Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stuff, for I am famished!” (Therefore he was called Edom.) Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.”
NL Daily Devotion for Friday, September 24, 2021
by Daniel D. Maurer, Clergy Stuff
I’ve heard some commentators state that this story is the Old Testament’s version of a “trickster” story.
However you end up qualifying it, it just seems mean! Here Esau storms in from a hard hunt and he’s absolutely ravished for food. Jacob, the clever one—also a mama’s boy—says that he’d happily share his stew with him, if Esau only sell him his birthright. (As if it’s his to give.)
Jacob wins.
Isn’t it funny that this is even included in the Bible? Personally, I think it’s wonderful, but you have to admit—Jacob was just flat out mean for doing this. Unethical, by any stretch of the imagination, at least!
Yet, we find, once again, that the line of Jesus came through this sneaky kid’s outmaneuvering of his elder brother. What does it mean about God?
I don’t have any easy answers than to say that people are gonna be people, and that God is still willing to work with us.
That, and that our tired-old morality plays don’t necessarily tell the whole truth.
I mean, scripture itself seems to attest to this!
What’s your take on this story? What’s God trying to say?