Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

Jacob had learned from his mother that the birthright should
fall to him, and he was filled with desire for the privileges it would
confer. It was not his father's wealth that he craved; it was the
spiritual birthright that he longed for. To commune with God as
Abraham had, to offer the sacrifice of atonement, to be a forefather
of the chosen people of the promised Messiah, to inherit the
immortal possessions included in the covenant--these were the
privileges and honor that he earnestly desired.
He listened to all that his father told him concerning the
spiritual birthright, and he carefully treasured what he had learned
from his mother. The subject became the focus of his life, but Jacob
did not have a personal relationship with the God whom he revered.
His heart had not been renewed by divine grace. He constantly
thought about devising some way to get the blessing that his brother
held so lightly, but which was so precious to himself.
Esau Sells His Treasure
Esau, coming home one day faint and weary from hunting,
asked for the food that his brother was preparing. Jacob seized the
advantage and offered to satisfy his brother's hunger at the price of
the birthright. "Look, I am about to die," cried the reckless, selfindulgent
hunter, "so what is this birthright to me?" For a dish of red
stew he gave up his birthright and confirmed the transaction by an
oath. To satisfy the desire of the moment he carelessly traded the
glorious heritage God Himself had promised his fathers. His whole
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