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Jacob is much maligned because of his negotiations with Esau which were determined to take place even from the womb according to the prophet Hoseah. Who then takes note of Jacobís standing with the Lord. In his spiritual life he had power or the ability to have authority with the Lord. Hos. 12:3 In giving him the name Jacob (usurper) at his birth, because he took hold of the heel of the first born Esau, He was unfairly stamped for life to be known as a heel grabber, or one who would take unreasonable advantage of others. Gen. 25:26 That heel grabbing action was an indication of what was to take place in their lifeís in the future.
When is a deal a fair deal? The documentation given in the scriptures indicates a legitimate, legal and fair transaction taking place between Jacob and Esau. Esau was a man without a vision. He placed no worth on his right as the firstborn. As a matter of fact the record which we have before us stated that he despised, that is, placed no value on his birthright. Gen. 25:34.
In his sight the future of the birthright had no appeal nor importance to him. He was completely void of spiritual knowledge. Gen. 25:32 That this is true is also evident in the extremely cheap price for which he sold his birthright to Jacob. Esau had no concept of its value for the future. He was willing to immediately settle the price, without negotiating a better price, to satisfy the instant need of the natural man. Jacob was wise enough to seek to purchase it, mind you, he purchased the birthright. That is a key to the whole controversy as to whether or not Jacob was guilty of a gross transgression. He paid the full price agreed upon by Esau.
As usual, mankind places the cart before the horse. Consider what the scriptures have to say about Esau and his part in this transaction. Through bitterness caused by the hatred he held against Jacob he is one who could have failed of the grace of the Lord. Heb. 12:15 His attitude toward the birthright was but the beginning of the type of life that he was to live. The declaration of the writer of the book of Hebrews spares him no mercy for he is called a fornicator (pornos), obviously a word from which we derive the word porno or pornographer. It is translated by Strongís Word Dictionary with the connotation indicating a male prostitute. Then he is called a profane person, one who has crossed over the threshold. Heb. 12:16 This verse translated by the NIV makes him to be ìone who is sexually immoral, or is godless.î That which he sold for a mess of lintels had far greater implication than appeared on the surface. Because of the attitude of heart it involved the eternal destiny of Esau.