Theme: Materialism versus what really matters

Exegetical note
Neither of the principals in this story comes out looking very good: Jacob is portrayed as greedy (albeit clever), and Esau as short-sighted (or downright stupid). Perhaps the best truly timeless lesson here is in the materialism that diverts both from righteousness: Jacob's lust for his brother's rightful double inheritance overcomes both fairness and brotherly love, while Esau's concern to meet immediate physical need (in this case, hunger) clouds his judgment about the futu…