Genesis 25:33

Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.

We are all familiar with the narrative of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob. By birthright, the firstborn would inherit the authority or leadership of the family. The book of Genesis talks about the conflict between the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. The conflict was caused by the love they had for their favorite child. Issac loved Esau and Rebekah loved Jacob.

Both Jacob and Esau had very different personalities. Esau was a skillful hunter while Jacob stayed at home. One day after a long day in the fields, Esau returned home and begged Jacob to give him a bowl of stew. Jacob offered to give Esau the stew in exchange for his birthright because, in his mind, according to the prophecy, the older would serve the younger; and Esau agreed. Jacob was trying to secure his position as the one who would inherit the highest place in the family.

Like Jacob, many of us have felt like we deserve God’s blessings, and maybe we try to solidify it somehow or justify it. God’s blessings cannot be bought or earned. We can only receive what he is giving us through our faith. All the blessings and good things come from God, and every good thing we do is because God enables us. He blesses us according to our needs, not to our wants or efforts. 

Scripture foresaw the God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. - Galatians 3:8-9