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Genesis 25b:

Selling the birthright

Today we can look at the twins and their destiny.

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Genesis 25:

27 And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. 28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.

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Jacob and Esau, the twin sons of Isaac, present a striking contrast, both in character and in life.  The Angel of God foretold this unlikeness before their birth as we have seen.  At that time and for many centuries it was a mystery how He managed that without engineering it, but today we know that He could have seen this by their respective DNA’s strings which contain all our inherited foibles.  God allows free choice even in the laying of the foundation of characters in the womb.

When in answer to Rebekah's troubled prayer He declared that two sons would be given her, He opened to her their future history, that each would become the head of a mighty nation, but that one would be greater than the other, and that the younger would have the pre-eminence.  He was NOT forecasting that one would be saved and the other lost as so many read the Scripture, although that did happen.  Both were great sinners, but one, like the prodigal of later times, repented and was cleansed.  The other held on to his character and was lost with it.  It was their choice, not His.

Esau grew up loving self-gratification and centring all his interest in the present. Impatient of restraint, he delighted in the wild freedom of the chase, and early chose the life of a hunter and killer. Yet he was his father's favourite. The quiet, peace-loving shepherd was attracted by the daring and vigour of this elder son, who fearlessly ranged over mountain and desert, returning home with game for his father and with exciting accounts of his adventurous life.

Jacob, thoughtful, diligent, and care-taking, ever thinking more of the future than the present, was content to dwell at home occupied in the care of the flocks and the working of the soil. His mother valued his patient perseverance, thrift, and foresight. His affections were deep and strong, and his gentle, unceasing attentions added far more to her happiness than did the boisterous and occasional kindnesses of Esau. To Rebekah, Jacob was the dearer son.

In this way, both parents helped to prove Jesus right! They unwisely cultivated the inherited tendencies of the children.

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Genesis 25:

29 And Jacob sod pottage [cooked a meal of red lentils in a pot]: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint [weary].  30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Feed me, I pray you, with that same red pottage; for I am faint” [and lazy]: therefore was his name [also] called Edom [“red”].

31 And Jacob said, “Sell me this day your birthright [as eldest son].

32 And Esau said, “Behold, I am at the point to die: 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. 

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The promises made to Abraham and confirmed to his son, were held by Isaac and Rebekah as the great object of their desires and hopes. With these promises Esau and Jacob were familiar.  From childhood they were taught to regard the birthright as a matter of great importance, for it included not only an inheritance of worldly wealth but spiritual pre-eminence.  They knew that he who received it was to be the priest of his family, and in the line of his descendants the Redeemer of the world would come.

On the other hand, there were obligations resting upon the possessor of the birthright. He who should inherit its blessings must devote his life to the service of God. Like Abraham, he must be obedient to the divine requirements. In marriage, in his family relationships, in public life, he must consult the will of God. 

It was this latter condition that made Esau so dislike his inheritance.  Like his spiritual father (Satan, John 8:44) he wanted the power and position without the submission.  In the original controversy, Lucifer, one of the two covering cherubs (pictured in Ezekiel 28:14 and Exodus 25:18-20), envied the other apparent cherub [angel] who was the actually the Son of God, and complained to God the Father about favouritism.  When questioned Lucifer stated that he would willingly obey the Father but did not see why he had to obey the Person who looked so much like himself.  But, when told by the Father to obey the Son, he rebelled, showing his true feelings, and so we have the controversy and the two groups came into existence.

Over the years that followed the birth of the twins Rebekah remembered the words of the Son of God, and she saw with clearer insight than did her husband the character of their sons. She was convinced that the heritage of divine promise was intended for Jacob. She repeated to Isaac the words of Jesus, but her husband’s affections were centred upon the elder son, and he was unshaken in his purpose.  While she was doing this Jacob learned of the divine indication that the birthright should fall to him, and he was filled with an unspeakable desire for the privileges which it would confer. 

But it was not the possession of his father's wealth that he craved; the spiritual birthright was the object of his longing, the ability to help others.

To talk with God as did righteous Abraham, to offer the sacrifice of atonement for his family, to be the forerunner of the chosen people and of the promised Messiah, and to inherit the immortal possessions included in the blessings of the covenant - here were the privileges and honours that kindled his most ardent desires.  These desires were not wrong, but the methods used to obtain them were.  Paul wrote to some of his converts urging them to do the same.   

“But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet I show to you a more excellent way.” 1 Corinthians 12:31.  

Jacob’s mind was ever reaching forward to the future, and seeking to grasp its unseen blessings.  With secret longing he listened to all that his father told concerning the spiritual birthright and he carefully treasured what he had learned from his mother. Day and night the subject occupied his thoughts, until it became the absorbing interest of his life.

But while he esteemed eternal above earthly blessings, Jacob didn’t have an EXPERIMENTAL knowledge of the God whom he revered or he would not have done what he did. His heart had not been renewed by divine grace. He believed that the promise concerning himself could not be fulfilled so long as Esau retained the rights of the first-born, and he constantly studied to devise some way whereby he might secure the blessing which his brother held so lightly, but which was so precious to himself.  This was how he was so ready with the condition when Esau begged for food.

How many today are in the same state!  How many must suffer the same results before they can become “Israel” [a prince or leader on earth in God’s eyes, Genesis 32:28]. How many still want to “help” the Son of God fulfil His promises and are constantly searching how to do this instead of relaxing into His “rest”.  

There are three “ways” in operation in this world. 

1.     God’s way under His sole direction.

2.     God’s way by man’s system.

3.     Man’s way by man’s system.

Only the first will work permanently.  But this does not preclude our cooperating with Him and doing what we should do when He has revealed His plans to us.  For example, Abraham had to guide his son Isaac in the matter of marriage because it was his God-given duty as a parent. But that was NOT “God’s way by man’s system”.  

More next week, God willing.

Till then,

Ron

Some of the comments in these readings are adapted from books in my library.  No recognition is given because they are not intended as authorities, but are used because they express my understanding clearly. All the ideas expressed in these readings, right or wrong, are my own.

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