When Isaac blessed his sons, he was acting on God’s behalf, using his divinely delegated power to impart blessing. A father’s blessing was a cherished thing, but its effectiveness rested on the fact that Isaac blessed his sons as an act of faith and not just out of empty sentiment or favouritism, or because it would make him look good. By Hebrew custom, a father’s blessing was made up of two elements. 1) A meaningful touch. ‘Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him…Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come here, my son, and kiss me”’ (Genesis 27:22, 26 NIV). A patriarch’s blessing included the laying on of hands, a kiss, and embrace of acceptance and love. Jesus knew exactly what children needed; that’s why ‘he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them’ (Mark 10:16 KJV). And expressions of love like these are still valuable to people who are having a bad day, who don’t often hear kind words, or who need a reminder of God’s love. 2) A spoken word of affection. Before blessing Jacob, his father said to him, ‘Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed’ (Genesis 27:27 NIV). To a city dweller these words might not mean much, but not to Isaac’s boys. This old patriarch who loved nature and the outdoors was basically saying, ‘That’s my boy – someone I’m proud of, who loves spending time in God’s creation, just like me!’ He couldn’t have spoken more affirming words to his son. We might not have had the best experience of a father, and many of us aren’t parents; but why not try using some of the wise and caring elements of Isaac’s blessing to encourage someone you know today!
