And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. Genesis 25:23

Genesis Chapter 25 is actually a busy chapter. We see Abraham has died  and gave everything to Isaac. We also see God blessed Isaac  (25:11) and not Ishmael, because remember Isaac was the promised Son from God, Ishmael was not

Isaacs wife Rebekah then conceived twins, they will be Jacob and Esau. This is where things get interesting as Esau is technically the firstborn however Jacob will get the blessing from his father

And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? Genesis 25:31-32

Jacob knowing that he wasn’t technically the firstborn, gets Esau to sell him his birthright. Now you could do all kind of sermons with this, such as is there anything that you are selling your birthright with God? Is there any sin in this world that is worth losing your soul over?

It says that “Esau despised his birthright” (Genesis 25:34) Esau never appreciated his position as being the firstborn to begin with, he had a heart issue. Much like the people who reject Christ, they don’t value their salvation, they don’t value their position with God

As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. Romans 9:13-15

As the Apostle Paul is teaching here, God is displaying his sovereignty and predestination, as Jacob he has chosen and Esau he didn’t. Just as Isaac was the chosen son and Ishmael wasn’t. Now there are factors that go into consideration, as God is the only one who can read hearts and minds.

However regardless of what our opinion, God is in complete control and we are not. As he told Moses, he will have mercy on who he wants , its not up to us. As we work through Genesis we will see how Gods plan plays out and leads us to the Messiah