seeing the unseen

Hebrews 11:21

There is an interesting theme developed in Isaac and Jacob in regards to eyesight. Isaac was nearly blind and, as a result this and Jacob's scheming, blessed Jacob over Esau. Jacob was nearly blind and blessed Joseph's younger son over the older. Joseph thought this was a mistake due to Jacob's blindness but Jacob was emphatic. Both men were blind but were given special insight, in one case without his consent, into the unseen. Joseph's younger son would play a leading role in the history of Israel (Joshua was from Ephraim, for example). This fits very well with the author's theme: faith is being certain of the unseen.
I love the image of Jacob worshiping while leaning on his staff. All his life he was so dependent on himself and in his old age he is dependent on his staff for physical support and dependent on God for life. I pray that I would learn that lesson earlier in my life than Jacob did.