Jacob had been waiting for an opportunity to get the birthright from Esau. Jacob could have rightfully expected the birthright since God had promised that the elder would serve the younger, but Jacob's methods of obtaining it were entirely wrong.

Jacob sought the right thing in the wrong way. Using carnal methods to attain spiritual goals is never acceptable to God. Jacob felt that the end justified the means.

In this incident we see the value of waiting for God. The birthright was Jacob's by God's determinate will, and, in due time, He would have given it to Jacob.

Although Jacob connived to get the birthright, it was 30 years later before he actually benefited from it. Jacob knew the importance of believing God, but he did not know the importance of waiting on God.

We also need to learn the discipline of patiently waiting on God to fulfill His will in His own time.

God's Word says, "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise" (Heb. 10:35,36).

"And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul" (Ps. 106:15).