In the Old Testament, Jacob and Esau act as symbols (Malachi 1:2-4). Jacob is a symbol of God’s chosen people. God changed his name to ‘Israel’ and thus the nation got its name from him. Esau, from whom the Edomites came, becomes a symbol of those who make themselves enemies of God’s people (see Psalm 137:7). This enmity is already at work here between the two brothers. Esau has his heart set on killing Jacob because Jacob had taken the blessing that Esau rightfully deserved. This enmity between the brothers is itself indicative of the enmity that God promised between the seed of the woman and that of the serpent in Genesis 3:15. Esau’s grievance is understandable and yet we are meant to understand something more important from this story. God’s blessing is not passed on as a natural right. It is bestowed by grace. The enmity shown by Esau to Jacob here in Genesis 27 is similar to the hostility that the elder brother showed to the prodigal son in Jesus’ parable (Luke 15:11-32). He was furious that the father was being so generous to one so undeserving. God’s grace means that undeserving people get blessed. But it also means that others will become resentful. Christians are regularly denounced as hypocrites by people who misunderstand why we count ourselves blessed. If we take the moral high ground and act self-righteously, then, yes, we would be hypocrites. But we are not blessed because we are without sin. We are blessed despite our sinfulness. The good news is that Jacob’s blessing is available to all through Christ.
Thank God for his grace and goodness to you.
Read Genesis 27:41 to 28:9
