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Jacob and Esau provide a very interesting type of that which will occur in the end of the age, and prior to the coming of the Lord Jesus. They were born of Isaac (laughter) and Rebekah (a noose). Neither name seems to be very complementary, yet they are significant. Isaac was named after the laughter of Sarah when she heard the pronouncement of the Lord that she was to give birth. It was laughter of unbelief and derision that one of her advanced age would give birth, but she did. For the Lord changed her name by taking the letter H from His own name JHVH and inserting it in hers. The same was true of Abram, who became Abraham. Life, renewal was imparted to them through the addition of the letter H, the eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Eight is the number of resurrection and new life. Rebekah was to be a noose around the neck of Isaac, because of her extreme beauty. She was looked upon and desired by others. Gen. 20:2
From this most unlikely couple was to be born twins who are seen as direct opposites. Esau, the first born, wild and wooly, a man of the desert and woods. Jacob, calm and a herdsman, a man of the meadow and field. The right of the first-born and its benefits is the heart and crux of the story of these twin brothers. The first-born in Israel was given the right of being the priest of the family. However, there is a change made, where because of sin, the right was moved to another. Such as from Ruben, the first-born to Levi was given the priesthood. Num. 3:12 To the first-born was to be given a double portion of the inheritance. Deut. 21:17 This too was taken from Ruben and given to Joseph. 1 Chron. 5:1 The right of leadership was also found in the inheritance of the first born. Jehoram (meaning, Jehovah-exalted) became King by virtue of being the first-born. 2 Chron. 21:3 The twins were well aware of the rights and privileges of the first-born. This we must keep in mind when accusing Jacob of stealing the first-born rights from Esau. There is a trend emerging from the transfer of these rights and privileges which has a great impact on that which will be transformed in the end of the age.
Jesus spoke of a transfer of the kingdom of God from one segment of society to another. There is absolutely no question to whom He addressed these words for He was in Jerusalem and in the temple when He was confronted and was answering their questions. The more they argued with Him the greater their conviction. Then plainly He stated in no uncertain terms that the rights of the first-born, the kingdom of God, were to be removed from them and given to another. All rights and privileges were to be transmitted to a nation of people who would conduct their life after the will and purpose of the Lord. Mt. 21:43.