The early 2000s were a treasure trove of television game shows. If you don’t already know this by heart, let me explain. (And if you do, you are my kind of people and can pass “Go” to collect $200.)
While I’ve always had infinite admiration for Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune, and my brother claimed he bonded best with our father over Family Feud, it was a blonde British woman named Anne Robinson who really raised the bar for game shows. Host of The Weakest Link, (which came aired at 4 pm, just in time for my elementary-school self to hop off the school bus and grab a cheese stick), Anne was known for her no-nonsense TV personality, and I adored her for it.
On the show, a team of contestants would take turns answering trivia questions with the goal of getting the most correct answers within a specific amount of time. When time was up, the team voted on the weakest link (a.k.a., the worst player in the game). Then it was time for the most memorable part of the show, when Anne would announce the loser by addressing the individual by name and proclaiming, “You are the weakest link. Goodbye.”
It’s easy to treat the story of Jacob and Esau like another episode of The Weakest Link. Which brother is doing the right thing? Who deserves favoritism? Who does God love more?
First, we have Esau, who sells his birthright to Jacob for stew. Then, we have Jacob, who steals the blessing that was rightfully Esau’s. If I were the judge, I’d conclude that they were both at fault. They’re both weak links.
Esau’s story is much like ours; he gave in to his fleshly desires and lost the most valuable thing in his possession. But he was also hurt and wronged by his own flesh and blood, his brother Jacob. It’s the oldest and truest story we know: Our flesh chose sin, and our hearts chose betrayal. Pain is a constant in our stories. We are the weakest links. And yet, God didn’t say goodbye to us in our weakness—far from it, actually. He did the exact opposite: He sent His Son to reverse the curse by bearing the weight of our sin, a burden that had rightfully been placed on us.
These stories in Genesis, set just after creation story and the Fall, and long before the birth of our Savior, show us how deeply we need redemption. We cannot be trusted with things of value like birthrights, brothers, or blessings. An intervention is necessary, and thanks be to God, an intervention is coming. But first, we must take this opportunity to realize our humanity, grieve our sin, and repent. We cannot proclaim His strength without first admitting our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
“And make sure that there isn’t any immoral or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for a single meal. For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, even though he sought it with tears, because he didn’t find any opportunity for repentance” (Hebrews 12:16–17).
Any average ruler (or game show, for that matter) would certainly have chosen for Esau, Jacob, you, and I to pack up our bags a very long time ago, at the onset of our failures. But because of Christ’s sacrifice, we are welcomed into eternity instead of turned away. What a prize indeed.
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24 thoughts on "Esau"
What a family ?!
Thank you Lord for your unfailing love. Thank you for redeeming us and our families. THANK YOU ! Guide us through our daily and mundane so we may not make the mistakes of our fathers before us.
God works everything for the good for those who love him.. I’m reminded that even in our mistakes and sin, God can order these for his glory and our good if we repent and love him.
I mess up so much. I wonder sometimes if there is a limit to his patience.
These stories are certainly “descriptive” rather than “prescriptive” — it’s so easy to judge Isaac, Rebekah, Esau and Jacob in these stories. Bad parenting, bad choices, bad reactions, and scratch our heads and wonder how God used any of them. But, where I’m at in mid-life now has me acknowledging that I, too, make different bad choices, different bad parenting, different bad reactions. As the commentator notes, and all the other ladies who replied acknowledge – but for God’s grace, none of us would have hope in life – because of God’s grace, He can use our lives (the good and bad) for His good and glory!
Help us when we are weak or sinful by lying and betraying others, Lord. Cover us in your mercy and grace. Amen ♡
Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness-without it no one will see the Lord.
We all have sinned Lord.
Not one of us is worthy.
BUT, You are.
AND YOU, sacrificed yourself for us.
May we pursue peace and holiness with all
as You have pursued us.
In reading additional Bible study tools on this story, it is amazing to step back and see that even though human beings are full of deceit and scandal in their lives, God’s plan will prevail in the end. This is true today as well when our lives are messy and often to the point of ruin, God is there with His promise of redemption and love to save us from ourselves by His grace through Jesus.
There is so much wrong going on in today’s account.
Isaac and Rebekah’s favoritism.
Esau’s disrespect for, and despising of, his birthright.
Esau unequally yoked to not one but two Hithite women.
Rebekah’s plot.
Rebekah and Jacob’s deception.
The lying.
Betrayal.
Jacob’s denial to his father of his true identity- a denial he makes three times (who does that remind us of?).
Esau’s threat of fratricide.
So very much wrong.
Yet, God’s promise and plan are not withdrawn nor negated. God’s grace is far greater, His mercies more plentiful, than all that we do wrong. We need only repent and He renders forgiveness and favor. How can we not fall to our knees in gratitude? How can we not pursue peace and holiness? We do not deserve His grace. He most certainly deserves our devotion.
Thanks!!
I love seeing your responses every day!!
Amen!
thanks for this!!!!
Just picturing me on that Cross. That’s who it should have been if it weren’t for His amazing love and sacrifice. He gives us access to our Holy God in this life, and eternal life in His Kingdom instead of torment, weeping, and gnashing of teeth. Beyond grateful. As Kaitlin said, what a prize. The best we could ever receive. May we not forget to give Him praise, honor, and glory due to His Name!