Every child needs their father’s blessing, and every father should speak words of blessing to them. When Isaac blessed his sons he was speaking with divinely given authority, not out of sentiment or favouritism. By Hebrew custom a father’s blessing had these ingredients: 1) A meaningful touch. ‘Jacob went close to his father…who touched him…Then his father Isaac said to him, “Come here, my son, and kiss me”’ (Genesis 27:22, 26 NIV 2011 Edition). A father’s blessing included the laying on of hands, a kiss, and an embrace of love and acceptance. Jesus also knew the importance of this: ‘He took [the children] up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them’ (Mark 10:16 KJV). And such expressions of love still bless your children’s hearts when they get them from you, Dad. 2) Words of affection. Before blessing Jacob his father Isaac said to him, ‘Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed’ (Genesis 27:27 NIV 2011 Edition). To a city dweller these words might bring a puzzled look, but not to Isaac’s boys. Isaac, who loved nature, was saying, ‘That’s my boy – a country boy, a hunter, a man’s man like his dad!’ He couldn’t have spoken more affirming words to his sons. Dad, make sure your words aren’t demeaning or insensitive; speak words that say, ‘I love you, I believe in you, I’m proud of you, and I’ll always be here for you.’