The Other Twin

The Bible uses something called “types” to teach us. Adam is a “type” for Jesus. Jesus is referred to as “the last Adam”. This is because there is something about Adam, and his relationship to Jesus, that can teach us about what Jesus accomplished. The 40 years that the Hebrews wandered in the wilderness and the deliverance into the Promised Land is a “type” for our individual search for God, and the deliverance fulfilled in the promise of the Christ. There are a multitude of types.

When we are without God, our nature is called “natural man”. After we obtain salvation, we receive the Spirit of God within, called “the new birth”. From this point on, the old man (natural man) struggles with the new man (godly man). When we obey God, the new man walks “by the spirit”. When we do things our own way, the old man walks “by the flesh”.

Jacob is a type for salvation through the belief in Christ. (see the posts “Names, part I” and Names, part II” on Dec 10 and Dec 17). Jacob had a twin, Esau. Esau is a “type” for the natural man, the way of the flesh or the world.

Esau was born first, just as we are born into the world without the spirit of God.
And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. Gen 25.25

Jacob was born second, just as we are reborn when we accept Christ.
And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob. Gen 25.26

The Christian encounters the struggle between God’s way and his own way; the struggle between the spirit and the flesh.
And the children struggled together within her… Gen 25.22

The name “Jacob” means “supplanter” because the walk by the spirit should replace the walk by the flesh.

But the natural man, the man without God despises the things of God. They are valueless to him.
And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? …Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright. Gen 25.32, 34

But in the end, when Christ returns, we shall be changed, our corrupt natural bodies changed into the incorruptible, and we will then be with Christ. The old man shall be no more.
And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken. Obad 1.18

God never hated the man, Esau. But when we follow the flesh, we walk away from God. God is telling us that He hates everything that takes us away from Him. God loves the relationship with His people. He loves to be close to us. He loves all of us.
I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. Mal 1.2-3

God has provided us a path away from the corruption of the world; a way to be reborn into the hope of salvation and everlasting life. It is through the resurrection of Christ that we can be reborn into the blessings of God. When Christ is Lord in our lives, we walk according to the spirit. God’s promise was always a promise of blessing and life.