pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: birthright


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A Twisted Tale!

Readings: Genesis 25:19-34, Genesis 26, Genesis 27, Genesis 28:1-9

Genesis 27:27: “So he came close and kissed him. When Isaac smelled the scent of his clothes, he blessed him.”

Continuing with the rest of chapter 25 today, Jacob and Esau are about to be born. The violent fighting in the womb leads Rebekah to seek the Lord. God reveals to her two truths: the twins will be two nations and the older will serve the younger. This revelation drives the story going forward. Esau loves the outdoors, Jacob the indoors. Esau is loved by Isaac, Jacob by Rebekah. As the chapter ends, the heel-grabber takes advantage of Esau’s hunger, stealing the birthright for some stew. Esau is short-sighted. Jacob is calculating.

In chapter 26 a famine forces a move. Once in Gerar, Isaac lies about Rebekah: “She’s my sister.” Same lie, one generation later. King Abimelech discovers the rouse and prevents any curses. God blessed Isaac and the Philistines get very jealous, forcing Isaac to move away. There’s some fighting over wells but finally Isaac finds space and good water – signs of God’s blessing. Abimelech realizes this and comes and makes a treaty with Isaac.

Isaac has grown old as chapter 27 begins. As death nears, it is time to bless Esau, the oldest and his favorite. Going against cultural norms, Isaac invites only Esau to the blessing. But Rebekah overhears and schemes to steal the blessing for Jacob. Or is she just trying to make sure God’s revelation comes true…? The planning and execution are thorough – food, animal skins, clothing. It all works only after Isaac smells “Esau.” In verse 27 we read, “So he came close and kissed him. When Isaac smelled the scent of his clothes, he blessed him.” Afterwards, both Esau and Isaac are furious. Esau plots to murder Jacob. In response, Rebekah tricks Isaac into sending Jacob away to find a wife from their kin. In spite, Esau married yet another Canaanite woman, this time it is Ishmael’s daughter.

What a twisted tale we weave! Lies, deception, theft, anger, revenge. Or… is it all just God’s plan working itself out?… Before we dismiss these evil actions, let us realize that we too can go down these roads (or make similar evil choices.) As was the case long ago, in the midst of poor choices and evil actions God can and will work to accomplish God’s plans. For this unending grace and love that we too experience, we say thanks be to God!

Prayer: Lord God, as it was with our ancestors, so it is with us. These evil traits displayed long ago are certainly alive and well in our world and even in our lives. Lord, first help us to see this in ourselves. Then bend us towards the good. Give us the patience to trust into your plans. Grant us the courage to be grace and love when others are unkind to or are deceitful with us. Lead us in the way that we should go. Amen.


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The Clear Leading of God

Reading: Genesis 25:29-34

Verse 30: “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!”

As we continue the story of Esau and Jacob, Esau comes home from an apparently very long hunting trip. While he was away, Jacob has been busy too, working on this wonderful red lentil stew. At a place close to desperation Esau says, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” Maybe Jacob has been waiting for this chance, perhaps scheming for it ever since coming out of the womb. At this moment Jacob asks the famished Esau to trade his birthright for some stew. A desperate Esau agrees and satisfies his deep hunger.

We often read this passage and think that Jacob tricks his older brother or that he is deceitful in his scheming. But what if God was the one at work? What if the Spirit prompted Jacob to ask and Esau to answer as they did? What if this is another example of God’s penchant for raising the lowly over the powerful?

A birthright is a generations old tradition and practice that often insured the continuation of a family line by giving the oldest – the one who was usually the most experienced and most mature – the control of the family property, heritage, and legacy. It had operated this way for centuries and it has continued to operate through this day. Yet in this instance God has alternative plans. God’s ways are not always our ways. God’s plans are usually far greater than we could have ever imagined or taken them. So, in those moments, may we too lean into the clear leading of God, even when it is outside of what we think the norm.

Prayer: Lord God, open my heart to where and how you want to lead. Humble me so that I can easily get out of the way of whatever you are up to. Grant me the courage to step in to play a role as the Spirit leads. Amen.


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God Speaks

Reading: Genesis 28: 10-19a

Verse 17: “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God”.

As today’s passage opens we find Jacob leaving home, headed for Haran, the home of his mother’s family. Jacob is fleeing in fear because he stole the birthright from his twin brother Esau. By returning to the ancestral lands, he will first be safe and, second, Isaac and Rebekah hope he will find a wife from among the relatives. They hope that God will provide a good wife, just as he had done for Isaac.

At the end of his first day’s journey, Jacob finds a stone for a pillow and lays down for the night. In his sleep, God brings Jacob a vision and a message. The vision is a stairway or ladder from heaven to earth. The angels are coming and going. God stands at the top. From there he gives Jacob a message. God first reiterates the promise made to Abraham and Isaac. This land will be covered by many of your descendents and they will be a blessing to the earth. God then gets personal, saying to Jacob, “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go”. With confidence and with assurance of God’s presence in his life and in his future, Jacob will travel on. But first he responds by saying, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God”. In the morning Jacob builds a small pillar to remember and commemorate this place.

In the middle of nowhere, in a very ordinary place, God became present to Jacob. It is not with big fanfare; God is just suddenly and simply there. It could have been on day two or six of the journey. But it was at the beginning because that is when Jacob needed it most. God also appears along our journey. Sometimes it is in a way that is similar to Jacob’s experience. Through a thought or insight or maybe through the words of scripture or of a friend, God speaks into our lives. Often it is an after-the-fact realization. Looking back or reflecting on an experience, we can see God’s fingerprints. It is because we have the same promise as Jacob’s. Jesus said and says to all of his disciples, “I will never leave you or forsake you”. He will be with us forever. So we too can journey on today, knowing that Jesus goes with us. Thanks be to God. May it be so.

Prayer: Leading God, it is so awesome that you came to Jacob at just the right time. I am grateful that you do the same for me. Sometimes it isn’t in my time but in yours – which is always best. Continue to walk with me day by day. Amen.


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A Birthright

Reading: Genesis 25: 19-34

Verse 31: “Jacob replied, ‘First sell me your birthright'”.

Today’s passage centers around twins – Esau and Jacob. At birth only seconds separate the moment they come out of the womb. Esau emerges first, with Jacob immediately following him, grasping his brother’s heel. The image of brothers wrestling as they enter the world is an extension of what they did in the womb and is a foreshadowing of their future relationship. Esau grows up to become a man of nature, of the outdoors, a hunter, a doer. Jacob grows up as a home body, a man of the inside, a cook, a thinker. Because they are so different they never really know or understand one another.

Because Esau entered the world first, he gains the birthright. He will be entitled to a larger share of Abraham’s land, animals, servants, slaves, and all other forms of wealth. He gains the power to one day be the primary decision maker. But Esau is a man unto himself. He hunts and spends most of his time alone. As he comes in famished after a long hunt, he desires food. Now. Jacob has food to offer his older brother, but at a price. He says to Esau, “First sell me your birthright'”. Esau quickly complies. The doer just wants to eat. He does so and leaves quickly. Jacob the thinker, the schemer, has probably thought this scenario through a thousand different ways. He is eager to take advantage of Esau.

This story of birthrights may feel a bit foreign in our modern era. Being the firstborn can carry some advantages, but they are nothing like they were in the ancient world. By Jesus’ day, for example, we know that the eldest son would receive a double portion. That would now be 2/3 for Jacob and 1/3 for Esau. Gaining the birthright was a huge advantage in life.

As people of faith we see our most important birthright as “child of God”. Through faith in Jesus Christ we are brought into the family as brothers and sisters, as coheirs with Christ. The reward of this birthright far outweighs any earthly birthright we may receive. But this birthright also carries a weight. As fellow brothers and sisters in and with Christ, we see all people as equal inheritors of God’s love. As such, our role is to be equal sharers of that love. Christ came for one and for all. He died for one and for all. May we see and treat one another – all one anothers – as equals, as dearly beloved children of God.

Prayer: Lord God, as I reflect and write this morning my mind returns to a song from Sunday. We sung that we are “no longer slaves” but are “a child of God”. As I celebrate that today, may I share it with others as well. Amen.