WebEsau is described as a skillful hunter, red in hue, and covered with hair. Instead or because of. Like Abraham, Isaac lived in tentsa nomadic herder who moved around to wherever fields were available. Would not Isaac and Rebecca have evangelized both of their sons? Can we lose our salvation permanently? Rather than thinking carefully about what he was losing (or what happened to his fathers six brothers who didnt get any birthright), Esau just wanted food: Look, I am about to die What good is the birthright to me? (Genesis 25:32). Copyright 2011-2023, Third Millennium Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. Like his parentsSarah couldnt have children and laughed when God announced she would finally have oneIsaac and his wife initially struggled to have children. Jacob was a dweller in tents. In fact, at times, the blessings of God can actually call us into places of hardship or struggle. In fact, the name Esau means hairy. He also goes by the name Edom, meaning red, which is why his descendants are called the Edomites. In https://biblehub.com/genesis/27-39.htm, 12 versions translate it as "away from" fatness of the land and 7 versions say Esau would dwell in the fatness of the land. John Murray says, To suppose that the final word of differentiation in this passage is not intended to bear out the distinction between salvation and the coming short of the same is to suppose something that would make this word irrelevant to the apostles thesis. Believers sometime do terrible things, like when David committed adultery and then had Uriah killed, or when Cain was jealous of his brother and murdered him. After his party had crossed the Jabbok River, Jacob sent his family and possessions ahead and spent a night alone. Later in Genesis, we have every reason to believe that Esau continued to believe in and worship God. What is the meaning of Jacob wrestling with God. This is typically understood by commentators as indicating that Esau was not elect to eternal life, but that he was a reprobate who is now in hell. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 46 on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. The Bible uses the account of Jacob and Esau to represent Gods calling and election. Jacob loves his wife Rachel more than Leah, and thus favors Rachels children over Leas. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202, Bob Wilkin (ThM, PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary) is the Founder and Executive Director of Grace Evangelical Society and co-host of Grace in Focus Radio. Though Jewish tradition (see, for example, the Targum of Palestine on Genesis 25:29) affirms that Esau was a man of impure life, it is not probable that he is so represented in this verse.Here he is mentioned as a type of "the profane," who care not for divine things, but only for the gains and Esau has gone down in history as one of the most notorious big brothers. WebEsau, also called Edom, in the Old Testament (Genesis 25:1934; 27; 28:69; 32:321; 33:116; 36), son of Isaac and Rebekah, elder twin brother of Jacob, and in Hebrew When they met, Esau made it clear he had forgiven his brother: Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. The following is an excerpt from The MacArthur New Testament Commentary on Hebrews 12. WebEsau was good at hunting and loved doing things outside and Jacob liked to stick around home and did things on his own. Yet when Esau approaches Jacob there is no hint of animosity or resentment. The Bible account of Jacob and Esau includes Esau selling his birthright to Jacob and Jacob misleading his father Isaac into blessing him instead of Esau. Register. Today, Ken Yates and Bob Wilkin answer a question about having assurance of eternal salvation. Weblest anyone be a fornicator, or a profane person, as Esau, who in exchange for one morsel of food sold his birthright, Majority Standard Bible See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright. While their competition with each other is legendary, the fact that they forgave and reconciled is an equally powerful story. The fact that someone was carnally minded or failed to persevere in no way proves he wasnt born again. WebEsau is a Hebrew word that can mean hairy and refers to Esau being born with red skin and lots of hair. One of them cheated the other in a massive way, and it looked for a while as if revenge was going to settle their rivalry permanently. 4 And all the host of heaven shall be Chicago: Moody Press. Such activity may not always be in the forefront of life, but it is there. Agriculturally He would enjoy The fatness of the earth, i.e. When Esau returned home that evening, Esau walked passed Jacob's tent. He was totally worldly, Sorted by: 10. WebTraduzioni in contesto per "Esa, alzando gli occhi" in italiano-inglese da Reverso Context: 5 Poi Esa, alzando gli occhi, vide le donne e i bambini, e disse: Chi sono questi che hai con te? WebEsau was at this time a man of mature age, being either fifty-seven or seventy-seven years old, and must have been acquainted with the heavenly oracle (Genesis 25:23) that assigned the precedence in the theocratic line to Jacob. This combativeness cannot be solely ascribed to sibling rivalry. One of the unfortunate things we see in the narrative is the playing of favorites by both Isaac and Rebekah. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited. Early on, he had visions in his sleep, of a ladder leading to heaven (Genesis 28:10-22). Abraham, a descendent of Noah, had been told by God to leave his family and move to Canaan, as well as that his family line would be blessed (Genesis 12:1-4). WebSee that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. We sent you an email. Of Hebrew origin; Esau, an Edomite. The natural world would be made to respond to this man's status before the Lord. Whether or not this was the repentance of Genesis33, however, is not stated (I suspect it refers to the Gen. 27 episode, where we see Esau cry for a blessing). Esau is the consummate hunter. The writer of Hebrews uses Esau as a negative example of godlessness: See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless Is it possible to create a concave light? bless me, even me also, O my father. Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. 10:26). WebIn other words, Esau would be given prosperity in this world, and then (if he was interested), the "dew from heaven." a debauchee. Similarly Westcott noted, Love among Christians is the sign of a new life (The Epistles of John, p. 111). WebIn Jacob's blessing the dew of heaven is put first, as that which he most valued and desired: in Esau's the fatness of the earth is put first, for that was it which he had the principal Once Isaac blessed Jacob, this deathbed will was irreversible. In choosing to establish the redemptive plan through Jacob, the younger brother, God moves against the grain of worldly expectation. More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free! Esau would have to serve his brother and would not inherit the land of his father. Oh, that smells good!. His life is a constant battle. Neither of them did any action to deserve what God place unto them, the only thing that prevails in this situation is Behold, your dwelling shall be of thefatness of the earth, and of the Each brother brings unique skills, perceptions, and abilities to bear. [5] The Christian New Testament alludes Surely Adam and Eve, who met with the pre-incarnate Jesus in the garden (Gen 3:8; cf. WebEsau still wanted a blessing from his father, but Isaac knew there was little he could give him. Ultimately, salvation occurs not through our own mastery or expertise, but in responding to the gracious invitation of our ever-loving Lord. Numbers 3:5-12); and to the line of the firstborn would seem to belong that "blessing of Abraham" (Genesis 28:4) which every one who shared Abraham's faith would earnestly desire to possess. Depending on our situation, it may not always be possible to make restitution (which may be what Jacob was aiming for with his gift of livestock). All rights reserved. With the encouragement of Rebekah, however, Jacob poses as Esau and steals his fathers blessing. . Urged on by Rebekah, Jacob put on a disguise that made his skin feel hairy like Esaus and went to Isaac posing as his brother. The man replied that Jacob was wrestling with God himself (Genesis 32:24-32). The story of Jacob and Esau is not an easy fable of well-defined morality. Rebekah heard Isaacs plan and wanted the blessing for the son she preferred. Enter your email address and we will send you instructions on how to reset your password. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau] It is true that the blessing of Esau when rightly translated, Behold thy dwelling shall be away from the fatness of the earth and away from the dew of blessing (Genesis 27:39) reads more like a curse; but the next verse (40) involves a promise of ultimate freedom, and Esau obtained the blessings of that lower and less spiritual life for which he was alone fitted by his character and tastes. Esau, elder son of Isaac the patriarch, brother of Jacob. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Abrahams oldest son, Ishmael, was born by Hagar, an Egyptian slave who belonged to Abrahams wife, Sarah. change of mind, in Isaac that is meant, or rather in God, against whose will Isaac could not go; cf. Why did God love Jacob and hate Esau (Malachi 1:3; Romans 9:13)? In Hebrew culture, grasping the heel was a figurative way to express deception. The extent to which we can blame Esau for all his troubles is hard to say. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Bayless Conley, Jacob and Esau, Part 1 They exist in a combative relationship. P.O. Relentless Pursuit the blessing] with tears." New American Bible Both loveand hate here refer to Gods choice. of change of mind in the bestower of the blessing], though he sought it [i.e. This seems to be the view of many modern interpreters, though not of Bengel, De Wette, Bleek, Hofmann, Delitzsch, Alford, or of Luther, Calvin, Grotius, or any of the Greek Fathers. Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. . Contrary to how its often explained, forgiveness doesnt act like wrong things didnt happen. When Rebekah asked God what was going on, he informed her: and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger. Not only that, but one of the sons would be stronger, and while one would be older, he would serve the younger one (Genesis 25:23). Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. When he reached his mothers country he met his uncle Laban and worked for Laban for seven years to marry Labans daughter Rachel. One of Dr. Newman's Parochial Sermons ("Life the Season of Repentance," vol. One need only follow the history of the Edomite nation to see which of these two reasons is correct. While God is forgiving and can heal us, he also respects our freewill to choose against him. We cannot suppose that the writer has in thought the material rights of the firstborn, such as his claim on pre-eminence and, possibly (see Deuteronomy 21:17), on a larger share of his father's possessions. During the next few years, Jacob had a wide variety of strange experiences. Isaac gave Jacob a particular blessing: and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. However, the trouble between Jacob and Esau really came to a head when Isaac became old enough that his eyesight was gone, and he wasnt sure how much time he had left. From the base of bibrosko; eating; by extension food. Many passages teach that God will accept anyone who is repentant toward him. (1) as to whether "it" () in "he sought it" refers to "repentance" () or to "the blessing" ( ); (2) as to what "place of repentance" means. 'Sermon' 2) strikingly sets forth this view. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. For that is what I am. used for a person's change of mind with respect to his own misdoings (cf. When Esau came back and learned his brother had taken his blessing, he was upset. If Jacob believed in the coming Messiah for eternal life, wouldnt it be likely that his brother, Esau, would have as well? Jacob is the consummate manipulator and comes across us unyieldingly selfish. Did Ishmael and/or Esau go to heaven? Indeed, the way Cain is written about in 1 John 3 suggests he is a believer, not an unbeliever. RESPONSE: Even those who disbelieve in eternal security would have difficulty with this passage. The hell he was entering into he found to be totally miserable, and he wanted out. Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. Since the UK is now no longer a member of the EU, you may be charged an import tax on this item by the customs authorities in your country of residence, which is beyond our control. Esau became a man of the field and a hunter. His fathers blessing is met only with murderous threats and familial isolation. And that because he sold his birth right everyone of the white race is basically comdenned with no chance of repentance. Jacob traveled further into Canaan and bought some land that he settled on, naming it Elohe Israel (33:18-20). GES uses all contributions and proceeds from the sales of our resources to further the gospel of grace in the United States and abroad. Perhaps the saddest and most godless person in Scripture outside of Judas is Esau. He had no ethics or faith, no scruples or reverence. All rights reserved. They dont represent all believers. He also maintains his own blogrevkylenorman.ca. Genesis 27:36 And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? Over the following centuries, the Edomites were often enemies of Israel, although not always actively fighting them. Isaac made it clear he had no blessings left to give, although he did have a prophecy: Esau decided to wait until Isaac was dead to get revenge on Jacob (Genesis 27:41). They represent a special group of believers, those who persevere and overcome in this life. This article is part of our People of Christianity catalog that features the stories, meaning, and significance of well-known people from the Bible and history. away from the dew of heaven above. Thus we may render either, "When he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place of repentance [i.e. He. And consequently, hatred among Christians is the sign of the absence of life. Issac asked Esau to go hunt for a special meal after which he would pass the blessing. Behold, your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above. My son, he called out to him. He is mentioned in the Book of Genesis [3] and by the prophets Obadiah [4] and Malachi. It has no clear winners or losers; Jacob is never a perfect character. We do not know from this selection whether either or both men were regenerate. According to the Bible, Jacob was in the middle of a desolate area when he had a dream of a ladder, which connected heaven and earth, and angels climbing up and down on it. However, we do see clear evidence that Esau was reckless and foolish. Because we dont want you to incur expenditure for which you are not prepared, could you please confirm whether you are willing to pay this charge, if necessary? As famous siblings go in the Bible, Jacob and Esau rate up there with Cain and Abel. When Esau finally woke up to some extent and realized what he had forsaken, he made a half-hearted attempt to retrieve it. Mark 10:1722). Why was a fathers blessing so highly valued in the Old Testament? How Is Harry Potter a Literary Christ Figure? He would rather have his physical cravings satisfied than receive Gods blessings. (12:1617). That made him the primary inheritor of Isaacs estate. Jacob sent him word that he was coming to see him and Esau sent word back that hed meet Jacob with 400 of his men (Genesis 32:6). Hb). Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse, Jacob and Esau, Part 2 At some point, these prophecies were fulfilled. A survey of Old Testament introduction (3rd. WebAt the time, he was on the run from his brother Esau following an incident in which Jacob had tricked him out of his inheritance. But you ask, How did you love us?. Is the blessing of the father included in the birthright? Because Jacob stayed at home a lot he learned to cook with his mom. He then blessed Jacob, a blessing that promised a number of things: Abundant food from the land (Genesis 27:28), dominance over other people (Genesis 27:29a), dominance over his brothers and deference from his mothers family (Genesis 27:29b), that whoever cursed him would be cursed, that whoever blessed him would be blessed (Genesis 27:29c). Later in Genesis, we have every reason to believe that Esau continued to believe in and worship Is there contradiction between this verse ( Hebrews 11:20) and Genesis 27, Hebrews 12:16,17? Registered User He had no ethics or faith, no scruples or reverence. If Cain were viewed by John and his readers as an unregenerate man, this would be an odd warning since John indicated the readers were not only regenerate, but also strong in the faith (2:12-14, 20, 27). GDPR is the new European privacy regulation, which will replace the Data Protection Act 1998 in the UK and the equivalent legislation across the EU Member States. And Esau said to Jacob, Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted! (Therefore his name was called Edom.) He was born under a prophecy that his younger brother would dominate, so hed have lost out on the covenantal blessing even if Jacob hadnt used trickery. What is the difference between a blessing and a birthright (Genesis 25)? The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? This is a constant trend in scripture. He married women that upset his parents and didnt fully realize it until afterward (Genesis 28:6-9). for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. Abraham made his fortune by leaving his fathers land (Genesis 12:1-3), then letting his nephew Lot get the best-looking land (Genesis 13:1-7). Because Issac had poor sight he was tricked into giving the blessing to Jacob. There's a crazy theory among certain 'black Hebrew Israelites' (they claim to be the real Jews) that in the story of Jacob and Esau, esau is basically the entire white race. Jacob is an unlikely hero, but then again, so is Moses, David, Rahab, Ruth, Peter, and Paul. By your sword you shall live, and you shall And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me? Believers are not always faithful, kind, and loving. Jacobs children grew and started their own families and later immigrated to Egypt to survive a famine. Difficulty on this ground is removed if, taking the clause, "for he found no place of repentance," as parenthetical, we refer to , preceding. Reconciliation is never instantaneous. Esau not only was immoral, but was godless. When their father later knew, he said Jacob had been blessed already, and he cannot reverse the blessings. Let me give you a list of some people in the Bible who are commonly considered as unregenerate whom I believe most likely were born-again: King Nebuchadnezzar, King Saul, Balaam the prophet, King Agrippa, Simon Magus (Acts 8), all twelve sons of Jacob, Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10), Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5), Hymenaeus and Alexander (1 Tim 1:20). Why do small African island nations perform better than African continental nations, considering democracy and human development? Yet ultimately, as in all biblical accounts, our eyes are not to be fixed on human individuals. He bitterly regretted, but he did not repent. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. After losing his blessing, Esau laments; Isnt he rightly named Jacob? ncdu: What's going on with this second size column? Chicago, IL: Moody, 1998. G. Connor Salter is a writer and editor, with a Bachelor of Science in Professional Writing from Taylor University. ); also Matthew 7:22, etc. His despondency, therefore, is not parallel to anything on this side the grave." Jacob also showed that he wasnt above taking advantage of situations to get ahead of his brother: one day, Esau came home hungry from hunting and asked Jacob for some stew he was cooking. He found no place for repentance. Hungry, Esau told his brother, Quick, let me have some of that red stew! But Esau thought, by pleasing his parents in one thing, to atone for other wrong doings. Id be surprised if Cain and Esau are not now in heaven. Though Jacob practically stole the blessing, he went on to become a great nation. Both the OT and NT presents Cain as a murderer and one was of the wicked one. Commentators normally see this as meaning that Cain was unregenerate and that he too is a model of how the hateful world treats Believers. As flawed as we might be, or as prone to wrong decisions as Jacob was, we can be confident in Gods loving regard, and Gods willingness to redeem. 4 Things You May Not Know About Abraham in the Bible 20 Facts You May Not Know About Moses from the Bible Who Was Mary Magdalene in the Bible? Even if we feel that forgiveness or restoration is impossible, God is able to soften the hardest of hearts and work reconciliation amongst family members or friends. John S. Byerly, The Lure of Momentary Pleasure Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. WebEsau was faint with hunger because he had been very busy that day. He may not have been devout, but he cant entirely be blamed for the fact his descendants wouldnt follow God. Who Were the 12 Disciples of Jesus? The references to cursing and blessing repeated Gods words to Abraham when he left Haran (Genesis 12:3). The expression Cainwas of the wicked one does not mean that he was unregenerate. The fire of revenge slowly turned into the warmth of compassion. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! Dena Johnson, Jacob And The Scandal Of Faith the choicest parts of the earth. Isaacs blessing passed on the Abrahamic covenant, determined which of his sons would be like him and which one would be like Ishmael. Jacob also amasses plenty of resources, but only grows his flock through manipulation. From prototokos; primogeniture. Esau was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment (Genesis 25:24) and grew up to be an outdoorsman. WebEsau appears to understand and accept what has happened. Jacob has a keen intellect and a strategic mind. Does Hebrews 12:17 mean that GRACE has an end? This is the fundamental fault line that divides humanity in two, running through all other divisions of race, class, gender, and social standing. On the surface, their acts against God do not seem as wicked as those of many brutal and heartless pagans. That was the better country which Jacob and the other patriarchs had in view. At that point, he asked Esau to make him a wild game meal, and then he would give Esau his blessing (Genesis 27:1-4). It was also clear from the moment of birth that the boys would look very different. All rights reserved. Jacob feared that his children would never be free of Esau's domination, but God assured him that at the End of Days, Edom too would come falling down. Commentary on Genesis 28:6-9 (Read Genesis 28:6-9) Good examples impress even the profane and malicious. Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular, Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular. the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. I now consider this way of viewing people like Esau and Cain as Biblical. Up, over, back, etc. Esaus foolhardy behavior reminds us that there are consequences when we shirk those responsibilities. Proud member He grows his resources to a place of plenty through his own skill and labor. Jacob and Esau were the sons of Isaac and Rebekah, and the grandsons of Abraham and Sarah. The Theft of Esaus Blessing - Eventually, Isaac grew so old that he could not see. The Hebrew word for plain is the same word translated in other Scripture as perfect, upright, undefiled. This sure sounds like the interaction of a believer with his Lord. WebEsau took his wives from the Canaanites: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite, and Basemath, Ishmael's daughter, the sister of Nebaioth. Given Jacobs manipulative character, and the manner in which he treats Esau, what lesson are we to glean? And you wont know until you die. The text says definitively that Isaac, who had a taste for while game, loved Esau; but Rebekah loved Jacob (Genesis 25:28) The parents stoke the fires of rivalry between the two boys by placing one child over the other. It Is So Painful to Care: How Do I Conquer Apathy? The Talmud learns that the day of Abrahams death was the same day Esau violated a young bride and committed What Does It Mean That There Is No One Holy Like God? Just because he sought for it with tears does not indicate sincerity or true remorse. Gleason Archer writes, The binding character of a deathbed will, such as was elicited from Isaac by Jacob, is attested by a case where a man named Tarmiya established his right to a woman he had married by proving that his father on his deathbed orally bestowed her on him. Jacob and Esau literally were fighting each other from before they could remember. We must cast our vision upon Gods presence and activity. Esau responds to this by promising to murder his brother. He had no regard for the good, the truthful, the divine. After clicking 'Register', you will receive an email with a link to verify your account and to complete your registration. I put everything you like in this stew. Tradition relates that, up to the time of Aaron, priestly functions were discharged by each firstborn son (comp. Grace In Focus is sent to subscribers in the United States free of charge. What he rejects is not the real heaven (nobody will be boring in heaven), and what he wants is not the real hell, but the tolerable hell of his Esau wept bitterly that he could not repent (Hebrews 12:17). The more positive events of his life, such as his vision of the angelic ladder, his marrying of Rachel, and his wrestling with the angel of the Lord, all occur against the backdrop of his constant deceit. Changing Theological Landscapes (Heb 13:8). I believe this occurred when I took a course in the Johannine Epistles taught by Zane Hodges around 1981. Jacob finally left when it became clear Labans sons resented him (Genesis 31:1-2). But Esau thought, by pleasing his parents in one thing, to atone for other wrong doings. (Genesis 25:23). He then moved Leah and her children to the front of his group, Rachel and Joseph to the back, and approached Esau in a humble pose (Genesis 33:1-3). I had no name for his view, for it was neither Calvinism nor Arminianism. WebOnce when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. See also 'Christian Year' (Second Sunday in Lent), with the appended note: "Esau's probation, as far as his birthright was concerned, was quite over when he uttered the cry in the text. The believing readers are warned not to be like Cain. Make no mistake about it. WebWhen Esau learned that Isaac had given the blessing to Jacob, he lifted up his voice, and wept , suggesting he had no intention of keeping his earlier promise. After all, Hebrews says that Esau couldnt repent after this sin (he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears). Rebekah felt the babies jostling each other within her (Genesis 25:22) and when she asked God was what happening, his answer was that her sons would be the founders of two separate nations (Genesis 25:23). https://biblehub.com/commentaries/hebrews/11-20.htm, 39 His father Isaac answered him, Esau, also called Edom, in the Old Testament (Genesis 25:1934; 27; 28:69; 32:321; 33:116; 36), son of Isaac and Rebekah, elder twin brother of Jacob, and in Hebrew tradition the ancestor of the Edomites. Attach an asterisk (*) to the end of a word as a wildcard. God raised them up as enemies to Solomon (1 Kings 11:14), and on one occasion, the Edomites cheered as Jerusalem fell (Psalm 137:7). Unfortunately, because Jacob grew up in a family-system rooted in favoritism, he embodies this very dynamic toward his own children. [1] Archer, G., Jr. (1994). Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Having been just declared the head of the family, he must now leave the family in fear of his life. Genesis 28-31 describes Jacobs adventures in Paddan Aram, including marrying two wives and amassing his own fortune as a herdsman. Romans 9 does not say that Jacob was chosen to have everlasting life. From apo and didomi; to give away, i.e. In the New Testament, Esaus decision to sell his birthright is utilized as an illustration of ungodlinessa godless person who will put worldly attractions over spiritual blessings (Hebrews 12:15-17). Yet while Gods blessings over us do not take us away from difficulty, they declare the presence of God in the midst of the difficulty. Jacobs experience of redemption encourages us to consider how God may be moving outside of our own worldly expectations.