GENESIS 25:24-28 When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. The first came forth red, all his body like a hairy mantle; so they called his name Esau. Afterward his brother came forth, and his hand had taken hold of Esau’s heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she [Rebekah] bore them.
When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. Isaac loved Esau, because he ate of his game; but Rebekah loved Jacob. [Revised Standard translation]
Summary
Abraham’s son Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, the sister of Laban, the Aramean. For a number of years, after they married, Rebekah was barren (i.e., childless). But, Isaac prayed to THE LORD for his wife and she conceived. Early on in the pregnancy, it became quite evident to Rebekah that she carrying more than one child, because there seem to be “a struggle” going on in her womb. (Genesis 25:22). When Rebekah asked that THE LORD about the battling fetuses, THE LORD told her that there were two nations in her womb—two people, divided. One would be stronger than the other and the older would serve the younger.
When the boys were born, they definitely were not identical. One was red and so had so much body hair, he looked like he was wearing a coat. He was born first and they called him “Esau,” which means “hairy.” Esau may have also been called “Edom,” which means “red.”
Esau later became the ancestral leader of the Edomites. It is not clear if the Edomites became associated with “red” because of the color of Esau’s complexion when he was born, because Esau’s hair may have been red or because Esau latter sold his birthright for a bowl of “red pottage,” or because of the red sandstone cliff in the region where Esau and “his people” later settled.
Jacob, the second born twin, had smooth skin and was probably the smaller of the two, since Esau was born first. Jacob was born holding Esau’s heel, which is why they named him “Jacob,” which means “heel holder.” The name “Jacob” also means “supplanter” or “he supplants.” Some even say the name means “cheater,” or “grabber,” referring to later events in Jacob’s life when Jacob and his mother, Rebekah tricked Isaac into giving Jacob “the first born’s blessing.”
The “twin fruit,” grew up in the same household but the atmosphere was far from sweet. There was jealousy, envy, deceit, selfishness, favoritism and subterfuge. But, there was also later redemption and reconciliation. With Jacob’s redemption, there was also a “name change,” “a change of heart” and more.
Jacob discovered what it meant to really be blessed by THE FATHER. Jacob went from “heel grabber” to “Israel.” “Israel” means “one who prevails with GOD” or “he struggles with GOD.” See, Genesis 35:10 and Genesis 32:28.
TWIN FRUIT
Some might call Dark-Red Cheeries and Rainier Cherries twin fruit. Although the older dark red cherry has been around a long time---some speculate to the time of the Roman Empire, it lighter “brother,” the Rainier Cherry is younger. The Rainier Cherry was developed in 1952 at Washington State University by Harry Fogle. The cherry was named after Mt. Rainer.
Rainer Cherries tend to have a thinner “creamy yellow skin.” Some believe they tend to be much sweeter than their “red” brothers, although not all Rainier Cherries taste the same. They also tend to be more sensitive to temperature, wind and rain. Much of the crop on trees often get eaten by birds, which may explain why Rainier Cheeries also tend to be more expensive. They are generally ready to be harvested in late June through mid-July.
Margaret Nearing, in “Five Reason to Eat More Cherries,” provides a number of reasons to eat cherries:
- Ease Aching Joints-Cherries are rich in antioxidants. Their red color, like the red in grapes, has an enzyme inhibitor against inflammation and may help soothe soreness linked with muscle and joint pain.
- Good for the Colon-Cherries contain quercetin, a flavonoid with anti-carcinogenic properties. Research in the Journal of Nutrition found cherries help prevent lesions, thought to be a predictor of tumors, from forming in the colon.
- Control Cholesterol-Cherries are high in pectin—a soluble fiber that helps the heart by lowering “bad” cholesterol.
- Good for the Eyesight-Cherries contain about 19 times the amount of beta-carotene found in blueberries. They are high in Vitamin A, and thus thought to help maintain eyesight and healthy skin.
- Good for a Good Night Sleep- Cherries are one of the few known food sources of melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone that helps to regulate the body’s sleep patterns and circadian rhythms (i.e., the body’s internal clock—it’s what helps you sleep at night and awake in the morning).
See, Margaret Nearing, Best Health.
GOD’s Spiritual Fruit In The World
We are all “somebody’s fruit.” Although our given names may not describe “our character,” our actions, in part, reveal “who we are.” There is a song that says “They Will Know We Are Chris-tian by Our Love.”
JESUS put it this way: “Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35. If GOD is “OUR FATHER,” then those in the world are just “sisters” and “brothers.” Pray for a steady diet of LOVE, so that people will know “who you are,” and “WHOSE you are.”
Strive and pray for spiritual sweetness and BE BLESSED.
