November 27, 2023

Genesis 25:19-34 (HCSB)
The Birth of Jacob and Esau
19 These are the family records of Isaac son of Abraham. Abraham fathered Isaac. 20 Isaac was 40 years old when he took as his wife Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and sister of Laban the Aramean. 21 Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife because she was childless. The Lord heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. 22 But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 And the Lord said to her: Two nations are in your womb; two people will come from you and be separated. One people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger. 24 When her time came to give birth, there were indeed twins in her womb. 25 The first one came out red-looking, covered with hair like a fur coat, and they named him Esau. 26 After this, his brother came out grasping Esau’s heel with his hand. So he was named Jacob. Isaac was 60 years old when they were born.
Esau Sells His Birthright
27 When the boys grew up, Esau became an expert hunter, an outdoorsman, but Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for wild game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field exhausted. 30 He said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stuff, because I’m exhausted.” That is why he was also named Edom. 31 Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” 32 “Look,” said Esau, “I’m about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?” 33 Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore to Jacob and sold his birthright to him. 34 Then Jacob gave bread and lentil stew to Esau; he ate, drank, got up, and went away. So Esau despised his birthright.

Becky Jenkins
Esau was the firstborn twin, and he made a really poor choice that affected his entire life. Why? All because he was hungry! If you were born during Bible times –and even in some cultures today –and you were born first, you might have a more valuable birthright than your younger siblings. Jacob was cooking up a tasty stew and bread when Esau came in from hunting, and it must have smelled wonderful! Esau naturally wanted some of the tasty food. Jacob, who was born second, whose birthright was much smaller than his brother’s, said, “I’ll give you this food if you sell me your birthright.” Esau didn’t even hesitate. He said, “I’m so hungry I’ll die; what good is my birthright?” And he agreed to sell his birthright to his brother right then for a bowl of stew, bread, and a drink. That’s almost like giving away all your possessions for a combo meal! Would you trade your birthright for just one meal? Let’s ask God to stand beside us when we face tough choices and help us make good decisions.