27 And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. 28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: 30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. 31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. 32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? 33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright (Genesis 25:27-34).
These details may seem peculiar to us, but they are very significant. It was prophesized that Esau would serve Jacob. We know from these verses that this was a result of Esau giving up his birthright for food. Now it can be argued here that Jacob was cunning and that he should have just fed his brother rather than bribe him, but the point of this passage is that Esau’s motivation was purely on temporary and immediate concerns rather than on living up to long-term expectations. Esau did not value his future past his immediate needs.
These details may seem peculiar to us, but they are very significant. It was prophesized that Esau would serve Jacob. We know from these verses that this was a result of Esau giving up his birthright for food. Now it can be argued here that Jacob was cunning and that he should have just fed his brother rather than bribe him, but the point of this passage is that Esau’s motivation was purely on temporary and immediate concerns rather than on living up to long-term expectations. Esau did not value his future past his immediate needs.
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