# 236 The Supplanter

The Book of Genesis

Day 236

Ge 25:24 So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb.  25 And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau.  26 Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau's heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

So the twins are born. Esau, the first one out of the womb and immediately named in accordance with his physical appearance. He was ruddy even as a newborn child! Red and hairy, his parents name him Esau which means “rough.”

But what’s this? The next guy out grabs the heel of Esau as if to say, “Not so fast buddy, I’m gonna have the role of first born here!” This is so strange! A little infant putting his perfectly formed little fingers around his brother’s tiny heel at birth!  In Hosea 12:3, we read that he actually grabbed his brother by the heel while he was still in the womb, and that’s the way he came out into the world! So his parents gave him the name “Jacob” which means “one who takes the heel,” or “supplanter.” To supplant is to overthrow by tripping up, and that’s exactly what Jacob would do later in life as he trips up Esau and Isaac in order to get the birthright and blessing which was due the firstborn!

Esau, who would become the father of the Edomites, would serve the younger Jacob, (the father of the Israelites) and this word from the Lord, given to Rebekah during her pregnancy with these twins, would come to pass in 2 Sam 8:14 where we read of David putting garrisons throughout all Edom, and all the Edomites became David’s servants. 2Sa 8:14 He also put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David wherever he went.This was by no  means an easy process as is noted throughout the Old Testament. The Edomites were a thorn in the side of Israel throughout much of their history.

Let us guard against those tendencies in all of us to be “Jacobs,” to be “supplanters.” If we were honest, we would all admit to being schemers in most areas of our lives. It’s like Bob Wallace said to Betty Haynes in “White Christmas, “surely you knew that everybody’s got a little larceny operating in them.”

We do! We want to be in control. We want to determine our destiny, but as we shall see with Jacob, schemers have little rest and no peace. Let us cease our striving as we try to be one step ahead of everyone (especially God! Rather let us take Php 4:6,7 to heart. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”