Today we begin Genesis Chapter 27
For the Complete Jewish Bible, click here.
For the King James Version, click here.
This chapter is a perfect reflection of how worry and doubt control the decisions of human beings even in those areas where God has already reassured and pronounced a final decision.
In this case, we are talking about the birthright and blessing as applied to Esau and Jacob.
Back in Genesis chapter 25, God had already clearly pronounced who was to be given the birthright and the blessing.
“And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in the 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.” – Genesis 25:23
According to tradition in this era, when the firstborn child in a family reached a certain age, he would be granted the following two things:
THE BIRTHRIGHT: This is the authority to rule over the clan.
and
THE BLESSING: This is a double portion of the father’s wealth.
Again, this firstborn tradition ONLY applied to males.
However, as we just read, God reversed the normal order of things.
Even though Esau was the first one to pop out out of Rebecca’s womb, God sovereignly decided that Jacob would be the one to inherit the birthright.
God communicated this very clearly to Rebecca, and I’m pretty sure that in turn, Rebecca told her husband Isaac and her children Esau and Jacob.
There is no way that she would have kept something as important as this under wraps for too long.
I’m also pretty sure Isaac was well aware what God had already decreed and in spite of that tried to do things his own way.
That’s the reason he summoned Esau to go out hunting, catch some venison, and prepare a meal exactly how he liked it, so that he could bless him.
There was obvious favoritism in this family.
Isaac loved Esau and his manly hunting ways.
While the meek and quiet Jacob was more favored by Rebecca.
One point often overlooked is that this story was NOT about the birthright.
Read Genesis 27:36.
“And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?”
So you see.
This chapter is NOT about the birthright but about the blessing, the wealth portion of the firstborn rights.
1 Chronicles 5:1-2 says the right of the firstborn is distinct from rulership. Possibly you’ve defined those terms incorrectly. I made the same mistake.
I think something to ponder is while the chapter is about the blessing, the birthright is intrinsically bound to the blessing of God. There is such a stark contrast between Esau’s flippancy regarding the birthright, and Jacob’s stubborn determination to hold onto it. I personally think the wrestling match with the Angel was a test of Jacob’s fortitude to maintain the birthright. Jacob then demands the blessing demonstrating the connection.
just a thought.
I believe that the Birthright is the ‘earthly’ part of the family, the right to lead the family and have twice the material effects of the deceased father, while the Blessing is just what it says. it is the ‘spiritual’ part of the family, the spiritual direction, orders and blessings to assist that person in his coming life. A blessing by the patriarch (father) of the family. Esau flippantly gave up his Birthright for the pottage, but was really upset that he lost the Blessing. He knew it was more important.
Just a thought
Interesting thought. Thanks for sharing.
In the context of the Messianic Revolution, how do these ancient concepts of birthright and blessing apply to modern-day believers? Are they still relevant in our lives today, and if so, how can we tap into their power and significance?”,
“refusal
Great question! More than modern-day application, this article helps us understand the context of what we’re reading. And would also apply to Yeshua since he was the first-born son.