Today's first reading tells how the younger of Isaac's twin sons, Jacob, tricks his aging father out of a blessing that was intended for the eldest, Esau. The sibling rivalry boils over, forcing Jacob to flee from his brother's threat to kill him.
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The second selection describes the eventual reconciliation of the two brothers, after both have married, raised families, and found financial success. The night before the reunion, though, a fearful Jacob spends a sleepless night wrestling with a heavenly being (an angel? God?), who blesses him with a new identity, Israel -- meaning one who has striven or fought with God and won.
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Reading the Bible in Its Entirety
If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Genesis 31-40 today.
