PATCH

Even though she knows Jacob had a divine destiny, this does not excuse her actions. She did not trust in God's timing and she took matters into her own hands. I am amazed Sarah is her mother in law and not her mother. They made the same mistakes :-). The consequences of her one single action were many. For example - by deceiving her husband, she deceived her own son, Esau! She taught Jacob to deceive his own father. She also did not set a godly example for Jacob to trust God. Her actions caused a rift between her 2 sons. I think Jacob should bear the full responsibility. He was not a young child who had to be told what to do. He knew he was deceiving his dad with his actions but he was hesitant only for a moment. He was greedy for the blessing that was why he went along with Rebekah's plan.

Rebekah was, in a way, a spiritual woman. When she felt her babies jostling in her womb, she checked with God what was happening. Also, she took the Lord's answer seriously - she did not forget it even when her sons had grown up. Later she was instrumental in helping Jacob deceive Esau. How she helped Jacob was not at all spiritual. Isaac was a spiritual man. He prayed for Rebekah when she was barren. The Lord answered his prayers. He blessed his sons - he wanted to impart spiritual values on his sons. The question here is who is more spiritually SENSITIVE, not more spiritual. I struggle with the fact that Isaac was NOT spiritually sensitive enough to discern that he was blessing the wrong son! Then again, I have to recognise that he was blind and very old. I dont think I can say that rebekah is spiritually sensitive. If she were, she would not resort to such an underhanded way to deceive her own husband, help Jacob steal from Esau and cause a rift between the 2 brothers. She remembered the prophecy over her sons but like her mother in law, Sarah, she felt she "had to help God". Jacob understood the spiritual blessings attached to the birthright. He valued the prophecy that was spoken over his life. That was the evidence of Jacob's spirituality. Esau on the other hand was confused. At first, he despised his birthright and he sold it. When he found out he has lost it, he became devastated and he begged his father for another blessing. By asking for another blessing showed a hint of spirituality in Esau.

The birthright is the legal rights of the firstborn to a double portion of the inheritance. Obviously only one person in a family is entitled to the birthright and it is a priviledge to receive it. The NT condemns Esau for selling it because : 1) It shows he does not honour or value the birthright - it meant nothing to him or was of no or little significance 2) Bad enough he sold it, he got only a bowl of stew for it !!! Shows the value he attached to his birthright. 3) His flesh took control - in a weak moment he gave up something which was of utmost importance. When Esau sold his birthright he belittled it. He did not consider it valuable enough to keep it for himself or for his children. This transaction reveals a major weakness in Esau's character. He did not treasure what was most significant in his life and even in the lives of his descendents. Its like he gambled away their inheritance, when he faced temptation. He didnt care about his children and his childrens' future. Jacob, on the other hand, was devious and greedy. He moved with calculated precision when he saw that his brother was desperate and in need. He could easily have shared his stew with his brother. Instead he took away what was most important to his brother, elevating his own status and stripping his elder brother of his. His actions shows he would do whatever it takes to get what he wants.