What does Genesis 25:31 Mean?

Study Notes

birthright
The "birthright" had three elements:

(1) Until the establishment of the Aaronic priesthood the head of the family exercised priestly rights.

(2) The Abrahamic family held the Edenic promise of the Satan-Bruiser Genesis 3:15 . --Abel, Seth, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Esau.

(3) Esau, as the firstborn, was in the direct line of the Abrahamic promise of the Earth-Blesser Genesis 12:3 .

For all that was revealed, in Esau might have fulfilled those two great Messianic promises. This birthright Esau sold for a momentary fleshly gratification. Jacob's conception of the birthright at that time was, doubtless, carnal and inadequate, but his desire for it evidenced true faith.

Context Summary

In the thought of that age, the birthright carried with it the spiritual leadership of the tribe. To be the priest of the family, to stand between the Most High and the rest of the household, to receive divine communications and execute the divine will, and to be in the direct line of the Messiah-such were some of the privileges that gathered around this position. They were nought in Esau's estimation, and he was quite content to part with all they implied, if only he might have the immediate gratification of appetite. The steaming fragrance of the lentil pottage was sweet in the nostrils of the hungry hunter. We have all passed through such an experience. On the one hand, our self-respect, our true advantage, our God; on the other, passionate desire crying, "Give, give." In days and hours like that, beware: for you may say a word or do an act that shall determine your future, and, like Esau, you will find no loophole for altering the cast of the die. See Hebrews 12:16. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 25

¹  The sons of Abraham by Keturah
⁵  The division of his goods
⁷  His age, death, and burial
¹¹  God blesses Isaac
¹²  The generations of Ishmael
¹⁷  His age and death
¹⁹  Isaac prays for Rebekah, being barren
²²  The children strive in her womb
²⁴  The birth of Esau and Jacob
²⁷  Their different characters and pursuits
²⁹  Esau sells his birthright