Genesis 25:28-34
25:28 a The parents each practiced favoritism.• because: Isaac’s love for Esau was conditioned upon his son’s performance. Rebekah’s love for Jacob was constant and unconditional.
25:29 b Ironically, Jacob proved the more cunning hunter. The word cooking (Hebrew wayyazed, “boiling”) sounds like the word for “hunter” (Hebrew tsayid). While boiling stew, Jacob was laying a trap for the hairy red animal. He may have waited a long time for this opportunity. This word for “boil” was also used for presumptuous action (like water boiling over the rim of the pot). Jacob overstepped his boundaries when he seized the promise for himself. By contrast, Abraham knew the promise was his and was secure in giving the land away (see study note on 13:8-13).
• Esau was exhausted and hungry, but his life was not in danger (25:32 c; see study note on 25:33-34).
25:30 d Esau was preoccupied with his appetite. Being driven by one’s appetites leaves no place for spiritual values. The text emphasizes this by using a Hebrew word (translated give) that was normally used for feeding animals.
• Edom, which means “red”: See study note on 25:25.
Summary for Gen 25:31-33: 25:31-33 e Jacob was the better hunter on this occasion, but great danger lay in exercising such strong ambition. God’s people should desire the things of God, but they must not seek them in the flesh (see Zech 4:6 f; Gal 5:16-17 g; Eph 6:10-12 h). The Lord dealt severely with Jacob to purge him of carnal methods. He later received the promise not as crafty Jacob the usurper, but as Israel (meaning, “God fights”), with God fighting on his behalf (Gen 32:28 i).
Summary for Gen 25:33-34: 25:33-34 j Esau eagerly took Jacob’s bait and fell into the trap. He ate and left too quickly to have been near death (25:32 k). The final comment on the passage explains that Esau showed contempt for his birthright, considering it worthless (Heb 12:16 l). It is foolish to sacrifice spiritual blessings to satisfy physical appetites (cp. Gen 3:6 m).
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