Jacob laid in wait for his brother, knowing he would be hungry. If it was a sin for Esau to sell his birthright to Jacob for food, isn't Jacob an accesory and instigator to that sin? God (Jehovah) seems awfully vindictive towards Esau about this, especially given that Esau later forgave his brother! Why reward JACOB'S behavior...?
2006-12-12 06:56:28 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The matters related to Esau and Jacob are interesting because they remind humans that only Jehovah and Jesus can truly read the heart of a man, and understand all that motivates him.
(1 Samuel 16:7) For not the way man sees is the way God sees, because mere man sees what appears to the eyes; but as for Jehovah, he sees what the heart is.
(Matthew 9:4) Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said: "Why are you thinking wicked things in your hearts?
(Mark 2:8) Jesus, having discerned immediately by his spirit that they were reasoning that way in themselves
(John 2:25) [Jesus] was in no need to have anyone bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.
It is interesting also to note that Esau was not necessarily HUNGRY, but he certainly was rash and impulsive and impatient. Note the actual words that Esau used in demanding stew from Jacob.
(Genesis 25:30) Esau said to Jacob: “Quick, please, give me a swallow of the red - the red there, for I am *TIRED*!” [caps added]
It would seem that Jacob's tough negotiations were entirely appropriate and acceptable to Jehovah.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20030422/article_03.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/na/
2006-12-12 07:23:58 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A birthright was a special honour given to the firstborn son. It includes a double portion of the family inheritance along with the honour of one day becoming the family's leader. The oldest son could sell his birthright or give it away if he chose but will loose both material goods and his leadership position. Esau did just that, he showed total disregard for the spiritual blessings that would have come his way one day. This is what God saw in Esau and hated that not Esau personally but his disregard for the blessing. (This story is way to long to get into on this forum, but email me and we can discuss it some more if you wish). Blessings.
2006-12-12 07:36:02 · answer #2 · answered by charmaine f 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The first answer I read is "on the spot", Esau saw greater importance in earthly things than the eternal birthright from God he was to inheirit. Also, Jacob did learn his lesson from God about being conniving. Remember the fiasco with Rachel and his uncle Laban? Also, one must understand what the word "hate" means in the scriptures.
In the Hebrew language there are several charaterisics that are unkown to us in the present. Yet, study of the language will reveal much.
In the English we can say, "Holiest God Almighty." Yet in ancient Hebrew they said it like this, "Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty." The ancient Hebrew language has no superlative terms. Therefore the repetition in their phrases (Holy, holy, holy) instead of "Holiest."
Also, in the Ancient Hebrew language they did not have words that demonstrated preference. In the English we can say, "I LOVE chocolate ice cream, but like vanilla." You can discern a degree of preference here. However, in the ancient Hebrew they could only express this preference with the words "LOVE" and "HATE" . One can LOVE chocolate and HATE vanilla. The vanilla ice cream is not despised by the person and they do enjoy it when they have it, but if chocolate were available they would prefer that more than vanilla.
And so, when they say in the scriptures, "God hated Esau," it is this same language of preference. God prefered Jacob more than Esau. God did not do violence to Esau and Esau was blessed with the gifts Jacob brought back from earlier exploits. So, Esau received his recompense from the Lord through the man who cheated him (Jacob). You can read about the event in Genesis 32.1-33.20. Is not God great and more cunning than Jacob.
There is an added feature in the story that was unlike many stories and histories of its time. Most mythology or historical stories always have the character as someone very powerful, charismatic, handsome, heroic, etc. etc. This is why the bible and history of the Hebrew people was so different. They tell a history of humble beginnings (they were slaves), they were not well liked and thought strange (the word Hebrew is from the Egyptian word "Apiru" which was a pejorative term (could mean lower class or in our modern wording "bums"). Also, a lot of their heroes were not perfect (Jacob, Samson, Saul, David, etc. etc.). This was to demonstrate that God qualifies those He calls and does not call the qualified (meaning what we think are the qualifications for being a hero or leader). God is so powerful He even uses the imperfect to do His will to spread His blessings upon the earth. I hope this is helpful.
May the Lord bless and keep you. May He let the light of His face shine upon you.
God's and your beast of burden
Fr. john
2006-12-12 07:30:06 · answer #3 · answered by som 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know people are going to write "the word hate used there didn't mean hate", but that's wrong. It does mean hate. I have pondered this same thing and even asked a similar question on this site. Jacob was deceitful but he believed in God and wanted the blessing so bad he and Rebecca deceived Isaac to get it. Esau didn't value the things of God. He sold his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup. That's why, despite Jacob's shortcomings, God favored him over his brother.
2006-12-12 07:04:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because Esau was willing to sell his blessing (his own birthright as firstborn...the very highest of honors) for a pot of stew.
And you are right...Jacob was a crafty liar and an instigator, no doubt. But don't think ol' Israel had it easy...he had to wrestle with God and had his hip thrown out of socket not long after!
2006-12-12 07:02:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Esau/Edomites have been forced to become component to Israel by using John Hyrcanus in 125BC. This replaced into opposite to the opt for of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, bcause Yah hates Esau. That replaced into appropriate to the time that the relatives tree lists began to be handed over, because of the fact the hot team, spoke of as Jews, did no longer have any...yet they had the Talmud, from Babylon. Yahshua Christ had a checklist of his relatives tree bcause he replaced into Hebrew. In Genesis 9:27, the be conscious "pathah" that's translated "decieve" all the 27 situations it incredibly is used contained in the bible, is that this one time translated "improve". it would examine: "God shall decieve Japheth, and he shall stay contained in the tents of Shem." In 740AD, the Jews moved into Khazaria, by using invitation, and married among the folk. by using the third technology, their offspring believed that they have got been the "chosen human beings". so as that immediately, the folk residing contained in the land the place Shem's little ones pitched their tents, believe that they are Semites. that's the descendants of Edomites, and the Khazars, the Jews.
2016-10-05 05:41:50 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because Jacob's intuitive sense told him that eternal blessing was of greater value than temporal pleasures.
He used every means at his disposal to secure the blessing. His life was filled with reaping what he sowed in this life; He had to work 14 years for his wives because Laban, his father-in-law tricked him.
Esau was not concerned with spiritual matters.
2006-12-12 07:00:47 · answer #7 · answered by Jay Z 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Friend, I hope that such illogical / unfair / vindictive contradictions encourage your further critical review of The Bible. I believe it is better called The Babel, a jumbled confusion, a book probably better discarded altogether.
2006-12-12 07:09:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are assuming that God only blesses those that are "worthy." In which case no one would ever be blessed.
2006-12-12 07:02:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was the woman's fault again.
Personally, I don't think anyone should take the old testament as a divine guidance.
2006-12-12 07:03:18 · answer #10 · answered by Tawani 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋