Jacob and Esau

Jacob and Esau were twin boys born to Isaac and Rebekah. The Bible tells us that Esau was born before Jacob. Jacob was born holding on to his older brother’s heel. The twins were different. Jacob was “a quiet man.” Esau was “a skillful hunter.” Esau had the special honor of being first born and as such had the birthright given to the oldest son which was to be a double portion of his father’s inheritance. One day Esau returned exhausted from hunting and wanted some stew that Jacob was cooking.

But Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.” Esau said, “Look I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?’ And Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore an oath to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and got up and went on his say. So Esau despised his birthright. Genesis 25:27-34

When their father was old and time was come to bless the oldest child, Isaac sent Esau out to hunt for game. While he was out Jacob deceived his father whose “eyes were too dim to see”. Jacob with the help of his mother put the skin of young goats on his hands and neck because his brother Esau was hairy, and he was not. Isaac blessed Jacob thinking it was Esau. When Esau returned he, “cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry.” He wanted his father to bless him also, but it was too late. “Bless me as well, my father!” And he said, “Your brother came deceitfully and has taken away your blessing (Genesis 25:35). Jacob not only took away his birthright but now he has taken away his father’s blessing.

This long story does have a point. Years pass and the twins have gone their separate ways but God has told Jacob to return home. He is afraid to face Esau knowing how things ended between them before. Jacob prays for God’s protection, wrestles with the decision but does what God says. Jacob saw Esau coming with 400 men. He got scared and put the slaves and their children in front so he could possibly escape with his favorite sons. The point is: Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept (Genesis 33:4). Jacob had found forgiveness in Esau and he says, for I see your face as one sees the face of God, and you have received me favorably (Genesis 33:10).

When we forgive, others see the face of God. Point them to Him today.

Pastor Julia Scott