Esau’s Clothes

Genesis 27-29

Ever been into a mystery book, trying to solve a problem, and feel like you haven’t been given all the clues to connect the dots? That’s how the sleuth in me felt studying the tale of Jacob and Esau today.

How does a father, no matter how blind he is, not know his own sons? And even if goat skin covered Jacob’s arms, neck, and hands, how do you not feel the difference in texture or smell the dead flesh of animal? Then I spotted the clue.

“…[Rebekah] took Esau’s favorite clothes, which were there in the house, and gave them to her younger son, Jacob.” Genesis‬ ‭27‬:‭15‬ NLT‬‬

Considering they didn’t have perfume-scented dryer sheets back in Bible times, I’m sure “…the smell of the outdoors,” (Genesis‬ ‭27‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬) might be convincing to a senile old man.