Healing and Hatred

Today we continue our series 23andme as we take a deep dive into the Genealogy of Jesus. The more we read the stories which make up Jesus' lineage, the more human and relatable he becomes. Why? Because the stories we see in the family history of Jesus look very similar to our own family history. Today, much like last week, the recurring theme of today's story is going to be one of complication. Because yet another controversial decision regarding birthright is going to be made. The controversy will once again revolve around the younger brother having birthright over the older. This story will be one of foolish judgment, blatant favoritism, deception, and eventually reconciliation. The story I am referring to is that of Jacob and Esau. Let’s look to Genesis 25 to start our story

Genesis 25:27–29 ESV

When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted.

What could possibly go wrong? You have 2 twin brothers who are extreme opposites of each other. Esau is an avid outdoorsman. On any given day you can find him wearing either Redhead or Mossy Oak hunting gear. He’s either sporting a Winchester hunting rifle or shotgun, or perhaps a Bear bow and arrow. His home is adorned with the head mounts of deer, elk, moose, wild boar, turkey, and other animals. Jacob on the other hand would fit the modern-day definition of a “Mama’s Boy” fair or not, this is how he’d be defined. Jacob is reserved, quiet, and tends to enjoy staying at home.

The parental situation isn’t any less volatile. Isaac and Rebekah each show favoritism towards one of their sons. Isaac shows favoritism towards Esau, because of the game he kills and brings home. Rebekah shows favoritism towards Jacob.

Isaac and Rebekah are both considered giants in the faith. You will find Paul’s name in the faith hall of fame in Hebrews 11. However the home-life they were creating was far from healthy. The clear favoritism of Isaac and Rebekah were pitting their children against each other.

They were not helping their children fall in line with God’s plan for them. In Genesis 25:24 Rebekah was told Jacob would be the heir, and Esau would serve Jacob. This is likely why she favored Jacob. Regardless, this would be a complicated situation, and Isaac and Rebekah would have to handle it very carefully and gently. Isaac and Rebekah would do neither.

If Rebekah neglected to tell Isaac the news about Jacob having higher authority than Esau, then we know why Isaac stubbornly favored Esau. However if Rebekah DID tell Isaac, then Isaacs favoritism towards Esau was fighting directly against the will of God. Additionally this would do nothing to help his sons adjust to God’s will.

This unhealthy situation is paving the way between the resentment and hatred between Jacob and Esau. Because of the unhealthy nature of this household, God's plan would come to fruition through deception. Let’s continue in Genesis 25 to continue our story

Genesis 25:29–34 ESV

Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Esau comes home from Hunting, and apparently he’s hungry. Jacob is cooking what is described as “Red-Stew” Esau smells the stew and in his hunger he asks Jacob to give him some stew. Jacob responds by offering a preposterous and unreasonable offer. Jacob asks him to sell him his birthright. This means assets, titles, wealth, Esau was entitled to all of it, and that’s exactly what Jacob wants in exchange for some stew.

There have been cases when I’ve been out to eat, and I decided to order something that was really expensive. I was aware of its cost, however the look of the food was just so appetizing that in the moment, I didn’t care.

However I’ve never found a meal so appealing that I’m willing to part with family assets, wealth, and titles. However that’s exactly what Esau does.

Why exactly would Esau do something so foolish? How could he allow himself to be conned so easily? Perhaps Esau believed he had a safety net? It seems that despite Esau giving up his birthright, the issue of the family inheritance was still in doubt. A blessing from the patriarch seems to carry similar weight to the claim of birthright. To learn of this plan, we must look to Genesis 27:1-10

Genesis 27:1–10 ESV

When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son”; and he answered, “Here I am.” He said, “Behold, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me, and prepare for me delicious food, such as I love, and bring it to me so that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.” Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game and bring it, Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, ‘Bring me game and prepare for me delicious food, that I may eat it and bless you before the Lord before I die.’ Now therefore, my son, obey my voice as I command you. Go to the flock and bring me two good young goats, so that I may prepare from them delicious food for your father, such as he loves. And you shall bring it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.”

It seems as if Isaac and Esau had plans for a deception of their own right. The blessing of the Patriarch in most cases would likely go to whichever son possessed the birthright. In this case the blessing should go to Jacob. However Isaac and Esau had a plan where Esau would receive the blessing.

Isaac planned to give his favored son Esau his blessing, all Esau had to do was go out and kill some delicious game. Esau was all too happy to accept. Rebekah overhears their plans. The fact that Rebekah had to “overhear” the conversation means that she likely wasn’t included in the discussion. This means the conversation of Isaac and Esau was likely done in secret. I’m sure Rebekah would have liked to be part of this conversation. However Isaac clearly didn’t want her to be part of it, likely because he knew she’d object.

So Rebekah and Jacob devise a secretive of their own. This plan involved Jacob impersonating Esau, and stealing the blessing for himself.

Jacob and Rebekah are successful in their plans. Jacob steals the blessing meant for Esau. Thus God’s will came to fruition.

Esau was understandably angry. Jacob had stolen his birthright and blessing, leaving Esau with little. So Esau planned to kill Jacob once Isaac had died.

Rebekah would catch wind of this and warn Jacob, where he would flee to live with his uncle Laban.

However that’s not the end of the story, after eventually finding prosperity Jacob reaches out to Esau in hopes for peace. Esau agrees to meet with Jacob, though Jacob is still fearful that his brother harbors resentment. For the conclusion of this story, we must look to Genesis 33:1-7

Genesis 33:1–7 ESV

And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two female servants. And he put the servants with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.” Then the servants drew near, they and their children, and bowed down. Leah likewise and her children drew near and bowed down. And last Joseph and Rachel drew near, and they bowed down.

This story reminds me of the parable of the prodigal son. Jacob approaches Esau, expecting him to still be resentful. However when Esau sees him he runs and embraces him. Jacob and Esau meet each other's family, and a wonderful reunion ensues.

The life situation paved the way for hatred between these 2 brothers. Most of this resentment would be created through actions outside of Jacob and Esau. Throughout their whole lives, their world would tell them how they needed to hate each other. However in the end it didn’t matter, reconciliation was inevitable. The love these brothers shared could not be extinguished, because in the end, love wins.

Despite the world telling Jacob and Esau they should hate each other, love still wins. Despite growing up in an unhealthy environment, still wins. Despite the fact that Jacob was convinced that Esau would hate him, love still wins.

If this story does anything, I hope it’s this. I hope it reinforces your belief in reconciliation. I hope you believe that love wins.