Sold His Birthright
Click here for the audio version
Among the ancients, it was not unusual for a man’s name to be descriptive of him. Such was the case with Esau, the elder twin brother of Jacob. “Esau” translates as “hairy” and is descriptive of his appearance at birth. However, Esau had also a red appearance as a newborn. In addition, it was for red pottage that he sold his birthright to his younger brother, Jacob, and became known as “Edom,” which translates as “red.” Though Esau willingly agreed to trade away his rights as the eldest son for red lentils to eat, he later vowed vengeance on his brother Jacob. From Esau would descend the Edomites, whose relationship with the Israelite descendants of Jacob would never be cordial. What is worse than being known by one’s names as “red and hairy” is to be remembered as Esau is at the Twelfth of Hebrews: a profane person who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
Written and voiced by David Hayes Prophater