sibling rivalry

Good morning sisters and brothers,
In our Genesis readings we've been following the story of the fathers and mothers of Israel. Today we see that the family of our ancestors in the faith were pretty dysfunctional and that conflict within families is nothing new. Even when Rebekah was pregnant we see some foreshadowing that things won't be smooth because the babies "struggled" in her uterus. We get another hint when the text tells us that Isaac loved Esau but Rebekah loved Jacob. Our story ends with Jacob only giving his hungry brother food in exchange for his rights as the first-born son. Those of you who have read Genesis before know that this isn't the end of the conflict between the brothers, nor is it the end of Jacob's less than generous actions. This kind of story reminds me that God can work through all kinds of messed up people and situations. That comforts me because I know that God can work through us too, even when we're not perfect.

God bless,
Sam

Genesis 25:19-34

19These are the descendants of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham was the father of Isaac, 20and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, sister of Laban the Aramean. 21Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. 22The children struggled together within her; and she said, “If it is to be this way, why do I live?” So she went to inquire of the LORD. 23And the LORD said to her,
“Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples born of you shall be divided;
the one shall be stronger than the other,
the elder shall serve the younger.”

24When her time to give birth was at hand, there were twins in her womb. 25The first came out red, all his body like a hairy mantle; so they named him Esau. 26Afterward his brother came out, with his hand gripping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.



27When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. 28Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

29Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. 30Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stuff, for I am famished!” (Therefore he was called Edom.) 31Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.” 32Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” 33Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank, and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.