‘“Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one
people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger”’ (Genesis
25:23). God, in His foreknowledge, foretold that these two children would be
separated, even though they were twins from the same parents. He knew also the
cause of the separation.
Later when the two sons were all grown up, the Bible records a most unfortunate
incident on how Esau lost his birthright and fulfilled God’s words that he would
serve Jacob:
Genesis 25: 29-34 says, ‘Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the
open country, famished.^ He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m
famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom).^ Jacob replied, “First sell me your
birthright.”
“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”^ But Jacob said,
“Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.^ Then Jacob
gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So
Esau despised his birthright.’
And this last statement is the core reason why Isaac lost his birthright. He despised
his inheritance and sold his birthright, something God had foreseen.
Esau did not value his sonship; he did not value his position as the first born. He
was not at risk of death by starvation for going without food for a day, or a few
days. God’s people are after all called to fast often. Still, he felt one meal was worth
the loss of his birthright.
Sadly many God’s people, and even his children, have done the very same thing
many times, preferring the pleasures of sin for a minute, rather than endure a bit
of pain and discomfort for the promise of new life. This was played out in the story
of Judas when he betrayed Jesus then hanged himself, thus losing his position
forever.
Thus the Bible says to us in reference to Esau in Hebrews 12:16- 17 , ‘ See that no one
is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights
as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was