2007-05-05 17:14:08 · 12 answers · asked by Mithrianity 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
We learn from all the dysfunctional families in the Bible. Why is it that the Israelite 1st sons never inherit the birthright -- yet in surrounding cultures it is always the 1st son who inherits?
Do you suppose we are to learn that leadership must be reserved for those wise enough to use it compassionately rather than for those who come by it through nothing more than birth right?
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2007-05-05 17:27:45 · answer #1 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God saw that Jacob was the stronger one and that he could lead the people, however Esau was born with the birthright. An angel came to their mother and told her that Jacob was the one that should have the birthright because he was going to lead a great nation. Since Isaac was old and blind, Jacobs mother dressed him up like Esau so that Isaac wouldn't know the difference when he blessed him and gave over the birthright. Fearing for his life, Jacob ran. He thought Esau would kill him for taking the birthright. When Jacob finally stopped running and rested. He had a dream that all the land around him and the rock which he laid his head would all be his one day, this was God's promise. Jacob had many struggles because he was foolish in the beginning and didn't listen to God. But God changed his name to Israel and he returned home to Esau who ran and greeted him and wrapped his arms around him and said he was so happy to see him...God had healed everything and made everything right. Esau was very blessed and God made him very prosperous however Jacob "Israel" lead a great nation that still stands today. God made a promise that Israel would never fall and never be defeated and still to this day after 1000's of years of war. Israel has defeated every country that has stood against it.
This is the story....some deception, but you have to remember there was not actual person at that time to really tell them right from wrong as Jesus did when he came about, so people kind of took the law into their own hands.
2007-05-06 00:27:34 · answer #2 · answered by Leslie R 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
before the birth of his sons Esau and Jacob it was prophesied that the older one would serve the younger.
Isaac thought he was going to die soon so he got ready to pass the blessing on to his oldest Esau..but with poor eyesight and a trick from Jacob and Rebekah he blessed the wrong son, Jacob. He did not correct the matter remembering what was foretold.
Esau had already sold his birthright for a bowl of lentil stew.
which proved Esau did not have respect for sacred things.
2007-05-06 00:28:42 · answer #3 · answered by debbie2243 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It wasn't just the children of Isaac - it was the ancient world. Life expectancy of 40, max....high infant mortality rate....patriarchial society with inheritance based on patrimony....it set up a lot of conflict. Not just Jacob and Esau, but Cain vs. Abel, the Zealots vs. the Romans, the Jews vs. the Syrians, Herod vs. John the Baptist....the whole Old Testament is full of double-dealing, intrigue, cutthroats, thieves, seduction, murder.....it's better than anything Quentin Tarantino can come up with......
2007-05-06 00:42:36 · answer #4 · answered by Mel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jacob stole his birthright...Gen 25:32 And Esau said, Behold, I [am] at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? Jacob stole his blessing too...Gen 27:23 And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.
Gen 27:41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob. Then they made up...Gen 33:4 And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.
2007-05-06 00:16:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Esau gave up his birthright for a bowl of soup and Jacob then stole his patriarchal blessing.
2007-05-06 00:18:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
James 3:13-17 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
Two Kinds of Wisdom
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
2007-05-06 00:21:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of the greatest of ancient Prophets Jacob was a thief? Why did God choose a thief to be his representative on earth?
( just a thought ) Possibility? - Maybe God wanted to show humanity, whether we are good or bad, as long as one's heart is truly repentent of one's action He is willing to forgive?
2007-05-06 00:27:20 · answer #8 · answered by Tiara 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you were a starving member of a stone age tribe, living next to other tribes in the Middle East trying to kill you off and take your goats, you'd be pretty bitter and angry too. And not much has changed there in 5000 years, has it???
2007-05-06 00:19:20 · answer #9 · answered by April 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because they were human...
2007-05-06 00:17:41 · answer #10 · answered by Gamla Joe 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋