Esau Sells His Birthright

And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright. Genesis 25:29-34

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Jacob was interested in the birthright which would consisted of two parts – the double portion of the estate of Isaac, and the portion which would make one the spiritual leader of the family. Jacob was interested in the spiritual part first and foremost. Esau was interested in the portion of the estate, but could care less about the spiritual leadership part. Jacob knew that Esau despised the spiritual part. One day when making lentil stew Esau came in and was hungry Jacob decided to see if he could cut a deal with Esau over the spiritual part of the birthright. Esau thought that the spiritual component of the birthright was as valuable as the bowl of stew and sold it to Jacob for this amount. God says that Esau despised the birthright. But Jacob got the birthright outside of the will of God. Jacob had decided to help God when he should have rested in His care.

Prayer for Today: God, we can look back on this story with some insight, and we think we would not have “stolen” the birthright from our very own brother. Help us to see Lord that we are capable of most anything, just like Jacob. Help us to see that we have a problem and help us to see that we have a need and help us to come to You to get that need met. Help us to wait upon You to help us solve our problems. Thank You for Your patience and love for us.