The Number One Son

There is within our culture a kneejerk reaction to favoritism. As Americans, we instinctively respond to unfairness with repulsion and contempt. We want people to have an equal chance in all things -- this is what the American Way is all about, right? Everyone should have the possibility of being anything they desire, to attain whatever goal he or she sets their eyes on, right? For example, we are told that, if certain conditions are met (like citizenship and being at least 35 years old), anyone could become President of the United States. This sounds great, and we Americans like the idea that anyone, anyone at all, could rise to the highest office in the land if they would only work hard enough. Sounds great. But the reality is, that for most people, there is actually zero chance of them becoming President of the United States. Take a look at who has already been there: where did they all go to college? What kind of career did they choose before going into politics? What income level did they have prior to taking office? I can tell you that the vast majority of all the Presidents went to Ivy League schools, were lawyers or CEOs prior to politics, and made a boatload of money prior to taking office. What does this mean for you and me? It means that Joe the Plumber will never be President, regardless of our high and lofty ideals regarding who can try for it. Favoritism is still part of our culture, even though we rail against it out loud.


Genesis 27:1-30
"When Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he could no longer see, he called for Esau his older son and said to him, "My son." "Here I am," he answered. 2 Isaac said, "I am now an old man and don't know the day of my death. 3 Now then, get your weapons — your quiver and bow — and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me. 4 Prepare me the kind of tasty food I like and bring it to me to eat, so that I may give you my blessing before I die." 5 Now Rebekah was listening as Isaac spoke to his son Esau. When Esau left for the open country to hunt game and bring it back, 6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, "Look, I overheard your father say to your brother Esau, 7 'Bring me some game and prepare me some tasty food to eat, so that I may give you my blessing in the presence of the Lord before I die.' 8 Now, my son, listen carefully and do what I tell you: 9 Go out to the flock and bring me two choice young goats, so I can prepare some tasty food for your father, just the way he likes it. 10 Then take it to your father to eat, so that he may give you his blessing before he dies." 11 Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, "But my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I'm a man with smooth skin. 12 What if my father touches me? I would appear to be tricking him and would bring down a curse on myself rather than a blessing." 13 His mother said to him, "My son, let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say; go and get them for me." 14 So he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and she prepared some tasty food, just the way his father liked it. 15 Then Rebekah took the best clothes of Esau her older son, which she had in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob. 16 She also covered his hands and the smooth part of his neck with the goatskins. 17 Then she handed to her son Jacob the tasty food and the bread she had made. 18 He went to his father and said, "My father." "Yes, my son," he answered. "Who is it?" 19 Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game so that you may give me your blessing." 20 Isaac asked his son, "How did you find it so quickly, my son?" "The Lord your God gave me success," he replied. 21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, "Come near so I can touch you, my son, to know whether you really are my son Esau or not." 22 Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, "The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau." 23 He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he blessed him. 24 "Are you really my son Esau?" he asked. "I am," he replied. 25 Then he said, "My son, bring me some of your game to eat, so that I may give you my blessing." Jacob brought it to him and he ate; and he brought some wine and he drank. 26 Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come here, my son, and kiss me." 27 So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said, Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the Lord has blessed. 28 May God give you of heaven's dew and of earth's richness — an abundance of grain and new wine. 29 May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed." 30 After Isaac finished blessing him and Jacob had scarcely left his father's presence, his brother Esau came in from hunting."

Isaac had never been quiet about his preference for Esau. Even though Esau and Jacob were fraternal twins, born on the same day, Isaac preferred Esau because he was technically the first born. Esau was also like his father in character and personality, and his likes and dislikes. Jacob was the favorite of his mother, having things in common with her. But its easy to read between the lines and see that Jacob was very bitter and resented his brother and his father for being left out. And so Jacob carried out his deceitful revenge.