Genesis 25:24 – 28 “When her (Rebekah’s) time came to give birth, there were indeed twins in her womb. The first one came out red, covered with hair like a fur coat; so they named him Esau. (Hairy) After this, his brother came out grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. (He grasps the heel/he deceives.) And Isaac was sixty years old when the twins were born. When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home. Because Isaac had a taste for wild game, he loved Esau; but Rebekah loved Jacob.”
Abraham is dead and Isaac has married a gorgeous lady named Rebekah. Rebekah gives birth to twins. Even in the womb, the boys struggle with one another, and things don’t get better as they get older. Esau, the first – born, is an impetuous macho man while Jacob is quiet but intelligent.
v.29 – 34 “One day, while Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the field and was famished. He said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am famished.” (That is why he was also called Edom. “Edom” means “red.” ) “First sell me your birthright,” Jacob replied. “Look,” said Esau, “I am about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?” “Swear to me first,” Jacob said. So Esau swore to Jacob and sold him the birthright. Then Jacob gave some bread and lentil stew to Esau; he ate and drank, and then got up and went away. Thus Esau despised his birthright.”
Wikipedia says this about the birthright:The birthright (bekorah) has to do with both position and inheritance. By birthright, the firstborn son inherited the leadership of the family and the judicial authority of his father. Deuteronomy 21:17 states that he was also entitled to a double portion of the paternal inheritance.
Esau acts impulsively. As he did not value his birthright over a bowl of lentil stew, by his actions, Esau demonstrates that he does not deserve to be the one who continues Abraham’s responsibilities and rewards under God’s covenant, since he does not have the steady, thoughtful qualities which are required. Jacob shows his willingness as well as his greater intelligence and forethought. What he does is not quite honorable, though not illegal. The birthright benefit that he gains is at least partially valid, although he is insecure enough about it to conspire later with his mother to deceive his father so as to gain the blessing for the first-born as well.
Two brothers with totally different personalities, each one the favorite of a parent – what a set – up for disaster! Esau is a drama king; was he REALLY about to die from hunger? And although this is an ancient story, such problems continue to the present day. One family of our acquaintance was torn apart when three siblings fought over the items left by an elderly relative. Two of the siblings reconciled; however, the third died just before he could make peace with a sister.
APPLICATION: Are you having problems with a sibling? Perhaps you have always believed that your brother or sister was the chosen child while you came out second best. Perhaps your family has squabbled over an inheritance. The number of ways in which brothers and sisters can fight is unlimited. But some day, you might find yourself at a grave side wishing that you had made peace. Settle your differences while there is still time! No amount of money or other stuff is worth hating a brother or a sister! And you might get a surprise. Two of our friends each believed that the other was the father’s favorite, only to learn in late adulthood that the father loved both of them but was unable to compliment them to their faces.
PRAYER: Father God, help us to forgive family members who may have wronged us. And help us to see where we ourselves might have wronged them. Let your healing flow in our families so that we will not have any regrets later on. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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