This week we begin the Jacob Esau story. Isaac married Rebekah when he was 40 years old. Rebekah was barren and Isaac prayed on her behalf and she became pregnant and gave him 2 sons when he was 60 years old. From day one Jacob and Esau were 2 nations fighting in the womb. As the boys grew up Esau who was the 1st born became a great hunter. Jacob had a quite temperament more of the stay at home type. One day Esau came home exhausted after being in the wilderness he saw Jacob cooking a pot of stew. Esau demanded Jacob give him some of the stew. Jacob said only if he would sell him the birthright. Esau sells his birthright for a pot of stew. The Bible then tells us that Esau showed contempt for the birthright.

Later we learn Esau followed in his father’s foot steps and married at age 40. “At the age of forty, Esau married two Hittite wives: Judith, the daughter of Beeri, and Basemath, the daughter of Elon. But Esau’s wives made life miserable for Isaac and Rebekah.” Again Esau shows contempt for the birthright. Esau marries Canaanite women not blood relatives.

Jacob then deceives Isaac and steals the blessing from Esau. Isaac blesses Jacob with the blessing of the 1st born. Esau shows up shortly after Jacob received the blessing. Esau prepares the meal Isaac asked for and brings it to him. Esau presents himself to Isaac and Isaac begins to tremble as he realized what Jacob had done.
Esau vowed to kill Jacob because of this deception. Rebekah tells Jacob to flee to his uncle Laban. Rebekah then tells Isaac she is tired of the local Hittite women. She tells Isaac she would rather die than see Jacob marry one of these women.

Genesis 28:1-4
“So Isaac called for Jacob, blessed him, and said, “You must not marry any of these Canaanite women. Instead, go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of your grandfather Bethuel, and marry one of your uncle Laban’s daughters. May God Almighty bless you and give you many children. And may your descendants multiply and become many nations! May God pass on to you and your descendants the blessings he promised to Abraham. May you own this land where you are now living as a foreigner, for God gave this land to Abraham.””

After this blessing from Isaac Esau changes. He realizes he has an issue and how he despised the birthright. He immediately goes to Ishmael and marries one his daughters. Esau goes to family to find a new wife.

Now in the news this week in the Middle East we have brothers fighting again. Nations are fighting nations. They all are related. They all come from Abraham. In Syria a group of rebels have risen up and taken over several cities. These rebels are ISIS and Al-Qaeda. They hate Israel (their brother) they also hate Iran (their brother) the Palestinians agenda (their brother). They all hate each other. Israel is like Jacob they were home bodies keeping to themselves until October 7. Esau and Ishmael came from the wilderness despising what God has given then. They are not happy they are full of hate. They do not realize who they are. They are trying to take what is not theirs so they can take back the birthright they 1st despised. We are watching a family feud that is centuries in the making. What has God given you that you have despised? It is time for you to accept your birthright.