Jacob And Esau-The Birthright

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Jacob and Esau-The Birthright

Does Rebekah do the right thing in sending Jacob to receive the blessing meant for Esau? I believe she does! Having read the account many times, I’ve formed the opinion that the birthright was meant to be for Jacob. I will support this opinion by scriptural account.

During her pregnancy, Rebekah enquired of the Lord, why her children struggled within her. “ And the Lord said to 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.”(Gen 25:23)
Rebekah had conceived twins. The first-born was red and covered in hair. They named him Esau. The other came out and took hold of Esau’s heel. They named him Jacob. In contrast to Esau, who is described as a cunning hunter, Jacob is said to be a plain man, dwelling in tents. I don’t believe that this was a bad thing.
In Gen 25:29-34 we read;
28 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
30 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.
31 And Jacob said, sell me this day thy birthright.
32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die; and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he swore unto him; and he sold his birthright to Jacob.
34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
This rationalization seems to reflect more scorn then hunger. Surely, if Esau’s life had been in jeopardy, Jacob would have freely fed his brother. The point of this account seems to be how little value Esau place on his birthright and the rights of the covenant. This is further proven by his marriages to Canaanite women, (Gen 26:34-35), which broke the covenan...