SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 25
BIBLE VERSES:
“ Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. But while he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.” (Genesis 25:5-6)
“But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.” (Genesis 25:33-34)
THE DEATH OF ABRAHAM (vs. 1-11)
Abraham took another wife name Keturah. She bore him Zimram, Joshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah. Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac, but he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away to the land of the East. Abraham lived 175 years of good old age. He was buried with his wife Sarah in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, the field he bought from Ephron, son of Zohar, the Hittite.
ISHMAEL’S SONS (vs. 12-18)
The son of Ishmael: Nebaloth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadaad, Tema, Jetur, naphish and Kedemah. Ishmael lived 137 years. His descendants settled in the area from Havilah to Shur near the border of Egypt. They lived in hostility towards all their brothers.
JACOB AND ESAU (vs. 19-34)
Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah. Rebekah was barren so Isaac prayed to the Lord and his wife became pregnant with twins in her womb. The first was red with hairy body called Esau. The second came out with his hand grasping Esau’s heel named Jacob. Isaac was 60 years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.
Esau became a skillful hunter while Jacob stayed among the tents. Isaac loved Esau while Rebekah loved Jacob. One day, Jacob was cooking some stew when Esau came in from the open country. He was hungry, so he asked for some red stew. But Jacob told him to swore an oath to sell his birthright to him which he did. Esau despised his birth right by exchanging it with some lentil stew.
THOUGHTS:
For the first 20 years of their marriage, Isaac and Rebekah did not have any heir. Isaac and Rebekah took their burdens to the Lord and reminded him of His promise. God was pleased and gave them 2 sons representing 2 nations. If we have important request, ask from the Lord. God may withhold his answer to deepen our faith, to broaden our appreciation for his answer and allow us to mature so we can use his gifts more wisely.
The first boy was named “Esau” (hairy) because his body was hairy. The second boy was name “Jacob” meaning the “heel-gripper” (Schemer, deceiver) as he laid hold of Esau’s heel to catch and trip him.
Esau despised his birthright as first born by selling it to Jacob to fee his body. Jacob”s scheme to get the birthright was doubting God’s is going to fulfill his promise. Faith is believing without scheming.
A birthright was a special honor given to the first born. It included a double portion of the family inheritance and leadership position. Selling birthrights means losing both natural goods and leadership. Esau despised his birthright by selling it to Jacob to feed his body. He committed the biggest mistake by gaining short term satisfaction and losing the long term benefits. Sometimes we also experience similar pressures. In our urge to get what we want for that moment, we distorted the perspective and made the wrong decision with consequence of suffering and regrets.