Esau and Jacob

(Genesis 25:21-24) Esau and Jacob are the two sons from Isaac and Rebekah, whose stories are written in Genesis 25. From verses 27-34, we can learn that Esau despised his birthright, the right of being the firstborn.

Although Esau and Jacob were born very close together, but Esau was the firstborn and had the rights and the privileges associated. The birthright was something very valuable and precious. In fact, a nation was born and the promise to Abraham was fulfilled through this birthright. But Esau disregarded its value and despised it, selling it just for the price of one meal.

On the contrary, Jacob was willing to sacrifice his food to obtain the birthright. He was willing to go hungry for it. It is not that Jacob was tricking Esau – as we will see, he in fact cared a lot for his brother – but he knew that Esau didn’t care about it. Esau was the one who always goes outside for hunting, while Jacob is the one who stayed home and learned the precious history of faith that ran in his family. The history of the Israelites has been passed down the generations orally, and there cannot be a missing link; otherwise, the precious part of history will be lost. The firstborn of Isaac had to be the link, but Esau was not able to do this. Thus Jacob, who considered it an honor, became this link of history.

Two chapters later in Genesis 27:1-7, the time has come when Isaac is ready to bless his firstborn. In receiving the blessing, Jacob got some help from his mother Rebekah. Rebekah helped Jacob in three ways: 1) she told Jacob when it was time for the blessing, 2) she protected him, and 3) she prepared him to be suitable for the blessing. In our walk of faith, it is also important have this kind of caretakers who could help us in receiving this spiritual inheritance.

As we go on this journey of faith, we should consider blessings more important than physical materials, and be the inheritors of the birthright that is faith. If we are the ones who long for it the most, then the stewardship of faith would be given to us, as it came to Jacob. We should follow the Christian traditions, and become caretakers for the next generation of believers.