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 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. 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 elder would serve the younger.
When the boys were born, they definitely were not identical. One was red and 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.
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 “heal 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. 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 “heal grabber” to “Israel,” “One who prevails with GOD.” See, Genesis 35:10.
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.” They also tend to be much sweeter (some might say “super sweeter”) than their “red” brothers. They also tend to be more sensitive to temperature, wind and rain. They are generally ready to be harvested in late June through mid-July.
Katherine Brooking, MS, RD in “Cherries: As Good as They Look,” provides several reasons for eating cherries. According to Brooking:
- They’re Nutritional All-Stars-Cherries are a great source of bioactive compounds, which have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and cardiovascular benefits. A cup or 21 cherries provides about 90 calories and 3 grams of fiber.
- They May Ease Achy Joint Pain-Several studies have shown that cherries may help reduce inflammation and joint pain associated with arthritis and gout. Bing Cherries specifically was associated with helping lower blood uric acid levels, which is associated with gout. One study found that when cherries were combined with traditional gout medication, flare-ups were reduced by 75 percent.
- They’re a Natural Sleep Aid-Tart Cherries are a natural sleep aid because they contain melatonin, a compound that plays a key role in the body’s natural sleep-awake patterns. The research found that tart cherry juice can boost melatonin levels and may improve the duration and quality of sleep.
- They possess Anti-Cancer Properties-Cherries are rich in Quercetin, which helps neutralize potential DNA damage caused by free radicals. Quercetin may protect against heart disease and certain cancers.
See, “Cherries: As Good as They Look, Katherine Brooking, MS, RD, August 4, 2017, https://blogs.webmd.com/food-and-nutrition/2017/08/cherries-as-good-as-they-look.html. .
Be Good Fruit
We are all “somebody’s fruit.” Although our actual names may not describe “our character,” our actions, in part, may say a lot about “who we are.”
JESUS put it this way: “Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” See John 13:35, Living Bible translation.
Pray for a steady diet of LOVE so people will know “who we are,” and “WHOSE we are.”
LOVE more, eat well, be well and BE BLESSED.
