nd two peoples born of you shall be
             the one shall be stronger than the other,
             the elder shall serve the younger.' 25.23
             But when it comes to his receiving Isaac's blessing, Isaac does not know of the sale of the birthright, and offers Esau the blessing because he is the first born: "'See, I am old... prepare for me savory food... so that I may bless you before I die'" (27.2–4). The bribery is Jacob's initial and unsuccessful attempt to usurp his brother's status. For his second attempt, he needs the help of their mother.
             Rebekah knows that Jacob is the chosen son because God told her "'the elder shall serve the younger'" (25.23) and so she conspires with Jacob to steal the blind father's blessing. She has heard Isaac direct Esau how to receive the blessing (27.2–5), so she tells Jacob, "'Go to the flock, and get me two choice kids, so that I may prepare from them savory food for your father, such as he likes; and you shall take it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies'" (27.9,10). Jacob brings the ki
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