Jacob had learned from his mother of the divine intimation that the birthright should fall to him, and he was filled with an unspeakable desire for the privileges which it would confer. It was not the possession of his father's wealth that he craved; the spiritual birthright was the object of his longing. To commune with God as did righteous Abraham, to offer the sacrifice of atonement for his family, to be the progenitor of the chosen people and of the promised Messiah, and to inherit the immortal possessions embraced in the blessings of the covenant-here were the privileges and honors that kindled his most ardent desires. His mind was ever reaching forward to the future, and seeking to grasp its unseen blessings.

Jakob havde af sin moder fået at vide, at Gud havde givet til kende, at førstefødselsretten skulle tilfalde ham, og han var grebet af en usigelig længsel efter de rettigheder, der fulgte med den. Det var ikke besiddelsen af faderens rigdomme, han ønskede. Det var den åndelige førstefødselsret, der var genstand for hans længsel. At tale med Gud, som den retfærdige Abraham gjorde, at frembære forsoningsofferet for sin familie, at blive stamfader til det udvalgte folk og til den lovede Messias og at arve de evige besiddelser, der omfattedes af pagten det var privilegier og æresbevisninger, der vakte den mest brændende længsel hos ham. Hans tanker var stadig rettet mod fremtiden og søgte at virkeliggøre dens endnu ukendte velsignelser.