Loving Demands Sacrifice

When Esau traded his birthright for a bowl of soup, Genesis 25:34 tells us he then despised his birthright and looked at it with contempt, believing it was worthless. His attitude was a defense for acting impulsively to satisfy his immediate hunger. We’ve all been guilty of acting impulsively, then dealing with consequences that tend to linger on indefinitely.

A young man told of an incident where he met a colleague in a bar and after several drinks, took her home and spent the night. Later he began to loathe and despise the young woman. Looking at his own weakness was too difficult to manage. Esau’s attitude should have been loaded with shame and guilt for having been so careless.

Jacob could have acted toward his brother with love by giving him the soup. Esau might have responded by expressing his gratitude and appreciation for such a loving act. When you love, you give something of yourself, of what you possess, and you show what it means to be effective as a human being whom God has blessed. God commanded that we love one another. 

Giving the Best Gift

Jacob and Esau, although twin brothers, were not emotionally close nor were they good friends. Jacob was a quiet, observing person who stayed close to the tent. Esau was a skilled hunter, robust by nature, who took from each day what was available. Jacob planned, was ready and eager to use his wits to reach his objective.

Genesis 25:34 notes how Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew, but only after Esau agreed to trade his birthright for the stew. Why not give Esau the food with no strings attached? What kind of person takes advantage of his brother? For Jacob it was a deal too good to pass up, and besides, a good opportunity doesn’t come along every day.

Jacob didn’t love his brother enough to prevent this deplorable, manipulative act from taking place. He could have given Esau the food. Giving is an act of love and trust that strengthens the bond between the giver and the recipient. When you freely give, your competence to love others as God loves you is enhanced.