Weird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis- Day Nineteen

Weird is the New Normal:  A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis

Weird – “of strange or extraordinary character.”
Normal – “conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern”
-Merriam Webster

Day Nineteen – “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said, “What good is the birthright to me?” – Esau (Gen. 25: 32)

We left off yesterday with Rebekah in labor, with her twins already fighting in her womb…Rebekah saying to God, “Why is this happening to me?” (They didn’t have Lamaze classes back then).  But seriously…she wanted to know, and God told her. “Two nations are in your womb…they will be separated…one people will be stronger…the older will serve the younger.” (Gen. 25: 23)

Then it came time for her to give birth, and the first son to come out was…red…and “his whole body was like a hairy garment.” Really.  I’m not trying to be mean.  That’s what the Bible tells us in Gen. 25: 25. He was given the name “Esau” (which means, “hairy”), and he would also be called “Edom.” (which means, “red”).  The second son to be born came out “grasping Esau’s heel, so he was named “Jacob.” (Gen. 25: 26) “Jacob” literally means, “he grasps the heel,” and also figuratively means, “he deceives.”

Esau grew up and was a skillful hunter – the outdoorsy type.  He was Isaac’s favorite, since Isaac loved to eat the wild game that Esau would bring home.  Jacob was a mama’s boy, and quietly stayed around the tents, helping Rebekah cook.  So, Jacob was Rebekah’s favorite. One day, Jacob was cooking some Brunswick stew. (I’m throwing the Brunswick in there because I love it.) It must have smelled really good, because when Esau came home from hunting, he went to Jacob and said, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” And Jacob, seeing an opportunity, said, “First sell me your birthright.”  (Gen. 25: 30-31)

Which brings us to our question for today… “I’m dying, here! What good is the birthright to me?” (Esau was a bit of a drama queen). But seriously, what good WAS the birthright?  Well, it was a big deal!  The “birthright” went to the firstborn son, and it meant that he inherited the leadership position of the family at his father’s passing, as well as the authority of his father.  In addition to that, Deuteronomy 21: 17 says that the firstborn also is entitled to a double portion of the father’s inheritance.  But that seemed like a long way off to Esau.  His stomach was growling NOW, and that Brunswick stew was smelling GOOD!  

Let’s talk about Esau. We will talk about Jacob more tomorrow.  “Esau despised his birthright.” (Gen. 25: 34).  I always wondered what it meant that he “despised” his birthright.  Why would he “hate” it?  One commentator helped me on this, saying that the Hebrew word used here for “despise” is “bazah,” which could be translated, “regarded lightly.”  He just didn’t care very much.  It wasn’t as important as his immediate hunger.

Reflection:  Have you ever made a decision that seemed fine at that moment but came back to haunt you later?

Action:  Read Ephesians chapter 1, and consider your spiritual inheritance!

Pastor Sam