Esau was a son of Isaac and Rebekah and the twin brother of Jacob [Israel]. Most of the biblical/scriptural narratives about Esau draw a great contrast between him and his brother, Jacob. Esau was a hunter and outdoor man who was favored by his father, Isaac, while Jacob was not an outdoors type and was favored by his mother, Rebekah. Esau is also known as Edom. Esau was the ancestor of the Edomites. - Gen. 25:19-28; Deut. 2:1-13 -

Even though Esau was a twin, Esau was considered the eldest son because he was born first. By Old Testament custom, Esau would have inherited most of his father's property and the right to succeed him as family patriarch. But in a foolish, impulsive moment, Esau sold his "Birth Right" to his younger brother, Jacob, in exchange for a meal. This determined that Jacob [Israel] would carry on the family name in a direct line of descent from Abraham and Isaac, his grand father and father. - Gen. 25:29-34 -

The loss of Esau's rights as first-born is further revealed in Genesis chapter 27. In this account, Jacob deceived his blind father, Isaac, by disguising himself as Esau in order to receive his father's blessing. Esau was so enraged by his brother's actions that he determined to kill him once his father died. But Jacob fled to his uncle Laban in Haran and remained there for 20 years. Upon Jacob's return to Canaan, Esau forgave his brother's and set aside their old feuds. - Gen. 32:1 to 33:20 -

Years later, the two brothers, Esau and Jacob, together buried their father in the cave at Machpelah without a trace of their old hostilities. Isaac was one hundred and eighty years old when he breathed his last. - Gen. 35:27-29 -

Esau in many ways was more honest and dependable than his scheming brother, Jacob. But Esau sinned greatly by treating his "Birth Right" so casually and selling it for a meal. To the ancient Hebrews, one's birthright actually represented a high spiritual value. That is, the oldest son, Esau was responsible to serve as a priest to the rest of his family by encouraging worship of the one true God. But Esau did not have the faith and farsightedness to accept this privilege and responsibility. Thus, the right passed by default to his younger brother, Jacob [Israel].

Jacob was a son of Isaac and Rebekah and the twin brother of Esau. Jacob was also known as Israel.

Jacob was alone and there was one that wrestled with him until daybreak who seeing that he could not master him, struck him in the socket of his hip, and Jacob's hip was dislocated as he wrestled with God. He said, 'Let me go, for day is breaking.' But Jacob answered, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.' He then asked, 'What is your name?' 'Jacob' he replied. He said, 'Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have been strong against God, you shall prevail against men.' Jacob, then made this request, 'I beg you, tell me your name' but God replied, 'Why do you ask my name?' And God blessed Jacob/Israel there.

Jacob named the place Peniel, 'Because I have seen God face to face' he said, 'and I have survived.' The sun rose as he left Peniel, limping because of his hip. That is the reason why to this day the Israelites do not eat the sciatic nerve which is in the socket of the hip; because God had struck Jacob in the socket of the hip on the sciatic nerve. - Gen. 32:23-33 -

Jacob was born in answer to his father's prayer - Gen. 25:19-28 - "Isaac prayed to Yahweh on behalf of his wife, for she was barren. Yahweh heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. But the children struggled with one another inside her, and she said, 'If this is the way of it, why go on living?' So she went to consult Yahweh, and He said to her:

"There are two nations in your womb,
your issue will be two rival peoples.
One nation shall have the mastery of the other,
and the elder shall serve the younger."

But Jacob became the favorite son of his mother, Rebekah. He was nicknamed Jacob because at the birth of the twins, "his hand took hold of Esau's heel". According to the accounts in the Book of Genesis, Jacob continued to "take hold of" the possessions of others, that is, his brother's Esau birthright, his father's blessing, and his father-in-law's flocks and herds. - Gen. 25:29-34; 27:1-29; 30:25-43; 31:1 -

The pattern of Jacob's life is found in his journeys, much like the travels of his grandfather "Abraham". Leaving his home in Beersheba, he traveled to Bethel; later he returned to Shechem, Bethel and Hebron. At Shechem and Bethel he built altars, as Abraham had done. - Gen. 12:6-7; 12:8 - Near the end of his life Jacob migrated to Egypt; he died there at advanced age. - Gen. 28-35, 46-49 - The most dramatic moments in Jacob's life occurred at Bethel, at the ford of the River Jabbok, and on his deathbed.

In these few instances, a deep spiritual sensitivity is evident in Jacob. He appears outwardly brash and grasping, always enriching himself and securing his future. Jacob also proved to be a man of his words in his dealings with Laban, and in the fulfillment of his vow to return to Bethel.

At the end of his life, Jacob - now an aged man - gathered his 12 sons about his bed to tell them what should befall them "in the last days." Jacob addressed his sons in the order of their birth. - Gen. 49-50 -

The harshest language came against Reuben, the firstborn, who was rejected by his father for his sin, and Simeon and Levi, who were cursed for their anger and cruelty. The loftiest language was applied to Judah, who would be praised by his brothers and whose tribe would be the source of royalty, even the ruler of the people. Words of warning were addressed to Dan, called "a serpent" and "a viper" a life which would be marked by violence. The longest speech was addressed to Joseph, Jacob's favorite son.

Following this scene, Jacob died and was embalmed by the physicians. By his own request Jacob was carried back to the land of Canaan and was buried in the family burial ground in the cave of the field of Machpelah.

The six wives of Esau........Edomites.......Jacob Testament.......

                                                          Page 3
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -