52
The destiny of the twins born by Rebecca were revealed to her by the Lord prior to their birth when she inquired of Him concerning the conflict which had already begun. Gen. 25:22 The Lord showed her that the elder, the firstborn would be in servitude to the younger. Also that the two boys would grow and be the progenitors of two distinct nations. The one would be the stronger and dominate. Gen. 25:23 At the time of their birth, because Esau was red, they gave him the surname of Edom. Gen. 25:25 He is eventually identified by the scriptures as bearing both names, Esau is Edom. Gen. 36:8
He is also declared to be the father of the Edomites. Gen. 36:9
Most unfortunately for Esau because of his attitude toward his brother and the birthright. Plus, his persistent antagonism in regard to Jacob the Lord expressed a hatred toward him. Rom. 9:13 That the hand of the Lord was frequently manifest against them as Esau/Edom is evidenced in the scriptures. They are used as a type of that which is of this world, worldly, of the flesh and definitely not of the spirit. However, in this dispensation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ the Old Testament economy is done away with. Now the call for salvation has gone out to all the peoples of the earth. The mercy and grace of the salvation which is found alone in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is made available to all, regardless of their genealogy.
In Christ the whole of mankind has been called. Rom. 9:24-26
With the birthright there was also to be imparted the blessing of the Lord given to Abraham. Isaac was now old and the time of imparting the blessing had come. Rebecca was determined that Jacob would receive the blessing of Isaac. Her method can hardly be condoned as an act of righteousness. Yet, the blessing must remain with the birthright. Gen. 27:9-30 In the midst of this transaction there is a statement made by Isaac that causes me to wonder as to how much he was deceived by the actions of Rebecca and Jacob. He made note that though all the signs of this person before him were that of Esau, yet the voice was that of Jacob. Gen. 27:22 It is difficult to believe that in all of this complicity of Rebecca and Jacob, Isaac was completely ignorant of their actions. The transaction carried out whereby the blessing was united with the birthright was in the will and purpose of the Lord. Remember the Lord had told Rebecca that the elder, Esau would serve the younger, Jacob. He had to know that the blessing and the birthright could not be separated. Once he had laid hands on and imparted the blessing it could not be revoked. That which had been passed on in the blessing to the next generation would be totally fulfilled. One way or another, Jacob was to possess both the birthright and the blessing.