HEAL GRABBERS

The birth of Esau and Jacob and its application to the principle, “The First Shall Be Last and the Last Shall Be First,” (Mt. 20:16) focuses on the most powerful resource given those on The Way.  Reflecting that the little we know about the third child of Adam and Eve is he was named Seth after the Egyptian god of chaos, reveals that we are not afraid of chaos because the Word ends chaos. (refer to blog entries "SETH on January 30 and "PRINCIPLES" January 29) When we are liberated from the fear of chaos, we can be those who shake up the status quo.  The name Jacob means “heal grabber.”  I think you could add that to the top ten names not to give your child, yet it is a celebrated name today.  Why?  Because Jacob represents great hope for those who fall into a system set up to prevent them from realizing their potential.  

Esau was born first.  Esau was his father’s favorite.  Esau guaranteed his position in society by the position of his birth and his father’s favor.  Jacob grabs his heal, pulling him from his position of favor and elevating his life’s potential.  Jacob flees from the threat of his brother’s anger.  Jacob returns to establish the future tribes of Israel and to live in peace with his brother.

Be a Heal Grabber!

Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her:

“Two nations are in your womb,

Two peoples shall be separated from your body;

One people shall be stronger than the other,

And the older shall serve the younger.”

So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau.  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 boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.  Genesis 25: 21-28