Genesis 25  Here at the halfway mark of the book of Genesis, we read about Abraham's death at the age of 175.  Abraham took another wife or concubine, Keturah, and had 6 more sons after Isaac. All of these sons were sent eastward, away from the land that Isaac received from his father.  It was Isaac and his brother Ishmael that buried Abraham in the cave of Machpelah.  Ishmael had 12 sons who were considered "princes".. and established 12 tribes...  away from the land of his brother Isaac.  Ishmael was 137 when he died. 

Isaac was 40 when he married Rebekah and 60 when Esau and Jacob were born.  He prayed for his wife to have a child and she had twins. Nothing about this was expected or easy.. the twins struggled with each other from the womb to the tomb!  Esau was red and hairy.. an outdoors man who was a "skillful hunter". This made him Isaac's favorite for they both loved wild game.  Jacob was "peaceful" and stayed home, which made him Rebekah's favorite.  But, he was manipulative and deceitful.  What a pair to carry on the legacy of their grandfather, Abraham. 

The issue of the "birthright" is an important part of this story.  Esau was the firstborn.. by a few minutes at most, since Jacob had hold of his heel..  but, according to the custom of the time, he was the rightful owner of the birthright.  However, he was more than willing to give up his right to it.. for a bowl of soup. It did not mean anything to him, showing that he "despised his birthright".  Jacob, on the other hand, desired the birthright and used an opportune moment to take it from his brother in exchange for the soup.  Not only did the birthright mean that the oldest son would receive the majority of the inheritance from their father.. but there was, in this case, a spiritual dimension to this position.  Rebekah knew from before the birth of her sons that the older would serve the younger.. God told her this.  It was God's plan all along for Jacob to be the one chosen to carry on the covenant promises. There was no need for manipulation or deception... 

Father, sometimes we take things into our own hands that would have worked out much better in Yours. Help us to learn from the lessons of Your word.. to value what is right above what it is that we want.  You know the desires of our hearts.. You know our spiritual, physical, and emotional needs.  May we rest in You.. wait on You.. and trust You to accomplish what is Your good and perfect will.  Thank You for being so patient with us. Thank You that even when we fail.. You still bring about Your good purposes. How marvelous is Your mercy, Lord God!  How great Your grace!   Take our hearts Lord, and make them wholly Yours.. in all things.. we pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.