Day 19

Esau Sells His Birthright

Genesis 25:21–34

Like his father Abraham, Isaac lived in the land of Canaan. His wife Rebekah could not have children. So Isaac prayed and God answered his prayer. Rebekah gave birth to twin boys. She named them Esau and Jacob.

Esau was born first. He would get twice as much as Jacob when Isaac died. This was called the birthright.

Jacob grew to be a quiet man, living in the tents. Esau became a hunter in the fields. When Esau brought meat from the hunt, he gave some to Isaac. So Isaac loved Esau more than Jacob. But Rebekah liked the wise and careful Jacob.

One day Esau came in from the fields hungry and tired. Since it was time for dinner, Jacob cooked a pot of soup. “Please give me some soup,” Esau asked.

“Will you trade your birthright for some soup?” Jacob asked.

“Why not?” answered Esau. “I am about to die of hunger. If I do die, I won’t need my birthright.” And Esau promised Jacob his birthright.

Jacob was selfish with Esau. This was not right. But Esau was foolish to sell his birthright. This was wrong.

Questions: What is the birthright? What did Jacob use to buy Esau’s birthright?