Genesis 25:24–28 (ESV)
The Birth of Esau and Jacob
24 When
her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau. 26 Afterward
his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.
27 When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man
of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
God’s
ways are not our ways. The Lord chooses to give His special blessing to Jacob, who does not deserve this gift either by birth order or by virtue. When we come before God on the basis of rights, claims, and human justice, we fall into the mind-set of Isaac,
who wrongfully favored his firstborn, Esau, despite God’s promise concerning Jacob. Thankfully, God does not deal with us on the basis of what we deserve for our sin. He chose us from eternity to be His people. Christ bore all our deserved punishment
on the cross.
I pray: We thank You, Lord Jesus, that Your ways are not our ways. You have given us undeserved pardon and peace in Your cross. Amen.
Engelbrecht, E. A. (2009). The Lutheran Study Bible (p. 53). St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House.