Genesis 25 Careless
Esau was careless with something precious; his birthright. Jacob knew its value and wanted it for his own. Esau sold it for a bowl of stew.
Some might see this story and think of how conniving Jacob was, and I’m not saying he wasn’t. But Esau’s utter disregard for something so precious cost him more than he knew at the time. He will live to regret this decision.
Let’s join the brothers as they continue their journey to manhood.
♥ ♦ ♥
Jacob and Esau are always ‘at war’ about something. When they were young, it was space, toys, or attention. What one had, the other wanted. The battles of most siblings, these twins raised to an art form.
Early on, they brought their parents into their rivalry. Esau had his Abba’s heart where Jacob had his Ima’s. The division made things a bit calmer, but there was still an undertone at the least of rivalry between them.
As time passed, one of the things that they struggled over was position. Esau entered into this world before Jacob did. That slight difference in age was important, and Esau never let Jacob forget it. From things like calling Jacob “little brother” to always having first pick of whatever was offered. These gnawed at Jacob. Esau took them with ease and expectation. He loved that they got under Jacob’s skin but it was just how things were for him. He didn’t see the true value of what he had.
The boys grew up and grew apart. They loved each other as family, but they didn’t like being around one another. They stayed in their own path most of the time. When they were together there was always an undertone of struggle.
Jacob was always on the lookout for ways to improve his position. There was no way of going back and redoing the birth order, so he had to be inventive and alert. Esau was quick to act without truly thinking things through. Jacob was a planner. He chased down every path in a decision before making it. Jacob was getting very good at offering Esau ‘opportunities’ in a way that actually benefited him. And Esau fell for them; hook, line and stinker. And stinkers they usually turned out to be.
Jacob could also ‘sell’ Esau on anything! Not that Esau was gullible, but that Jacob knew how to present things in a way that they looked good on the surface, while hiding the difficult parts underneath. One of those ‘sales jobs’ happened when the two of them got their first tent. Their parents allowed them to leave the family tent, only so long as they did it together. They were both eager to ‘grow up’ so they agreed to the stipulation.
Esau and Jacob made this tent together. Esau was in a hurry to get it done, while Jacob was more meticulous about how it was constructed. Esau pushed Jacob in the task.
“This is taking forever” moaned Esau.
Jacob pushed back. “The stitching has to be right.”
“Who cares about the stitching” demanded Esau.
“I do.”
“I want to be moved in by tomorrow night, so step on that stitching.”
“I’ve finished my half. I can help you with finishing your stitching, but you have to promise that you will sleep on that side of the tent.”
“Fine. I promise. Let’s just get this done!”
Jacob rushes through the stitching, just as Esau demanded and they are ready to erect their tent first thing in the morning.
The tent goes together beautifully! Esau couldn’t be prouder. Jacob sees the flaws but remains quiet. Together they move their pallets into their own tent. Jacob places his first, as he knows which side is his instantly, and he carefully arranges his belongings. Esau throws his pallet through the door and drops his belongings in a heap on the ground. Jacob shakes his head, but says nothing more.
When nighttime arrives, Jacob goes to his place and lies down. Esau has to struggle to get his pallet in place and ready for sleep. His belongings are kicked out of the way and left where they fall. Jacob shakes his head as he watches his brother. “He will learn” thinks Jacob.
In the morning, dew has seeped through the stitching on Esau’s side. Everything is damp. Everything of Esau’s that is. Jacob’s side is dry. His stitching has held the water out. Esau grumbles as he puts his damp robe on but he figures it will dry soon enough.
After weeks of dew seeping through the stitching on Esau’s side, his bedding begins to stink of mildew. Jacob stays quiet. He is waiting for his brother to ‘learn this lesson’ on his own. Esau continues to put on damp clothing each morning too. He has become accustomed to drying out during the daytime.
The rain finally comes and Esau is in for a BIG surprise. His side of the tent leaks like a sieve. Rain falling on his face wakes him in the night. Puddles of water are everywhere; on his side. Jacob is warm and dry. Esau finds the driest place he can to endure the rest of the night.
“What gives? How did you stay so dry when I was washed away like Noah in the flood?” asks a frustrated Esau.
“I told you that stitching mattered. You wanted it done quickly so you spaced your stitches farther apart” replied Jacob. In his heart he was doing the dance of “I told you so”, but on the outside, he displayed sympathy for his brother. “Let me help you clean up the mess.”
“Leave me alone! You KNEW this would happen and said nothing. You could have just explained it to me.”
“If I did, would you have listened?” asks Jacob.
Esau huffed and stormed out of the tent. Jacob covers his mouth to hold in the laughter so Esau won’t hear it.
Months later, when the ‘lesson’ had faded from Esau’s mind, another opportunity presents itself to Jacob. Jacob is cooking a tasty stew. It is one of his best dishes and everyone’s mouth waters as the aroma fills the camp.
Esau comes into camp, his nose leading the way. He is hot, tired, and hungry from a hunt. He was successful, as always, but waiting for it to be dressed and cooked is more than he can bear after smelling Jacob’s stew.
“Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (verse 30)
Jacob hears the weight of exhaustion in Esau’s voice and he sees an opportunity to get something he has wanted for a LONG time; to be first. “Sell me your birthright now” (verse 31).
Esau throws up his hands and says; “I am about to die; for what use is a birthright to me?” (verse 32).
Jacob knows that Esau’s words are an exaggeration and if Jacob simply gives in, he will gain nothing. He needs to make SURE this bargain sticks. “Swear to me now” (verse 33a).
Exasperated, Esau swears an oath to Jacob. “My birthright is yours forever, for the price of the stew. This I swear.”
Pleased with his trade, Jacob dished Esau a large portion of stew. He also refilled Esau’s bowl until he was satisfied.
When Esau finished eating, he patted his stomach, picked up his kill, and went about his business. He didn’t think of the promise again; that day.
A few weeks later, Isaac brought fabrics home from town for Rebekah to make new robes for their nearly grown men. Rebekah called the boys to ask which pattern Esau would choose. As the eldest, he had first choice in everything between them. Both sons arrived together.
“Which do you prefer” Rebekah asks Esau.
Before Esau has a chance to answer, Jacob speaks up. The birthright is mine now, so I will choose.”
Rebekah looks at both her sons. “How can this be?”
“Esau sold me his birthright for a bowl of stew” Jacob says proudly.
“Is this so” Rebekah asks.
“He tricked me!” growled Esau.
“Did you not swear to me that it was mind forever?” Jacob prods.
Esau’s face turns as red as his hair. “I DID!” he barks out at Jacob.
“Then the choice is yours Jacob” prompts Rebekah.
“I don’t want a new robe anyway” shouts Esau as he turns and storms away.
Jacob and Rebekah watch as Esau grabs his bow and heads out to hunt. That is where he finds his peace.
“You are shrewd oh my son” Rebekah tells Jacob. “The Lord told me that the younger would rule over the older. This may well be the first step in that promise coming to pass” shares Rebekah with Jacob.
“I remember the story well Ima.”
Joseph is pleased with himself, but he tamps it down so as not to drive the wedge deeper between him and Esau. They are, after all, brothers. And there will be more times he needs to ‘use his head’ to get what he wants.
♥ ♦ ♥
I’m still amazed at how God works things out so that they line up with exactly what He has planned. God KNOWS EVERYTHING long before it happens. His plan involved using Jacob instead of Esau. He KNEW which would be born first; even when he spoke his promise to Rebekah.
God didn’t MAKE Jacob trick Esau out of his birthright. It happened because of each boy’s personality. God uses us, warts and all, to accomplish His plan. And sometimes those ‘warts’ are a necessary part of it all. Not because He made it happen but because He already knew it would.
Father God, THANK YOU that I can KNOW with absolute certainty that I can’t wreck Your plan. You have already taken into account any sidesteps I will make. You let me make them anyway because You have given me free will. You KNOW everything I will ever do, and You STILL love me! What an AMAZING gift!!!
