“What is implied by the phrase ‘the elder shall serve the younger’?”

As Isaac and Rebekah struggled to become pregnant, God intervened. During the pregnancy there was a struggle in the womb, and “When she went to inquire about this from the Lord, she received a prediction from Him: Two nations, that is, twin progenitors of two nations, were struggling in her womb and the younger would triumph. Indeed the Israelites (Jacob’s descendants) and the Edomites (Esau’s descendants) fought continuously. God’s election of Jacob the younger over Esau the older was against the natural order.

[1] Ancient Near Eastern customs for a family with multiple sons, would be once the father has passed away the eldest would take over the lead position in the family, physically and spiritually and he would get a double portion of the inheritance. Though, this is not the case, which is found in Genesis 25:23. Even though this is contrary to customs and traditions, God transcends all customs and traditions.

[2] Later, once Jacob and Rebekah started to deceive and connive it would seem that they had forgotten God’s word. “Jacob was doing all this in spite of the fact that God had already told Rebekah that the birthright belonged to him, Genesis 25:23, ‘And the Lord said to her,

“Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.’ Surely she had told him, since she so obviously favored him.”[3] It would do us all well to remember not to rush God’s timing or to work ahead of Him. God never fails on his Word!

This is an interesting pattern that comes up in Scripture a number of times. The first-born son loses his birthright to a younger brother in a number of instances:

Cain loses his birthright to Seth
Ishmael to Isaac
Esau to Jacob
Reuben to Judah
Manasseh to Ephraim

and so on.

Sometimes it is for obvious reasons, as Cain murdering his brother, Ishmael being the son of a slave woman, or Reuben defiling his father’s concubine. Other times it seemed arbitrary, as in the case of Manasseh and Ephraim. Wiser persons than I may have theories as to WHY, but I just know in my heart that God chose the right person to carry the torch, as it were.

He knows what He is doing! :-)

Later, once Jacob and Rebekah started to deceive and connive it would seem that they had forgotten God’s word.

Rather, it seems the author has forgotten God’s word, maligning those whom God loves, Rebekah and Jacob in favor of him whom God hated, Esau. God revealed His will to the mother, and she told the son to obey her. It was Esau who was the threat; Rebekah and Jacob saved Isaac from the error of supplanting Israel and the Holy One of Israel.

And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the LORD.
And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

...

And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.

...

And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.

...

The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi.
I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the Lord: yet I loved Jacob,
And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.

...

And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

...

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
Genesis, Catholic chapter twenty five, Protestant verses twenty one to twenty three,
Genesis, Catholic chapter twenty five, Protestant verse twenty eight,
Genesis, Catholic chapter twenty seven, Protestant verse thirteen,
Malachi, Catholic chapter one, Protestant verses one to three,
Romans, Catholic chapter nine, Protestant verses ten to fourteen,
Hebrews, Catholic chapter eleven, Protestant verse twenty,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James

We immediately learn from these verses that Esav and Yaakov were already contending with each other in the womb. Their personalities were present and their destinies were spoken. So, (#1) - They are people; they are human beings whom God himself knows by name. Killing them is murder. (#2) - They will be the progenitors of mighty nations. When you kill, when you abort Jacob in the womb you have killed his progeny.....the tribes of Israel! You’ve killed Moses, Aaron, Miriam, Ruth, Esther, all the prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, etc., the Kings - David, Solomon,Joachim, Joachim, Hezekiah and all the rest; John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles. All gone! Hence, no Western Civilization, and no hope for humanity. When you kill a child, you destroy an entire world. It is a crime of epic proportions. Don’t do it.

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