Divine Lessons

Genesis 25:19-34

Genesis 25:19–34 LSB

Now these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham became the father of Isaac; and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. And Isaac entreated Yahweh on behalf of his wife because she was barren; and Yahweh was moved by his entreaty. So Rebekah his wife conceived. But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If it is so, why then am I this way?” So she went to inquire of Yahweh. And Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger.” And her days to give birth were fulfilled, and behold, there were twins in her womb. And the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau. Afterward his brother came forth with his hand holding on to Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob; and Isaac was sixty years old when she gave birth to them. And the boys grew up; Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents. Isaac loved Esau because he had an appetite for hunted game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. And Jacob had cooked stew. And Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. Then Esau said to Jacob, “Please give me a swallow from the red stuff—this red stuff, for I am famished.” Therefore his name was called Edom. But Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.” And Esau said, “Behold, 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 to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. So Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank and rose and went away. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Of Prayer

Yahweh answers prayer by His action and/or His explanation

Conception

Two nations are fighting

Other gods answer prayer through human action and human interpretation (Some from Akkadian literature)

Extispicy - The removal of sheep or goats liver to determine vitality

Medical practice known as hepatoscopy

libanomancy - rising of smoke and studying the configurations

lecanomancy - pouring of water into oil, vice versa and studying the shapes

belomancy - shooting of arrows

oneiromancy - interpreting dreams

Of Creative Authority

Esau -

Hairy/Red - Skin/personality

Occupation - Sportsman - barbaric

Character - Violent/Animalistic/Impulsive/Charismatic/Personal

Jacob -

Smooth - Skin/personality

Occupation - Husband - civilized

Character - Gentle/Intuitive/Cautious/Obnoxious/Popular

Of Creative Order

Esau -

Short sighted in thought and emotion, living for “today” (YOLO)

Gluttony - the action of excessive/over indulgence

The stomach of Esau is his god, the kitchen is his temple, and the Chef is his high priest.

The actions of gluttony is the negligence of stewardship with the provisions given from and by Yahweh

Jacob -

Long term thinking, emotional intelligent, lives for tomorrow

Greed - insatiable desire for gain

Self is the god of Jacob, mind, body, and soul are his temples, and he is the High Priest.

The action of greed is the negligence of belief/faith in the plan, will, and execution of that plan by and through Yahweh

Of Application

Our actions are dictated by our beliefs. Isaac and Rebekah believed in prayer, and brought their supplications before Yahweh. They believed in “psychology” and treated their sons differently according to their “own” opinions. Esau believed that he was going to die and traded his birth-right for a bowl of stew. Jacob believed in himself and manipulated his brother for personal gain and prestige. What do you believe? Why do you believe it, and how is it impacting you and the world in which we live?