The Pulpit Commentary — Genesis — Section 385

Ver. 32.-Esau, the spiritually indifferent. "What profit shall the birthright do to me? " There was very much in Esau which would be greatly admired. He was of good humour, off-handed, manly, open, daring, and fond of field sports. He, and not Jacob, would in society have carried off the palm. He was a fair sample of a worldling. He knew nothing of the consecration of heart to God, or of spiritual aspirations. In the narrative we see how he showed indifference to the birthright, which carried with it certain spiritual advantages. He came in faint from the field, and the wafted odour of Jacob's savoury lentils filled him with longing. For a share in a mess of pottage he parted with his birthright. l. THE UNilENEWED HEART AI.WAYS UNDERVALUES MATERIAL, NATURAL, AND SPinl'l'UAI, DT.ESSINGS. We may enjoy all the blessings God may shower upon us and not think of them as coming from God. We undervalue the gift of life, and the various means by which God has arranged that life shall be sustained. 'i'hen we forget that God preserves to us reason and the power of acquiring knowledge, But there are spiritual advantages analogous to those which Esau despised which we may treat indiiferently. 1 . .Authority and honour as the firstborn. 2. .A. double portion of his father's possessions. 3. The privilege of the priesthood. Evidently the eldest son acted as the priest of the family in offering the sacrifices, and the priestly garb was kept for him. It was this that Rebekah had by her, and which she put on Jacob to deceive Isaac. 4. The peculiar biessing of his father, which was bestowed with solemnity. A covenant was ratified by eating, and hence Isaac sent out Esau .to prepare venison; but Rebekah forestalled him. 5. Inc) uded in that blessing of Isaac was the promise made by God to Abraham, and which was to he handed on from one generation to another. It was for this Jacob longed. He rightly appraised the spiritual advantages connected with it. Though there was much that was mean in his character at first, he had these spiritual desires and faith in God not possessed by his brother. These brothers were twins, yet how diverse their character. It may have been that Ja.cob, knowing he was of equal age, felt he had an equal right to be accounted the firstbom. This may be said by way of excuse for that which other- wise would appear outrageous and mean. Probably when Esau said he was "at the point of death " he only meant it in the same way that we say "we are dying of hunger." Jacob asked the transfer because he knew his brother cared little about it, and because ho may have heard him express his indifference to it. Jacob could not have t.aken it by violence, and Esau should have refu~ed the suggestion with al! OB. XXV 27-34.] THE BOOK OF GENESIS. 323