Contemplative Bible Reading

Genesis 27:27-29 (New Living Translation)

27 So Jacob went over and kissed him. And when Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he was finally convinced, and he blessed his son. He said, “Ah! The smell of my son is like the smell of the outdoors, which the Lord has blessed!

28 “From the dew of heaven
and the richness of the earth,
may God always give you abundant harvests of grain
and bountiful new wine.
29 May many nations become your servants,
and may they bow down to you.
May you be the master over your brothers,
and may your mother’s sons bow down to you.
All who curse you will be cursed,
and all who bless you will be blessed.”

These are the words Jacob spoke to bless his younger son Isaac instead of his older son Esau. Seems pretty simple. Who would get all riled up over these words? Yet, Isaac and his mother lied, cheated, and stole to receive these words (more on that some other day).

These words, however, meant something. Words used to mean something to some people in some places. People listened and took words to heart. People changed their lives by hearing words. It was simple yet profound.

Take a lesson from this? Look at a person, pause, breathe, think, and say a few words like, “You are created by God and put in this place at this time for a reason. May God guide you and bless you. May you listen to God and bless others with the blessings of God.”