Esau was a cunning hunter, a barbecue pitmaster, his father’s pride and joy, and a man who could get things done. He saw himself as a winner, was powerful and strong.

Jacob was a plain man, dwelt in the tents, and was an accomplished chef, administrator, and an excellent marketer.

Though they were brothers, and were very skilled in their vocations, their rivalry was one of the bitterest this world has ever seen. This rivalry would see Jacob deceiving their father Isaac, and swindling Esau in an underhanded trade agreement over lunch. And this rivalry would see Esau set out to murder Jacob in revenge for his antics.

In Genesis 25:27-34, Esau returns home after a day in the fields. Esau, the older brother, holds the birthright to his father’s estate by default. Being the holder of the birthright, the assumption is that he would also inherit the promises God made to Abraham, which had in turn been handed down to Isaac.

Jacob, the younger brother, knew that God’s promise would be handed down to him. This was a promise God made to Rebekah, his mother. Jacob understood that God’s favor and blessing was upon him, but for some reason, Jacob still felt that he had to be the one to make things happen.

So, when an exhausted Esau returns home after a tough day in the field, Jacob saw an opportunity. This occasion would see Esau denounce his birthright and God’s blessing, and would see Jacob put forth a dubious sales pitch in order to scam Esau out of the birthright.

Listen to The Gospel Expedition’s Episode 25, “Selling the Birthright,” on YouTube or Soundcloud.