Book of Jubilees turns to Rebecca Blesses Jacob Before He Deceives Isaac.
“Blessed be he that blesseth thee, And all flesh that curseth thee falsely may it be cursed."
Simple, yet profound. It’s a wish for reciprocal blessing. A promise that those who speak well of Jacob will, in turn, be blessed. But it also carries a protective edge: those who unjustly curse him will face consequences. It's a reminder that words have power, that blessings and curses aren’t just empty phrases.
Then comes the truly touching part. Rebecca, full of maternal love, kisses Jacob and says:
"May the Lord of the world love thee As the heart of thy mother and her affection rejoice in thee and bless thee."
Can you feel the warmth radiating from those words? It’s a mother's deepest wish for her child – to be loved by God as intensely as she loves him. It's a plea for divine favor, wrapped in the boundless affection of a mother’s heart. What a beautiful sentiment.
It makes you think about the blessings we give and receive. Do we truly mean them? Do we understand the weight they carry? Are we mindful of the power our words possess?
The scene shifts rather abruptly after this blessing. The narrative moves ahead to the seventh year of the week. Isaac, now old and with failing eyesight, calls for Esau. "I am old, my son, and behold my eyes are dim in seeing, and I know not the day of my death." The stage is set for the next act in this family drama, but before we get there, let's linger a moment longer with that beautiful blessing from Rebecca.
It's a reminder that even amidst trickery and familial strife, the core of human connection – love, hope, and the desire for blessing – shines through. And perhaps, that’s a message we can all take to heart. What blessings can we offer to the world today?