Birthrights and Blessings
Here is a summary of how Ya’akov, the second born son, ended up with both the birthright and blessing of the firstborn.
“29 Once when Yaakov was cooking stew, Asav came in from the field, and he was exhausted. 30 And Asav said to Yaakov, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) 31 Yaakov said, “Sell me your birthright now.” 32 Asav said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” 33 Yaakov said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Yaakov. 34 Then Yaakov gave Asav bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Asav despised his birthright.”
In the book of Hebrews, Shaul refers to Asav’s decision to give up his birthright:
“14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see Avinu: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of Avinu; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Asav, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.” (Heb 12:14-17 NKJV)
27:1-17 Yitzchak, age 123 years old, calls Asav, 63 years old, and asks him to bring him some venison so Yitzchak can bless him; The blessing is different than the birth rite; Rivkah hears Yitzchak directing Asav to prepare some venison so Yitzaak can bestow the “Blessing of the Firstborn” on him. and calls Ya’akov to deceive his blind father;
“27:1 When Yitzaak was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Asav his older son and said to him, “My son”; and he answered, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Behold, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me, 4 and prepare for me delicious food, such as I love, and bring it to me so that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.” 5 Now Rivkah was listening when Yitzaak spoke to his son Asav. So when Asav went to the field to hunt for game and bring it, Rivkah said to her son Yaakov, “I heard your father speak to your brother Asav, 7 ’Bring me game and prepare for me delicious food, that I may eat it and bless you before Avinu before I die.’ 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice as I command you. 9 Go to the flock and bring me two good young goats, so that I may prepare from them delicious food for your father, such as he loves. 10 And you shall bring it to your father to eat, so that he may bless you before he dies.”
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