FAMILY BIBLE SERIES: God can
overcome human rivalry and deceit
___
Genesis 25:19-34; 27:1-40
___By Susan Pigott
___Logsdon School of Theology, Abilene
___"Mooommmmyyyy!! He cheated!"
___"Did not."
___"Did too!"
___"Did not!"
___"Liar, liar, pants on fire!"
___(From a distance) "Stop it you two or you'll both be grounded!"
___(Chorus) "No fair!"
___Sound familiar? Sibling rivalry. Every family with siblings has it, so it's probably to be expected as "normal" and "healthy." But it's never enjoyable and sometimes creates resentments that last even into adulthood. And it is an age-old problem. The story of Esau and Jacob illustrates how a family can be torn apart by rivalry and deceit. But it also is a story of God's mysterious choice of one person over another in the birth of a nation.
___ Taking advantage (Genesis 25:29-34). As the oldest male, Esau had the privilege of birthright. This meant he would receive a double portion of the inheritance and become the next patriarch of the family. However, famished after a long day of hunting, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of red stew. Although he blamed Jacob for his loss, the Scripture clearly lays the blame on Esau: "Esau despised his birthright" (Genesis 25:34). In other words, his birthright was less important to him than satisfying his stomach. Jacob did not deceive him (though perhaps he took advantage of the situation), but Esau resented him nevertheless.
___ Practicing fraud (Genesis 27:30-33). When a patriarch was near death, he blessed his sons. The firstborn received a special blessing which reflected his favorable status over the younger brothers. When Isaac was ready to bestow his blessing on Esau, Rebekah convinced Jacob to deceive Isaac in order to receive it. Significantly, God had told Rebekah that the elder brother would serve the younger (Genesis 25:23). Perhaps like Sarah, she decided to "aid" God in the fulfillment.
___ Sowing bitterness (Genesis 27:34-37). As a result, Esau was bitterly angry, pleading with his father to bless him as well. But Isaac could only offer a blessing that sounded more like a curse. Esau's bitterness festered and developed into murderous hatred (Genesis 27:41). Jacob and Rebekah accomplished what they desired, but at great cost. Rebekah sent Jacob away to protect him from Esau (Genesis 27:44-45). She assumed that Esau's anger would subside quickly and she would see Jacob again soon. But Jacob did not return for 20 years, and it is unclear whether or not Rebekah ever saw her beloved son again.
___The story of Esau and Jacob certainly illustrates how destructive sibling rivalry can be. Esau lost everything intended for him, and Jacob usurped his brother's birthright and blessing but was forced into exile because of it. In the process, Isaac and Rebekah lost both sons. But the story also contains a note of hope: God can work toward a greater purpose even through ill-conceived human machinations. Jacob, the deceiver, would become Israel, the father of the 12 tribes, and Esau, the deceived, would become the father of the Edomites.
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