The Birthright: Genesis 27
Last week we focused on Esau and Jacob, twin brothers, and how each valued the birthright of the firstborn male. Esau was born first with Jacob hanging on to his heel when he was born. As an adult, Jacob was willing to take advantage of his brother’s weaknesses for his own benefit and Esau put more value on satisfying his fleshly appetite over his birthright. By his actions and in the spur-of-the-moment decision, Esau despised his birthright when he sold it to his brother for a meal of lentil stew. In the Jewish culture, the birthright determined who would become the family leader and receive a double portion of the family inheritance.
Isaac, the father of Esau and Jacob was getting old, and could not see very well, and he wanted to pass on the blessing of the oldest son before his death. He asked Esau to go hunting for game and then make him his favorite dish so he could enjoy it and then bless him as the oldest son. Rebekah, Esau’s mother heard Isaac speak to Esau and had a better idea. Isaac loved Esau more than Jacob and Rebekah loved Jacob more than Esau. She told Jacob that she would prepare a delicious meal for Isaac her husband and that he should pretend to be Esau and go and get the blessing instead of Esau.
Rebekah prepared a great meal from goat’s meat for her husband and Jacob took it in for him to eat. Now, Esau was a hairy man, and Jacob had smooth skin. Jacob was worried that he might get caught and be cursed instead. Rebekah had more tricks up her sleeve. She had Jacob take animal skin and put it on his hands and on his neck, she clothed him with Esau’s clothes, so he would smell like him and sent him in. Isaac was a little suspicious because he said how did you get this game animal so quickly. Jacob lied and said that God had blessed him and he was able to get the animal very quickly. Jacob said you sound like Jacob and he started to feel his arms and said, but you feel like my son Esau. Since he couldn’t see properly, he asked Jacob if he really was Esau and Jacob lied and said yes.
Isaac blessed Jacob with the birthright blessing of the oldest son. He pronounced blessings and prosperity over him and gave him the blessing of ruling over their family. He blessed Jacob with the blessings of Abraham which would be passed down from generation to generation. Jacob deceived his father and pleased his mother. As soon as Jacob left his father, Esau came in with his savory meal prepared for his father. When he found out that Jacob had already been there and received his blessing, he started sobbing and asked his father if he had a blessing left for him. Isaac was very upset for he knew that he had been deceived but he could not take back the blessing. He did give Esau a blessing, but it was not the birthright blessing. From that day on Esau hated Jacob and wanted to kill him because he had taken advantage of him with the birthright sale for stew and now the firstborn blessing was stolen from him.
Rebekah heard that Esau had murder in his heart towards Jacob so she instructed Jacob to leave and go to her brother’s place for safety and find a wife there. She would let him know when it would be safe for him to return. Little did she know that she would never see her favorite son Jacob again. He was gone for many years and Rebekah died before his return.
Isaac and Rebekah played favorites with their sons and it only caused more trouble and heartache. Although it was prophesied that Jacob would become the leader of the family, Rebekah’s plans for her son’s blessings would later cause him heartache and he would be greatly deceived by Laban, Rebekah’s brother.
In this family we see parents picking favorites and a mom using lies and deceit to get her favorite son the birthright blessing. You may have experienced favoritism with your own family and feel bitter towards your siblings. Perhaps one is very talented and gets all the parental praise and you don’t. Thank the Lord, the family of God is totally different. When you become a child of God you are God's Favorite when you realize how much You are truly loved by Him. Every blessing in God’s Word is available to you when you believe that He loves you. You don’t have to earn it because it is a free gift from God. Claim your promises today and focus on His love for you. (John 3:16; Romans 8:38-39; Ephesians 2:4-5)
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Personal Development Tip of the week:
This week I have been hosting live streams on Instagram talking about the power of your words. Do you believe there is power in the words you speak out loud each day?
In the book of Proverbs 18:21, it says, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” You have a choice each day to speak victory or defeat over your life and whatever you speak over your life becomes your life.
Have you ever noticed when you start to speak negatively about your life it changes the way you feel? This is why it’s so important to watch what you say every day because you bring life to whatever you consistently speak.
I don’t know about you but I want to make sure each day I’m speaking God’s promises over my life because the more you can speak the word of God over your life each day the more you will see God’s power activate in your life.
Question for you? What do you need to work on when it comes to the words you speak about your life and others?
Prayer for the week
Lord, thank You for giving me hope that I can live each day in victory. Although negative circumstances may discourage me, I lean on You for strength and guidance. I want my life to reflect Your goodness and grace so that others may come to know You as I do, in Jesus name, Amen.
PS. If you would like to support us consider checking out www.litwithprayer.com and picking up our devotional prayer journal to our new pieces of Christian-based Jewelry.
Do you know Jesus?
If you have never asked Jesus to be the leader of your life and forgive you of all your sins, this is the right time to act. Pray this simple prayer and believe it in your heart: “Dear God, Your Word says that You loved me so much that You sent Your Son Jesus to die on the cross for me. I want to be saved and have all my sins forgiven, past, present, and future. Forgive me now as I receive Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. You promised me salvation and an abundant life. I believe and receive Your free gift. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me grow stronger in You each day, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.” (John 3:16)
The Birthright: