Why Christians Should Bless Israel!
the Rabbi looks at...
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein’s Biblical Teaching on Modern Day Issues—
The Birthright
of Israel!
T
he Bible calls us to “lift up a banner . . . [and] station the watchmen” on behalf
of Israel (Jeremiah 51:12). It is our hope and prayer that caring churches and
congregations like yours will assist The Fellowship as we spiritually join
together hand-in-hand to minister to Israel and her people in need.
1. G
od’s Word promises a true blessing to those who bless the Jews, the descendants
of Abraham (Genesis 12:3).
2. We are invited in Scripture to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6).
3. Israel’s enemies remain dedicated to her total annihilation (Psalm 17:8–9).
4. T
he very lives of thousands of innocent Israelis have been shattered by antiSemitism, terror attacks, and the effects of devastating poverty (Joshua 1:14–15).
5. I srael’s leaders worldwide need wisdom from God as they face the challenges of
guiding the nation during these critical times in an attempt to achieve peace and
care for all of her people (Psalm 125:5; Isaiah 55:12).
“The Lord remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless the house of Israel . . .”
Psalm 115:12
Students of the Bible will no doubt recognize the subject of this study
as that portion of Esau’s inheritance which he readily sold to his
twin brother Jacob in a well-known story from Genesis.
The Birthright
E
sau’s birthright was, as the name
implies, a blessing conferred
upon him as the firstborn of the
twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. But
Esau allowed his hunger to overcome
his good sense:
“Once when Jacob was cooking
some stew, Esau came in from the
open country, famished. He said
to Jacob, ‘Quick, let me have some
of that red stew! I’m famished!’
(That is why he was also called
Edom.) Jacob replied, ‘First sell me
your birthright.’ ‘Look, I am about
to die,’ Esau said. ‘What good is the
birthright to me?’ But Jacob said,
‘Swear to me first.’ So he swore an
oath to him, selling his birthright to
Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some
bread and some lentil stew. He
ate and drank, and then got up
and left. So Esau despised his
birthright” (Genesis 25:29–34).
Favored Position
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 4300
Chicago, IL 60602-2584
[email protected] • ifcj.org • 800-486-8844
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, Founder and President
There are differences of opinion
about all that the bechorah, or
“birthright,” consisted of. But there is
no disagreement that it was a favored
position. The birthright’s provisions
included a double portion of the father’s
estate (Deuteronomy 21:17). There was
also considerable authority attached
Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for some stew.
(Continued inside)
The Birthright of Israel!
to the birthright, since the firstborn son
Talmudic and rabbinic law, and customs
became the head of his family.
and traditions. This provision stated
Perhaps even more important, the
that for the purposes of the birthright,
firstborn son was in line for his father’s
the firstborn son is the firstborn of his
blessing, which
father, whether or not he
placed him in a close
is also the firstborn son
and favored covenantof his mother.
relationship with God
Given the fact that
(see Exodus 22:29
the birthright was
where God says
specifically designed
the firstborn sons
for the eldest son, we
of Israel are His).
observe in Scripture
Some also believe the
an interesting reversal
birthright included
in the actual bestowal
the right to function
of this blessing. This
as the family priest
reversal came about
Isaac Blessing Jacob with the birthright.
in the days before the
in Esau’s generation
Torah (Law) was given and neither the
through his own decision to sell his
Tabernacle nor the Temple existed.
birthright to Jacob.
But in Jacob’s family, the decision
Family Treasures
to
bless
a younger child in place of the
Later Jewish tradition sought to further
firstborn was made by the father and
clarify the nature of the birthright. Thus
grandfather—Jacob himself—without his
it specified that the right of the firstborn:
son involved in any part of the choice.
1) applied to that son only, and not to the
eldest surviving son or to daughters;
Favored Blessing
2) applied only to the father’s estate and
Thus Jacob blessed his grandson
not to any inheritance left by a mother or
Ephraim ahead of Manasseh, who
other relative; and (3) did not apply to any
was Joseph’s firstborn (Genesis
improvements or accessions made to an
48). And in Genesis 49, Jacob
estate after the father’s death.
followed the same pattern with
Another clarification is found in the
his own sons.
Halacha, the collected body of Jewish
His firstborn, Reuben, was passed
religious law including biblical law, later over for the patriarchal blessing in favor
of Joseph because of Reuben’s immoral
act (1 Chronicles 5:1).
Spiritual Reward
nature. Jacob’s shrewdness in taking
advantage of his brother’s hunger may or
All of these observations reveal that the
may not be commendable, but there is no
birthright was to be far more than just a
question that Jacob was more spiritually
material inheritance. It was a spiritual
sensitive and attuned than his older twin.
reward and blessing of great value—far
too great to be traded by Esau for a bowl of Israel as Firstborn
stew that momentarily satisfied his hunger. It may be of special interest to Christians
This story in Genesis 25 tells us much in pointing out that God Himself calls
the nation of Israel “my firstborn son”
about the nature of both Esau and Jacob.
(Exodus 4:22). Some Jewish teachers say
First, we see Esau’s willingness to trade
this reference validates
a spiritual inheritance
“I will bless those
God’s bestowal of the
of immeasurable value
who bless you.”
Holy Land upon Israel as
to satisfy his physical
Genesis 12:3
her rightful inheritance,
appetite. It is generally
along with His blessing.
recognized that this was a
God’s bestowal of
profane act in which Esau
this inheritance and
“despised his birthright”
blessing upon His people,
(Genesis 25:34).
Israel, has never been
In Christian tradition,
canceled or rescinded,
Esau is referred to as
but is eternal.
a profane or
This means
godless person
for doing this (Hebrews 12:16). Christians who obey the biblical mandate
to bless the descendants of Abraham
A second observation on
(Genesis 12:3) are in truth helping
this story concerns the nature
Israel realize her rightful inheritance
of Jacob.
from God!
Although he was a schemer
This is why The Fellowship feels so
and deceiver, Jacob did not
privileged and honored to be entrusted
deceive Esau in this instance.
with the ministry God has given us to
The offer was made openly, and
provide Christians with tangible
Esau could have declined.
opportunities to bless Israel and the
The important thing to note is
Jacob’s hunger for spiritual blessings, Jewish people.
Shalom! ■
as opposed to Esau’s more sensual