She therefore directed Jacob to slay two kids of the goats and bring them to her and she prepared some savory meat; and then, in order that the blind father might not obstinately refuse to aid them in carrying out the divine purposes, and in order that he might think he was blessing Esau, the mother Rebekah fastened upon the arms of her son Jacob the skins of the kids and also put the skins about his neck that he would appear as a hairy man like unto his brother Esau.
[112]Jacob then came in before his father and presented the savory meat.
His father kissed him and laid his hand upon him and gave to Jacob his blessing.

The old father then spoke in prophetic phrase, evidently under the direction of the Lord, saying unto his son Jacob: "Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee" .-- Genesis 27:29.
[113]Almost immediately Esau returned from the field and found that Jacob had received his father's blessing and that he (Esau) had been unsuccessful in carrying out his purpose of defeating the open and fair transaction which he had made with Jacob when he had sold his birthright.

He hated his brother Jacob and determined to kill him as soon as his father Isaac was dead.
[114]It seems rather strange that many Christian people have severely criticized Jacob and his mother Rebekah in this transaction.

It has evidently been due to the fact that they were ignorant of the record.

No part of Jacob's action in connection with the birthright is reprehensible.