to you and serve you.
(13:41):
You will be lord over your brothers, and your mother's
son will bend a knee to you.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
Jacob tried not to WinCE at the words he was
robbing Esau of this blessing and saving himself from bowing
a knee to his brother, a prize worth almost as
much as the status.
Speaker 6 (14:03):
Curse it be every one who curses you, and blessed
be every one who blesses you.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
Isaac removed his hand from Jacob's head and released a
content sigh.
Speaker 6 (14:17):
There you are, my son, Esau, Go in peace. Let
this old man rest his bones.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
Jacob said nothing. He bowed his head and left with
heavy steps. When he exited the tent, he let out
a sigh of relief, guilt, and excitement. He looked at
his hands and ripped off the goat skin. They were
trembling shaking. With a mixture of shame and satisfaction, Isaac
(14:50):
leaned back and looked around the inside of his blurry,
undefined tent. Losing his sight had provided him with more
attention to turn inwards. To the best of his ability,
he assessed what had just happened. All of his working
senses had told him that it was Esau, but he
couldn't shake the feeling that something else had happened. The
(15:13):
suspicion didn't bother Isaac things rarely did. Instead, Isaac felt
the premonition that whoever had just received this blessing was
the recipient of something greater than his own. Whatever was
stated would truly come to pass. Isaac was sure of it.
The lids of his eyes grew heavy, and Isaac blissfully
(15:35):
fell asleep, bellyful and heart content. This moment of peace
was swiftly interrupted by heavy steps.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
Father, I have come back with meat.
Speaker 4 (15:48):
Eat and bless me? What is this about?
Speaker 6 (15:51):
Who are you?
Speaker 3 (15:53):
It is me, sire, your firstborn.
Speaker 4 (15:56):
I brought food.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
Isaac's body tries trembled with rage and confusion.
Speaker 6 (16:03):
If if you were my son, Esau, then who was
it that brought me my meal? Who came before you?
Who did I just bless you? Was not me?
Speaker 5 (16:16):
For father?
Speaker 4 (16:17):
You you have made a mistake.
Speaker 6 (16:19):
A mistake. No, I don't believe it was. I did
not intend to bless anyone but you, Esau. But it
was not a mistake. He shall be blessed. Yes, the
blessing remains a prophecy. No, no, no, please, Father, I
(16:42):
can't bear this life without your blessing.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
Esau's large frame shook with grief as he groveled on
his knees in front of Riser.
Speaker 6 (16:52):
I am sorry, my son. Your brother came deceitfully and
took your blessing away. The promise has been given to Jacob.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
Esau's hairy and large body convulsed with a mixture of
rage and sorrow. He continued to shake his head in disbelief.
It was all coming into focus for him. Jacob's play
at his birthright was only the beginning. He wasn't after resource.
Jacob wanted to usurp Esau altogether.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
Can you still bless me?
Speaker 1 (17:30):
Esaw reached for Isaac's hand, but it was pulled away
and he turned his head. Esau clenched his fist and
pounded the floor.
Speaker 6 (17:40):
That snake.
Speaker 4 (17:43):
You were right to name him, Jacob. He's auch aceiver,
He's jenner wad Rice.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
Esau stood and kicked over a pot he screwed. In rage,
he turned to his father again, Is.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
There anything for me?
Speaker 4 (18:01):
What do I have?
Speaker 6 (18:04):
Now? I have made Jacob lord over you. He will
have the servants, the livestock, the grain and the wine.
What left would I have for you?
Speaker 1 (18:19):
My son, he saw, wasn't a clever man like his brother.
He lived with his belly and whims. He was impatient
or creative. He was an honest brute. He wore his
confusion and frustration. He bowed again, asking his father the
same question, as if there would be a different answer.
(18:40):
Tears rolled down his rugged face. If Isaac could see anything,
it would be a pitiful sight.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
Who you have at least one blessing for me?
Speaker 6 (18:55):
Of behold away from the fatness of the earth, Your
dwelling will be you will be distant from the door
of heaven. You will live by the sword and serve
your brother. When you grow restless, you shall break his
(19:16):
yoke from your neck and move on.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
The words were a final seal, a decisive declaration that
Jacob was now the inheritor of Isaac's promise, passed down
from Abraham through Jacob, the blessing of God most High
would endure.
Speaker 5 (19:37):
Ah.
Speaker 4 (19:40):
You will hunt and kill him like the stag.
Speaker 1 (19:47):
Esau stormed out of the tent and looked around, His
eyes narrowed with a hunter's intensity. He grabbed his bow
and arrow, searching frantically for his twin.
Speaker 6 (19:59):
Sir, calm out your cord. You the you don.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
Esaor drew out his blade and cut his hand. He
raised his fist to the air, blood dripping from his palm,
down his arm and onto the dirt.
Speaker 6 (20:26):
When father is gone and I put him in the dirt,
I will have my revens.
Speaker 4 (20:37):
I will kill that credist part.
Speaker 1 (20:41):
Leaning on a beam beside the tent was Rebecca. Her
eyes widened with panic. She fled to the edge of
the hills near the pastures where Jacob would often wander
to think. She had to warn him before it was
too late. It was late, and the faint glow of
(21:02):
dusk dissolved, giving way to the brilliance of the night sky.
Jacob couldn't stop trembling. His calm, cool demeanor was replaced
by an anxious excitement, or perhaps excited anxiety. Jacob wasn't
sure which. His body all of a sudden seemed foreign
to him. He felt as if he was still wearing
(21:23):
the clothes of another man, and they didn't quite fit.
Not yet.
Speaker 4 (21:29):
What now? I have the birthright and the blessing? But
what do I do with them? Where do I go
from here?
Speaker 1 (21:38):
Jacob heard stories of Abraham's encounters with God most High.
He remembered hearing tales by the fire sagas of visions,
angelic visitations, and meteors falling from the sky.
Speaker 4 (21:52):
Will you show me yourself? Will you speak with me
as you did with my forefathers?
Speaker 1 (22:00):
Jacob gazed at the stars longingly, awaiting an answer. The
reeds rustled softly to the breeze. The faint scent of
jasmine wafted up. Jacob breathed it all in, sure that
he would hear something. Then, cutting through the silence, he
heard a voice Jacob. Jacob felt violated by the sound
(22:24):
of his mother's voice. Annoyed, he turned back and shouted.
Speaker 4 (22:29):
What is it? This is my place to think, mother?
What are you doing here?
Speaker 5 (22:34):
He saw nose. He is beside himself.
Speaker 4 (22:38):
I suppose we should have expected that. I'm sure he'll
hate me for a time and then find comfort in
the arms of his hittite bride.
Speaker 5 (22:45):
He's finding comfort in his plans to kill you.
Speaker 4 (22:48):
What he saw it?
Speaker 5 (22:50):
Never he's made a vow to kill you, Jacob. I
heard it.
Speaker 1 (22:54):
Panic jabbed at Jacob's legs. He was shaking, agitated, ready
to run.
Speaker 4 (22:59):
What I do, Mother? What do I do? Mother? What
do I do?
Speaker 3 (23:03):
Mother?
Speaker 4 (23:04):
Tell me what to do?
Speaker 5 (23:05):
Flee to Laban my brother in heron. You can stay
with him until your brother's fury does Maybe with time
he'll forget what you've done to him.
Speaker 4 (23:15):
To come this far and to have it end with
me fleeing like a dog. It just doesn't seem right.
Should I just stay and fight him?
Speaker 5 (23:24):
You think you can fight that man.
Speaker 4 (23:26):
He may be a bear, but I am no lamb.
We're twins, and I have just as much fight in
my bones as he does.
Speaker 5 (23:34):
Out of the question, I won't be bereft of both
of you. Go to Laban. I will send word to
you when I feel it safe.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
Jacob looked past Rebecca's shoulder and down to camp. Torches
illuminated the quiet, serene atmosphere. Household members prepared the meals.
Children danced around the lamp stands, and the faint sound
of liars hummed alongside crickets. It was all his, but
he couldn't have it. He had to flee.
Speaker 4 (24:05):
Will it be here when when I return?
Speaker 5 (24:08):
If the promise made to Abraham stands.
Speaker 1 (24:11):
It will Jacob wrapped his mother in his arms. They
remained locked and embraced for a long while, Knowing that
there was a chance it was their last time seeing
each other. Jacob wiped his eyes and puffed out his chest, then,
without looking back, fled into the wilderness. Rebecca slowly entered
(24:35):
her husband's tent. He recognized her scent as she walked
in the aroma of jasmine and rosemary. But Isaac could
send something else in the air. Rebecca was disquieted and agitated.
Speaker 4 (24:49):
He could hear her.
Speaker 1 (24:50):
Pacing the room. Anxiety leaked from her. It made the
air hard to breathe in. What is troubling you, my love.
Speaker 5 (25:00):
Jacob's gone.
Speaker 6 (25:01):
What why after all that has happened.
Speaker 5 (25:05):
He knows I loathe my life because of the hit
eyed woman Esau married. He's left to go find a
bride of his own. If he marries one of those
hit eyed women, one of those dust dwellers, then there's
no use in living at all.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
Rebecca was diverting Isaac's attention.
Speaker 6 (25:24):
Come here, my love, my sweet Rebecca.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
Isaac innocently reached for her. She sat by his side.
He lifted a trembling hand to her hair and stroked
her cheek.
Speaker 6 (25:38):
No matter what comes, I trust to God most High
will provide. He always provides. Sometimes in the final hour
he responds to our our silent prayers. Have faith, my
little dove, just as I have.
Speaker 1 (25:58):
Rebecca's face oftened. She loved Isaac. She loved his innocence,
his trust, his faith. Her world was filled with spiderwebs
and lies, woven to trap and coerce. Yet his world
was one of truth and trust. It was a simple world,
one of blessings and gratitude. Even though he had just
(26:23):
been deceived by his son to slight another, Isaac didn't
have the slightest bit of worry on his face. Jacob
was out there in the cold wilds, running for his life.
But if the blessing of Isaac was true and trustworthy,
then Rebecca had no need to fret. God most High
(26:45):
went before him, paving the way for him to be great.
This pray Door conproduction is own made possible by our
dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Gattina, Max Bard, Zach
(27:06):
Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of the
Chosen People. Narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by
Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold,
Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and Mitch Leshinsky.
(27:26):
Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvato, bre
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Previously on the chosen people.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Two nations are in your womb. Two people will come
from you and be separated. One people will be stronger
than the other, and the older shall serve the younger.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Esau was a bare, large, hairy, and strong, living by instinct. Jacob, however,
was a cat, smooth, controlled, and cunning. Unlike his brother,
Jacob craved more than sustenance. He sought influence, wealth and power.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Give me some bad read.
Speaker 4 (00:40):
I am starving for your dessy. I've made it for you,
dear brother, but I won't give it for free. What
do you want? I'll give you this stew for Oh,
you're both right. Your status as the firstborn.
Speaker 5 (00:57):
Son sold you his birthright. What do you mean for
what price?
Speaker 4 (01:04):
You know as well as I do that this family
is doomed in Esau's hands. I'm doing you our herdsman,
workers and craftsmen the favor. What are you scheming, my son?
Nothing you haven't already thought of.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
Mother, My dear Isaul, Come here, my son? Come.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
Esau stepped lightly and knelt at his father's bedside. He
observed his shaking hand reaching out to him, and the
fogged gaze of age the eyes that had beheld, the
wonders of God were dinning. Years had not been kind
to Isaac's body. Isaac held out his hand and touched
(01:54):
Esau's arm. It was coarse with hair, weathered and tough.
Isaac held it firmly.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Here, I am, my son.
Speaker 6 (02:05):
I do not know the day of my death, but
I do know my days are numbered. I don't want
to spend what little time I have left eating dried
lentils and almonds. Take your quiver and bow and hunt
me some game. Go and make me that delicious stew,
(02:30):
the one with the meat and the barley, something hardy
for these weak bones of mine.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Yes, Father, I will kill a deer for you, and
we will eat together.
Speaker 6 (02:46):
I would love nothing more. When you return and bring
me my meal, I shall give you a final blessing,
the blessing of my father Abraham, he saws.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
I glistened with hope. His unfortunate deal with Jacob had
left him wondering if he had lost all his privileges
the first born. Yet, Isaac was determined to give his
favorite son anything he could. Esau ran out of the
tent to retrieve his bow. Each stride was heavy with joy.
(03:20):
He did not see Rebecca standing at the entrance, her
eyes sharp and calculating.
Speaker 5 (03:26):
My sweet and foolish Esau, my innocent and loving Isaac.
Neither of you understand what these blessings mean.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
Rebecca had watched Isaac's resources multiply without effort, and witnessed
him narrowly escape peril. Isaac walked like a man touched
by the Creator himself, but knew nothing about how to
leverage such a blessing. She knew their family needed a
steward of cunning and ambition, someone who could harness such
(03:57):
blessings and turn them into tangible power. With a determined step,
she moved towards Jacob's tent.
Speaker 5 (04:04):
This family needs a wiser steward, or else how will
it reach its full potential.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
Ambition and cunning were Rebecca's hidden traits. To her, the
only way you could truly be ambitious and cunning was
to keep such things hidden, something her son Jacob had
yet to learn from her. He soon would. Rebecca softly
stepped away from is extent and sauntered to Jacob. Jacob
(04:32):
was in his tent, sitting with his legs crossed, fiddling
with a small box he'd made for his tools.
Speaker 5 (04:39):
Now is the time for you to tell me your plans.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
Jacob turned to his mother and gave a wry smile.
Speaker 4 (04:45):
What plans, mother, My only plans are to do the
will of my lord father and his guard.
Speaker 5 (04:53):
No games, Jacob, tell me what you've been scheming.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
I don't scheme, I prepare. Scheming makes me sound so villainous.
I love this family and I would never jeopardize it
for my own gain. You know, father and Esau have
treated me like an ishmaelite ever since I bought Esau's birthright.
But that's only because they don't see the bigger picture.
I love my brother, but he's a brute, and if
(05:20):
this family is going to survive into the next generation,
I need to see enough.
Speaker 5 (05:24):
Jacob, I understand all this before you is an opportunity,
but you need to listen to me.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
Rebecca leaned in closely and met her son eye to eye.
Her gaze was knowing and intense, reflecting the same spark
of opportunity that Jacob had. They were the same, bonded
by blood and ambition.
Speaker 5 (05:47):
I just overheard your father. He sent Esau on a hunt.
When he returns with food, your father plans on blessing
him with the blessing.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
Of course, Esau is father's favorite. Even though I have
the birthright, he would never yield the blessing to me.
Speaker 5 (06:03):
True, But what if he didn't know it was you.
Go on, go into the flock and bring me two
young goats. I'll prepare a delicious stew for your father,
that kind with a wild barley. He loves. Oh, he's
too old to know the difference between a goat and
a stag. I could feed him moss, and I doubt
he'd recognize it. Bring him the stew and disguise your
(06:26):
voice as Esau's. He'll think it's him and give you
the blessing.
Speaker 4 (06:30):
It's an interesting plan, but I fear there are some holes. First,
I was able to take Esau's birthright through a handshake.
That way, nobody can say I stole it. If I
do this, then I risk the eye of my father
and my brother. Secondly, my brother is harry as a bear.
(06:51):
What if Father reaches from me and feels my smooth skin,
He'll know I'm mocking him, and I'll get a curse
instead of a blessing.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
You won't be cursed, Jacob, And if a curse comes,
let it befall me instead of you trust your mother
and go fetch those goats.
Speaker 1 (07:08):
Jacob paused and looked at his mother. Her chin was
slightly tilted upward and her shoulders were rolled back. She
was a force of a woman. Jacob loved his mother,
but moments like these also made him fear her. Jacob
went to the flocks and retrieved two goats. All the
(07:29):
while he daydreamed about what it would be like to
follow the line of Abraham and Isaac. He fantasized about expansion,
power and prominence. He imagined a lovely bride at his side,
with seven sons at his beck and core. He imagined
the heavens opening before his lush and vibrant land, and
(07:51):
God Most High bestowing favor upon him. In all his dreams,
he never thought of Esau. He didn't consider him at
ay or. Jacob brought the goats to his mother. They
skinned and butchered them. Rebecca was careful to preserve the
goat's coarse hair. She laid it out on the tanning table,
(08:12):
drying and smoothing it like fine fabric. After preparing the stew,
Rebecca brought some of Esau's garments and dress.
Speaker 5 (08:21):
Jacob, remember when you bring your father his stew disguise
your voice.
Speaker 4 (08:26):
Are you sure this will work? What if he feels me?
Speaker 5 (08:30):
My son? Have you learned nothing from me? I swear
you're as dull as your brother. Sometimes think things through.
Speaker 1 (08:40):
Rebecca grabbed the goatskins and carefully wrapped them around Jacob's
hands and neck. Jacob's eyes widened and he laughed.
Speaker 4 (08:49):
I should have known this is brilliant.
Speaker 5 (08:53):
Don't laugh. This isn't funny or brilliant. It's important. You've
been toying with this idea of being the favorite son.
But have you thought about what it means if you are?
Have you thought about the responsibilities and the weight of
such a mantle. Your father is dull, yes, but he's
responsible and takes his birthright seriously. When you go in there,
(09:18):
do not play like a child. Be a man and
seize what's yours and when you finally have it, except
whatever comes after with courage. Yes, mother, good boy, Now go,
Jacob entered loudly.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
He couldn't afford to be timid. He had to be
esau lumbering, straightforward and loud. He looked down at Isaac,
who was lounging in his bed, staring at the flickering
lamp beside him.
Speaker 6 (09:51):
My father, here I am, But who are you?
Speaker 4 (09:57):
I am Esaul, your fir?
Speaker 2 (10:01):
He saw, Yes, I have done, and you told me
and killed deer, eat my game and bless me.
Speaker 6 (10:09):
You hunted the game so quickly.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
How Jacob paused, throat tight, jaw clenched. He knew what
he was about to say was wrong. Evoking the name
he was about to evoke came with weight.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
God most High gave me success.
Speaker 6 (10:28):
God most High, you say, come here, my son, Come
come close so I may touch your arm. I'm having
a bit of trouble believing it's really you.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
Jacob nervously stepped forward. He feared that Rebeccah had underestimated Isaac.
Isaac's trembling hand reached out and felt the goatskin wrapped
around Jacob's hands. His foggy eyes were wide with surprise.
Speaker 6 (10:57):
It's Jacob's voice, but Esau's hands. Are you truly my son, Esau?
Speaker 1 (11:06):
There was that term again, My son, Esau. No matter
what Jacob did or contributed to the family, Esau would
always be his son. Isaac's favoritism affected Jacob in ways
he wasn't even aware of it, was burrowed like a
worm in the depths of his heart, slowly eroding his potential.
(11:29):
Jacob was determined to rid himself of it all. If
he couldn't have his father's love, he would be content
with his blessing and resources. With a final word, Jacob replied.
Speaker 4 (11:41):
I am Esau.
Speaker 6 (11:43):
Then bring me the game you prepared. I would like
to eat my son's game and bless him.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
Jacob handed him the bowl and barley loaf. As Isaac ate,
Jacob watched his father's in enthusiasm for the meal was
almost pathetic. He saw Isaac's frailty, the once mighty patriarch
reduced to this vulnerable state. His body had grown soft
(12:13):
with age, no doubt, from days of sitting and knights
of second helpings. His beard was unkempt, and his brows
were like frayed twine. It was hard for Jacob to
believe that God's greatness could be upon him. Jacob couldn't
see the inner world beyond the frail, portly exterior. Behind
(12:34):
those failing eyes lay a soul of unwavering faith, a
man who trusted God's providence. Jacob's journey would be marked
with lessons. Having a childlike faith like his father would
be one of them.
Speaker 6 (12:49):
Well done, he saw, well done. I am satisfied. Now
it is time to prophesy and to offer you the
same blessing as my father offered me. Come here and
kiss me, my son.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
Jacob leaned forward and kiss'd his father on the head.
Isaac smiled and nodded his head.
Speaker 6 (13:15):
Ah, yes, you smell like Esau. You are a man
of the wilderness. May God give you the doo of heaven,
the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine.
May people and nations bow down to you and serve you.
(13:41):
You will be lord over your brothers, and your mother's
son will bend a knee to you.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
Jacob tried not to WinCE at the words he was
robbing Esau of this blessing and saving himself from bowing
a knee to his brother, a prize worth almost as
much as the status.
Speaker 6 (14:03):
Curse it be every one who curses you, and blessed
be every one who blesses you.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
Isaac removed his hand from Jacob's head and released a
content sigh.
Speaker 6 (14:17):
There you are, my son, Esau, Go in peace. Let
this old man rest his bones.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
Jacob said nothing. He bowed his head and left with
heavy steps. When he exited the tent, he let out
a sigh of relief, guilt, and excitement. He looked at
his hands and ripped off the goat skin. They were
trembling shaking. With a mixture of shame and satisfaction, Isaac
(14:50):
leaned back and looked around the inside of his blurry,
undefined tent. Losing his sight had provided him with more
attention to turn inwards. To the best of his ability,
he assessed what had just happened. All of his working
senses had told him that it was Esau, but he
couldn't shake the feeling that something else had happened. The
(15:13):
suspicion didn't bother Isaac things rarely did. Instead, Isaac felt
the premonition that whoever had just received this blessing was
the recipient of something greater than his own. Whatever was
stated would truly come to pass. Isaac was sure of it.
The lids of his eyes grew heavy, and Isaac blissfully
(15:35):
fell asleep, bellyful and heart content. This moment of peace
was swiftly interrupted by heavy steps.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
Father, I have come back with meat.
Speaker 4 (15:48):
Eat and bless me? What is this about?
Speaker 6 (15:51):
Who are you?
Speaker 3 (15:53):
It is me, sire, your firstborn.
Speaker 4 (15:56):
I brought food.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
Isaac's body tries trembled with rage and confusion.
Speaker 6 (16:03):
If if you were my son, Esau, then who was
it that brought me my meal? Who came before you?
Who did I just bless you? Was not me?
Speaker 5 (16:16):
For father?
Speaker 4 (16:17):
You you have made a mistake.
Speaker 6 (16:19):
A mistake. No, I don't believe it was. I did
not intend to bless anyone but you, Esau. But it
was not a mistake. He shall be blessed. Yes, the
blessing remains a prophecy. No, no, no, please, Father, I
(16:42):
can't bear this life without your blessing.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
Esau's large frame shook with grief as he groveled on
his knees in front of Riser.
Speaker 6 (16:52):
I am sorry, my son. Your brother came deceitfully and
took your blessing away. The promise has been given to Jacob.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
Esau's hairy and large body convulsed with a mixture of
rage and sorrow. He continued to shake his head in disbelief.
It was all coming into focus for him. Jacob's play
at his birthright was only the beginning. He wasn't after resource.
Jacob wanted to usurp Esau altogether.
Speaker 4 (17:26):
Can you still bless me?
Speaker 1 (17:30):
Esaw reached for Isaac's hand, but it was pulled away
and he turned his head. Esau clenched his fist and
pounded the floor.
Speaker 6 (17:40):
That snake.
Speaker 4 (17:43):
You were right to name him, Jacob. He's auch aceiver,
He's jenner wad Rice.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
Esau stood and kicked over a pot he screwed. In rage,
he turned to his father again, Is.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
There anything for me?
Speaker 4 (18:01):
What do I have?
Speaker 6 (18:04):
Now? I have made Jacob lord over you. He will
have the servants, the livestock, the grain and the wine.
What left would I have for you?
Speaker 1 (18:19):
My son, he saw, wasn't a clever man like his brother.
He lived with his belly and whims. He was impatient
or creative. He was an honest brute. He wore his
confusion and frustration. He bowed again, asking his father the
same question, as if there would be a different answer.
(18:40):
Tears rolled down his rugged face. If Isaac could see anything,
it would be a pitiful sight.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
Who you have at least one blessing for me?
Speaker 6 (18:55):
Of behold away from the fatness of the earth, Your
dwelling will be you will be distant from the door
of heaven. You will live by the sword and serve
your brother. When you grow restless, you shall break his
(19:16):
yoke from your neck and move on.
Speaker 1 (19:20):
The words were a final seal, a decisive declaration that
Jacob was now the inheritor of Isaac's promise, passed down
from Abraham through Jacob, the blessing of God most High
would endure.
Speaker 5 (19:37):
Ah.
Speaker 4 (19:40):
You will hunt and kill him like the stag.
Speaker 1 (19:47):
Esau stormed out of the tent and looked around, His
eyes narrowed with a hunter's intensity. He grabbed his bow
and arrow, searching frantically for his twin.
Speaker 6 (19:59):
Sir, calm out your cord. You the you don.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
Esaor drew out his blade and cut his hand. He
raised his fist to the air, blood dripping from his palm,
down his arm and onto the dirt.
Speaker 6 (20:26):
When father is gone and I put him in the dirt,
I will have my revens.
Speaker 4 (20:37):
I will kill that credist part.
Speaker 1 (20:41):
Leaning on a beam beside the tent was Rebecca. Her
eyes widened with panic. She fled to the edge of
the hills near the pastures where Jacob would often wander
to think. She had to warn him before it was
too late. It was late, and the faint glow of
(21:02):
dusk dissolved, giving way to the brilliance of the night sky.
Jacob couldn't stop trembling. His calm, cool demeanor was replaced
by an anxious excitement, or perhaps excited anxiety. Jacob wasn't
sure which. His body all of a sudden seemed foreign
to him. He felt as if he was still wearing
(21:23):
the clothes of another man, and they didn't quite fit.
Not yet.
Speaker 4 (21:29):
What now? I have the birthright and the blessing? But
what do I do with them? Where do I go
from here?
Speaker 1 (21:38):
Jacob heard stories of Abraham's encounters with God most High.
He remembered hearing tales by the fire sagas of visions,
angelic visitations, and meteors falling from the sky.
Speaker 4 (21:52):
Will you show me yourself? Will you speak with me
as you did with my forefathers?
Speaker 1 (22:00):
Jacob gazed at the stars longingly, awaiting an answer. The
reeds rustled softly to the breeze. The faint scent of
jasmine wafted up. Jacob breathed it all in, sure that
he would hear something. Then, cutting through the silence, he
heard a voice Jacob. Jacob felt violated by the sound
(22:24):
of his mother's voice. Annoyed, he turned back and shouted.
Speaker 4 (22:29):
What is it? This is my place to think, mother?
What are you doing here?
Speaker 5 (22:34):
He saw nose. He is beside himself.
Speaker 4 (22:38):
I suppose we should have expected that. I'm sure he'll
hate me for a time and then find comfort in
the arms of his hittite bride.
Speaker 5 (22:45):
He's finding comfort in his plans to kill you.
Speaker 4 (22:48):
What he saw it?
Speaker 5 (22:50):
Never he's made a vow to kill you, Jacob. I
heard it.
Speaker 1 (22:54):
Panic jabbed at Jacob's legs. He was shaking, agitated, ready
to run.
Speaker 4 (22:59):
What I do, Mother? What do I do? Mother? What
do I do?
Speaker 3 (23:03):
Mother?
Speaker 4 (23:04):
Tell me what to do?
Speaker 5 (23:05):
Flee to Laban my brother in heron. You can stay
with him until your brother's fury does Maybe with time
he'll forget what you've done to him.
Speaker 4 (23:15):
To come this far and to have it end with
me fleeing like a dog. It just doesn't seem right.
Should I just stay and fight him?
Speaker 5 (23:24):
You think you can fight that man.
Speaker 4 (23:26):
He may be a bear, but I am no lamb.
We're twins, and I have just as much fight in
my bones as he does.
Speaker 5 (23:34):
Out of the question, I won't be bereft of both
of you. Go to Laban. I will send word to
you when I feel it safe.
Speaker 1 (23:42):
Jacob looked past Rebecca's shoulder and down to camp. Torches
illuminated the quiet, serene atmosphere. Household members prepared the meals.
Children danced around the lamp stands, and the faint sound
of liars hummed alongside crickets. It was all his, but
he couldn't have it. He had to flee.
Speaker 4 (24:05):
Will it be here when when I return?
Speaker 5 (24:08):
If the promise made to Abraham stands.
Speaker 1 (24:11):
It will Jacob wrapped his mother in his arms. They
remained locked and embraced for a long while, Knowing that
there was a chance it was their last time seeing
each other. Jacob wiped his eyes and puffed out his chest, then,
without looking back, fled into the wilderness. Rebecca slowly entered
(24:35):
her husband's tent. He recognized her scent as she walked
in the aroma of jasmine and rosemary. But Isaac could
send something else in the air. Rebecca was disquieted and agitated.
Speaker 4 (24:49):
He could hear her.
Speaker 1 (24:50):
Pacing the room. Anxiety leaked from her. It made the
air hard to breathe in. What is troubling you, my love.
Speaker 5 (25:00):
Jacob's gone.
Speaker 6 (25:01):
What why after all that has happened.
Speaker 5 (25:05):
He knows I loathe my life because of the hit
eyed woman Esau married. He's left to go find a
bride of his own. If he marries one of those
hit eyed women, one of those dust dwellers, then there's
no use in living at all.
Speaker 1 (25:21):
Rebecca was diverting Isaac's attention.
Speaker 6 (25:24):
Come here, my love, my sweet Rebecca.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
Isaac innocently reached for her. She sat by his side.
He lifted a trembling hand to her hair and stroked
her cheek.
Speaker 6 (25:38):
No matter what comes, I trust to God most High
will provide. He always provides. Sometimes in the final hour
he responds to our our silent prayers. Have faith, my
little dove, just as I have.
Speaker 1 (25:58):
Rebecca's face oftened. She loved Isaac. She loved his innocence,
his trust, his faith. Her world was filled with spiderwebs
and lies, woven to trap and coerce. Yet his world
was one of truth and trust. It was a simple world,
one of blessings and gratitude. Even though he had just
(26:23):
been deceived by his son to slight another, Isaac didn't
have the slightest bit of worry on his face. Jacob
was out there in the cold wilds, running for his life.
But if the blessing of Isaac was true and trustworthy,
then Rebecca had no need to fret. God most High
(26:45):
went before him, paving the way for him to be great.
This pray Door conproduction is own made possible by our
dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Gattina, Max Bard, Zach
(27:06):
Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of the
Chosen People. Narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by
Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold,
Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and Mitch Leshinsky.
(27:26):
Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvato, bre
Rosalie and Chris Baig. You can hear more Prey dot
Com productions on the Prey dot Com app, available on
the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you
enjoyed The Chosen People, please rate and leave a review.
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