JACOB SERIES: BIRTH AND BIRTHRIGHT

The story of Jacob’s birth and early years is found in Genesis 27. Jacob was the grandson of Abraham, and son of Isaac and Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram. The scripture records that, like Sarah, Abraham’s wife, Rebekah was barren; therefore, Isaac interceded to God on her behalf, and God answered his prayer, and Rebekah, after nineteen years of her marriage, became pregnant.

Experiencing uncomfortable pains during her pregnancy, Rebekah questioned God about what she was experiencing. God informed her that two nations were in her womb, one nation would be stronger than the other, and the firstborn would become the servant of the secondborn.

At the time of his birth, his firstborn son’s body was covered with red hair; therefore, they named him Esau, and the younger son was born holding on to his brother’s heel; they named him Jacob.  

The boys’ opposite natures became apparent as they grew. Esau loved the outdoors and became a skillful hunter, while Jacob quietly stayed at home and tended the herd. Consequently, each parent loved one son more than the other; Isaac loved Esau, and Rebekah loved Jacob.  

In biblical times, the birthright was given to the firstborn son and entitled him to a double portion of his father’s possessions. Jacob understood that Esau, being the firstborn, was slated to receive a double inheritance, which he wanted. Thus, when his brother returned home exhausted from hunting, he successfully maneuvered Esau into relinquishing his birthright. As the event goes, Esau asked Jacob for some of the red stew he had made, to which Jacob replied, “Sell me this day thy birthright.” Thinking more about his hunger and starvation, Esau complied and swore over his birthright to Jacob without any regret.

Additional information and nuggets on Genesis 25:21-34:

Esau, who was also called Edom, represented the nation of Edom. Jacob, whose name meant “heel,” “supplanter,” and “deceiver,” represented the nation of Israel.

Commentators believed the grasping of Esau’s heel by Jacob as they were being born meant that, in the future, Jacob would take advantage of Esau and trip him up. They also believed that, in his careless forfeiting of his inheritance, Esau displayed an indifference and ignorance of the true value of a birthright.

For some, conception is not immediate; it may take a long time.

Prayer can make major changes in your life.

Prayer causes God’s will on earth to be born.

According to what is being formed, struggles can take place.

When in doubt, pray.

There are times when God will cause the last to move into the position of the first.

When you allow your life and decisions to be governed by your fleshly desires instead of spiritual desires, you will eventually suffer for it.

You will reap what you have sown when you take advantage of someone’s weakness.

Favoring one child over another has consequences.