“The babies jostled each other within Rebekah’s womb, and she said, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ So she went to inquire of the Lord. The Lord said to her, ‘Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.’ ” – Genesis 25:23-24 (NIV)
Birthright is the right which naturally belonged to the firstborn son (in this case Esau). The birthright of the firstborn entitled him to a double portion of what his father had to leave. This probably means that he had a double share of such property as could be divided. The firstborn furthermore became head of the family and thus succeeded to the charge of the family property, becoming responsible for the maintenance of the younger sons, the widow or widows, and the unmarried daughters. He also, as head, succeeded to a considerable amount of authority over the other members. Further, he generally received the blessing, which placed him in close and favored covenant-relationship with Yahweh. (Source: Biblestudytools.com)
Birthright is the right which naturally belonged to the firstborn son (in this case Esau). The birthright of the firstborn entitled him to a double portion of what his father had to leave. This probably means that he had a double share of such property as could be divided. The firstborn furthermore became head of the family and thus succeeded to the charge of the family property, becoming responsible for the maintenance of the younger sons, the widow or widows, and the unmarried daughters. He also, as head, succeeded to a considerable amount of authority over the other members. Further, he generally received the blessing, which placed him in close and favored covenant-relationship with Yahweh. (Source: Biblestudytools.com)
In modern times, Esau would probably have been the captain of the first rugby team, the guy who goes to the gym every day, the one who knows how to change a spark plug and fix a tyre, the guy with the square chin and good looks, sun tanned, the best hunter and mountain climber, the popular hunk. And Jacob would have been the introvert, the captain of the chess team, the mamma’s boy, the guy without a date to the matric farewell, the one who writes poetry but don’t have anyone to give it to, the kid with all the allergies, the guy with ten thumbs, the one who goes by unnoticed!
Have you ever thought about God’s decision to make Jacob the stronger one, and Esau to serve his younger brother? In old Israel I recon it was of vital importance to be able to hunt and know something about agriculture, to have been able to make a living for yourself, and it was a definite advantage to be a man of physical strength. Esau ticked all the boxes. Compared to Jacob who preferred to stay at home and cook and clean with his mother. God’s decision may sound unjust if you compare Jacob and Esau in worldly terms, but it is not. God didn’t love the one more than the other, and He didn’t plan destruction for the one and advancement for the other. Although there are many lessons to be learnt from the story of Jacob and Esau, the point I wish to convey today, is that what may seem like not important, weak or even second best to the world, means significant, strong and top performance to God! Although Jacob was not the obvious choice according to tradition, God chose him as the successor of the covenant made with Abraham. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
So no matter what your position is today, and no matter if you feel like everything is working against you, or if you believe that you are too weak or not influential enough, trust the plans that God has for you. He will build you up and prepare you for take-off, and at the right time send you into the world to glorify His Name. “For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
God’s power is displayed through those the world will usually overlook, so that He will get the glory, and not the world!
Blessings,
Yolandi
Have you ever thought about God’s decision to make Jacob the stronger one, and Esau to serve his younger brother? In old Israel I recon it was of vital importance to be able to hunt and know something about agriculture, to have been able to make a living for yourself, and it was a definite advantage to be a man of physical strength. Esau ticked all the boxes. Compared to Jacob who preferred to stay at home and cook and clean with his mother. God’s decision may sound unjust if you compare Jacob and Esau in worldly terms, but it is not. God didn’t love the one more than the other, and He didn’t plan destruction for the one and advancement for the other. Although there are many lessons to be learnt from the story of Jacob and Esau, the point I wish to convey today, is that what may seem like not important, weak or even second best to the world, means significant, strong and top performance to God! Although Jacob was not the obvious choice according to tradition, God chose him as the successor of the covenant made with Abraham. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
So no matter what your position is today, and no matter if you feel like everything is working against you, or if you believe that you are too weak or not influential enough, trust the plans that God has for you. He will build you up and prepare you for take-off, and at the right time send you into the world to glorify His Name. “For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
God’s power is displayed through those the world will usually overlook, so that He will get the glory, and not the world!
Blessings,
Yolandi