(Genesis 25:22,23) This definitely shows that it was
God's purpose that Jacob, who was born last, should be the heir and
successor to the Abrahamic promise.
[108]These two sons grew to manhood's estate. Esau became a great
hunter and loved the outdoor sports; while Jacob was a plain man,
remaining quietly at home. Esau showed that he did not appreciate the
birthright, viz., the Abrahamic promise, even if it were his, which in
fact it was not, since God had foreordained that it should belong to
Jacob. Esau thought more of his own selfish, immediate comfort than
anything that might come to him by reason of this promise. On one
occasion he was in the field hunting. He returned hungry and faint. He
found that Jacob had prepared a pot of lentils. When Esau smelled this
appetizing food he said to Jacob: "Feed me, I pray thee, with that same
red pottage, for I am faint". And Jacob said: "Sell me this day thy
birthright". "And Esau said, Behold I am at the point to die: and what
profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this
day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then
Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink,
and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright."
--Genesis 25:27-34.
[109]Genuine, real right and title to the birthright was now Jacob's
for two good and sufficient reasons: (1) because it was so ordered by
the Lord before his birth, as above stated; and (2) because he had
bought it in an open and fair transaction with his brother Esau.
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