The story of Jacob and Esau brings us numerous lessons about faith and life. One of them is in respect to the importance of wanting something with all your strength.

The name “Jacob” literally means “he who grabs the heel.” Jacob received this name because when he was born he held on to the heel of his twin brother Esau, as someone who wanted to be born first.

Being born first made a huge difference in that time, like north from south. All of His father’s blessings, family rights and the right to lead the clan in the future would fall on the firstborn. The other children would simply have to accept the leftover positions, serving the firstborn.

Esau, however had the guarantee of the blessing. Jacob was simply left with an impossible dream.

In the end, Jacob got the blessing and Esau lost out. Why? Injustice? How can God honor Jacob despite his fraud?

Because Jacob chose to value the blessing more than Esau.

Esau had the blessing guaranteed. He thought it was only a matter of time. There was no way it would be any other way, he thought. That’s why he relaxed. He played around with the blessing in a moment of hunger, exchanging it for a plate of food.

Jacob however showed himself willing to do whatever it took to reach that impossible dream. He wanted it so badly that he reached the point of deceiving his father and brother to have it. Obviously, God didn’t approve of these means and Jacob paid a high price for it. Nevertheless, his desire was greater than Esau’s, and it was honored by God.

Perhaps you have been committing Esau’s mistake. Thinking things will happen naturally, that your dreams will come true sooner or later (after all you believe in God, you have His promises,) you have become complacent. Entered into auto-pilot, what will be will be.

People who are like this today are the same ones who tomorrow will look around and see others that passed them by and lament, “injustice!” Bitter people, with long faces, who complain about everything and everyone, even God – minus themselves.

Jacob wanted it more than Esau. That’s why he fought more. He sacrificed more. He received more.

This proves that wanting is greater than having the capacity.

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