Read Gen. 25:22-34
Apparently Rebekah had a very active tummy while she was pregnant so she asked God about it. He told her that there were two nations in her belly and they were fighting even inside her. When she delivered them, they would be totally different and the younger would be the leader. When the time came, they were twins. The first born came out red and hairy all over (I’d love to see that!) and they named him Esau which means “shaggy, handling rough”. He was all boy. The next baby came out holding on to Esau’s heel. He was already trying to be first. They named him Jacob which means “he will take by the heel”. Esau grew up to become a very good hunter who spent most of his time in the field. Jacob grew up to be a gentle man who stayed around the tents and took care of the women and the everyday events. From this I take it that Esau was a person who liked to be alone and Jacob was a people person. Isaac loved Esau because he loved to eat the food he killed, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
One day Jacob was boiling soup on an open fire and Esau came in very hungry from a long hunt. When he smelled the soup he begged Jacob for some. Jacob decided to take advantage of the prophecy that he had been given as a baby and told Esau he would give him some soup in exchange for his birthright. Esau couldn’t see the blessing in having a birthright if he was dead, so he promised it to Jacob. Jacob made him swear first, then he gave him some soup and bread. Esau was not willing to die for his birthright that would have gone to his next generation so God hated Esau for it. (Ro. 9:13)
Lord, help us not to choose the immediate and sell the future.
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