Jacob: Manipulating A Birthright Series

Jacob: Manipulating a birthright

Genesis 25:19-34

I think many of us will be able to relate to Jacob. He had faults and failings that are very common weaknesses we have. It’s not that we do not relate to the weakness of his father Isaac and his grandfather Abraham, but Jacobs selfish and deceptive ways are more pronounced.

Jacob’s parents, Isaac and Rebekah waited 20 years for a son. His father Isaac is the child of promise. But now this baton of promise will be passed on to Jacob. God has made tremendous promises to the spiritual heir of Abraham and Isaac.

This great promise to Abraham and Isaac will be passed on by birthright to the firstborn son of Isaac. But guess what. That is not Jacob. Once a birthright is set it cannot be changed. Or so we thought until we meet this deceiver named Jacob. His name even means deceiver.

Jacob plays a major role in the Bible. Half the book of Genesis, 25 of the 50 chapters focus on Jacob. His name is later changed by the Lord to Israel. His 12 sons are known as the 12 tribes of Israel.

Normally the birthright goes to the firstborn son. That would be Jacob’s brother Esau. Now we will look at how Jacob manipulated the birthright for the blessing. By custom Esau was to inherit the blessings of Abraham and Isaac. This fellow Jacob stole Esau’s birthright and blessing.

The birth of the twins. (Genesis 25:19-28) By custom the birthright and blessing belonged to Esau, but by God’s decree it belonged to Jacob. Isaac and Rebekah waited 20 years for a son. Isaac prayed and the Lord answered Isaac’s prayer.

Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. 22 The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the LORD. (Genesis 25:21)

Rebekah became pregnant with twins. The babies “jostled” within her. Which one would come out first and be the possessor of the greatest birthright ever?

Rebekah asked why this was happening within her. The Lord answered her.

The LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated;

one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” (Genesis 25:23)

God told Rebekah his plan was different than the customary older son receiving the birthright. It would be the younger son who would be heir to the blessing. He would receive the promise of blessing promised to his father Isaac and his grandfather Abraham.

The older the first born is Esau. He is red and hairy. Esau found favor with his father. He was what we could call a man’s man. He was the rugged outdoor hunter.

Jacob came out of the womb with his hand grasping the heal of his twin brother. His name, Jacob means one who grasps the heal. Figuratively has name means deceiver. Jacob was the quiet one who found favor with his mother Rebekah.

This proclamation of God is going to turn everything upside down. “The older will serve the younger.” Ultimately Jacob would have his name changed to Israel by God. His new name Israel means, he struggles with God.

The Birthright (Genesis 25:29-34) We have the account of Esau selling his birthright for a mess of pottage, some stew. It has become proverbial for anyone who trades something spiritual for something tangible. They gain something, but they lose something much more important.

Esau comes in from his hunting trip famished. When he does, he finds his brother Jacob making some stew. Esau tells Jacob, quick give me some of that stew!

Here is the Wikipedia description of Mess of pottage: “A mess of pottage is something immediately attractive but of little value taken foolishly and carelessly in exchange for something more distant and perhaps less tangible but immensely more valuable. The phrase alludes to Esau's sale of his birthright for a meal ("mess") of lentil stew ("pottage") in Genesis 25:29–34 and connotes shortsightedness and misplaced priorities.”

Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. 30 He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.) 31 Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” 32 “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” 33 But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. (Genesis 25:29-34)