Richard McBee
artist & writer

Isaac 2006 18" x 14"

After Isaac is placed on the altar (Genesis 22:9), the text doesn’t mention him again until he meets his future wife, 96 verses later (Genesis 24:63).  Frozen in time, he cannot forget the terror.

Isaac Returns 1997 30" x 24"

The midrash relates that Isaac returns to his mother and tells her of his ordeal after the Akeidah.

Eliezar at the Well 1994 18" x 18"

(Genesis 27: 30 – 41)

10  And the servant took ten of his master’s camels, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand; and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. 11  And he made his camels kneel down outside the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, the time that women go out to draw water. 12  And he said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, I beseech you, send me good speed this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13  Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water; 14  And let it come to pass, that the girl to whom I shall say, Let down your water jar, I beg you, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give your camels drink also; let the same be she whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that you have shown kindness to my master. 15  And it came to pass, before he had finished speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her water jar upon her shoulder. 16  And the girl was very pretty to look upon, a virgin, and no man had known her; and she went down to the well, and filled her water jar, and came up.

 [Used with permission Davka Corporation]

Bartering Birthright 200118" x 24"

Bartered Birthright

Genesis 25: 27 – 34

27 And the boys grew; and Esau was a skilful hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. 28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he ate of his venison; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

29 And Jacob cooked pottage; and Esau came from the field, and he was famished. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I beg you, with that same red pottage; for I am famished; therefore was his name called Edom. 31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day your birthright. 32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point of death; and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he swore to him; and he sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way; thus Esau despised his birthright.

Used with permission Davka Corporation