Chapters 36 and 37 are two accounts of the brothers Esau and Jacob, respectively. Their stories began back in Genesis 25:19, when they were conceived in their mother’s womb as twins. Esau was the firstborn son but sold his birthright to Jacob (25:34b). He preferred a bowl of lentil soup, which met his temporary needs, to his birthright. On the other hand, Jacob, a conniving man, robbed his older twin brother of his birthright—buying it when Esau was famished and later resorting to outright deception (Gen 27). Jacob’s methods were wrong.

The accounts of the twin brothers are different in that Jacob inherited God’s Abrahamic covenant blessing—and Esau didn’t. As God promised, Esau also grew in numbers and became the father of twelve rulers (17:20). But he did not have God’s covenant blessing as it was given to Jacob—to become a blessing to all peoples on earth (12:2-3). His descendants, the Edomites, remained on earth as enemies of God’s people (cf. Psalms 83:4-6).

In the end, God did not choose Jacob because he was perfect with great virtues. Rather, according to the author of Hebrews, superintended by the Holy Spirit, the blame was on Esau “...who for a single meal sold his inheritance right as the oldest son” (Heb 12:16b).
Application: Father, help me always remain in your covenant blessings despite myself. Amen.
One Word: Hold on to God’s covenant blessings