Choosing One’s Own Attitude

After several years of marriage, Isaac became concerned that Rebekah had not had children, as Genesis  25:20-21 tells us.  “And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.  And Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.” 

Finally, after twenty years, she became pregnant.  It was not an easy pregnancy, and she became concerned that something was wrong, in Genesis 25:22-23.  “And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the LORD.  And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.”

God told her she was going to have twins and that they would be very different, becoming two separate nations, with the younger becoming the stronger nation.  When they were born they were very different, as Genesis 25:24-28 tells us.  “And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.  And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.  And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.  And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.   And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.” 

The boys were different both physically, and in their interests.  Esau was a rugged outdoorsman, a man’s man, who loved hunting and camping out.  Jacob was a homebody who liked fixing things around the house and working with the livestock.   The differences were accentuated by the fact their parents played favorites, with Jacob preferring Esau and Rebekah preferring Jacob.  As is to be expected, thei resulted in competition and jealousy between the boys. 

Genesis 25:29-34 describes one such incident.  “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.”

Jacob was cooking a mess of lentils, a sort of small bean.  Esau had been unsuccessful hunting and demanded that Jacob give him some of the lentils.  Jacob said he wanted Esau’s birthright in exchange.  In that day, the oldest son automatically inherited all the father’s property, except for what the father specifically designated to the other children.  In this case, that also included all the promises God had made to Abraham and Isaac. 

Like many young men after a strenuous workout, Esau felt like he was dying of starvation.  If he died, the birthright wouldn’t mean anything to him anyway, so he agreed to trade it for a serving of the lentils.  At first, Jacob thought he was kidding and insisted he make the promise official, in effect putting it in writing.  Concerned only with how he felt at the moment, Esau made it official that Jacob would receive the birthright, in effect saying the birthright and God’s promises were worth less than a bowl of beans to him.   Jacob valued them very highly and gladly gave Esau the food he wanted in exchange. 

Though both boys had the same parents, and had been raised the same way, they had chosen different values that led to making different life styles.   Those choices would impact their relationship with God, and the lives of their descendants.  Each person chooses their priorities and thus influences what happens in their lives.  Unfortunately most people choose by default, simply going along with their feeling of what matters at the moment and not considering the long term effect of their choices.  For example, they can get so focused on a short term promotion or award, that they neglect their marriage or their children.  Later they often blame others when they lose the marriage or the children, rather than recognizing it was their decision that led to the problem.  Esau provides a valuable illustration of what happens.