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The challenge Isaac faced was to continue the legacy of his great father, who had revealed the light of faith to the world. It is often easier to start a revolution than to sustain it over time. Isaac carried on the legacy, faithfully and with fortitude. It is a characteristic fact of Isaac's life that he was the only one of the forefathers born in the Land of Israel and never left it. Even when famine struck and Isaac sought to go to Egypt as his father had done, God instructed him to remain in the Land. In his agricultural endeavors he was diligent and successful. Isaac even managed to return and open the wells his father had dug, after the Philistines had sealed them.
The story of the quest to find a wife for Isaac, epitomizes the legacy of kindness in Abraham and Sarah’s family. Abraham’s servant Eliezer needed criteria to evaluate a worthy candidate to become Isaac’s wife. So he traveled to Haran, stood near a spring, and decided to ask the young women there to give him a little water to drink. The woman who would not only give him water, but also offer water to his camels, she would be the right one for Isaac. God arranged for Rebecca – Abraham's relative – to be there and when Eliezer asked, she quickly gave it to him. Then, out of her own diligence and goodness, she hurried back to the well and drew more water to provide for all of the thirsty camels.
Initially Rebecca was also infertile, and after years of prayer, she gave birth to twins, Jacob and Esau. The boys paths diverged: Jacob was a humble person who stayed at home, while Esau was a hunter and man of the field, willing to kill to get what he sought. When Jacob saw that Esau was not suited to continue the family's legacy and how he demeaned his role to lead as the firstborn – Jacob acquired the birthright from his brother in exchange for a bowl of lentils.
When Isaac was old and partially blind, he wished to bless his firstborn son. Rebecca was aware of Esau’s misconduct and understood he was not suited to continue their mission. She ordered Jacob to dress up as his brother and receive the blessing meant for Esau and that is how Isaac blessed Jacob. After Isaac became aware of his mistake, he did not rescind his blessing. Rather, he accepted that the blessing was destined for Jacob. It seems that Isaac also knew Esau was sinful but since he was the firstborn, he assumed that there was no choice but to bless him. When Isaac understood that he had accidentally blessed Jacob and that Esau had already sold the birthright to his brother, Isaac was pleased that God had arranged things in such a way so that Jacob received the blessing.
