Genesis 25:19-34
These are the descendants of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, sister of Laban the Aramean. Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife because she was barren, and the Lord granted his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is to be this way, why do I live?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples born of you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other; the elder shall serve the younger.” When her time to give birth was at hand, there were twins in her womb. The first came out red, all his body like a hairy mantle, so they named him Esau. Afterward his brother came out, with his hand gripping Esau’s heel, so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. Isaac loved Esau because he was fond of game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stuff, for I am famished!” (Therefore he was called Edom.) Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” 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. Genesis 25:19-3 (NRSVUE)
There is always more to the story. Most stories we've heard, told, or even experienced ourselves seem to always have more to say, more to tell, more to learn. Today’s devotional text from Genesis is in the same vein as other stories. We hear a snapshot of the long, often dysfunctional lives on God’s people, which includes us :), of the Sons of Isaac. Jacob and Esau are brothers with very different skills and dispositions, it seems where one lacks, the other has strength.
While Esau seems indifferent to the birthright and blessing, so much so that he “sells” it to his younger brother, Jacob, most likely out of hunger. Jacob on the other hand, from the womb till now and beyond, is actively trying to obtain the birthright that is not his.
And there’s more to the story. Jacob, later on in the story, tricks his father into giving the blessing to him not to the intended recipient, the first born, Esau.
So, what are we to do with this story? A story that seems to never end. A story of blessings and promises. A story of the descendants of Abraham. A story that we know and hear bits and pieces of and yet has so much to say. While it’s easy to cast Esau and Jacob as moral or morally corrupt characters, there is something bigger and more complex going on.
First, people are complicated. How often do our actions stem from our desires or needs that we feel are unmet. The need for love, embrace, acceptance, grace. That we all are more than the mistakes we make, the feelings we have, or the image we have of ourselves.
Second off, the promises and blessings of God and others, aren’t to be sold, bartered, or tricked into receiving. God’s promise of Grace is freely given. Despite the actions of Esau and Jacob, God’s grace has a way of finding them, even if it’s much further along in the story of their lives.
May the grace of God surprise us and find us all.
Questions for Reflection:
- Who is someone that is complicated in your life?
- How might the grace of God give you a new perspective and light on that person?
- How might the grace of God give you a new perspective and light on your life?
Prayer:
God of Grace,
Continue to find us in our complicated lives. Fill us with your grace so that we may know we are made in your image and live into your promises.
Amen.
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