SOD POTTAGE
Genesis 25:29-34a
And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint. And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles.
This must be pretty good stuff. The birthright in question comprised land given by God, as promised by way of a covenant sealed by the smoking furnace and burning lamp passing at night through the dismembered ram, dismembered heifer, dismembered lady goat and the dove & pigeon (complete) arranged by Abram for the purpose:
Genesis 15:18-21 (the land)
Genesis 15:8-10, 17-18 (the covenant)
We're looking at around 250 million acres, allowing for a rough oblong parcel from the Nile to the Euphrates. I'm assuming red lentils, illustrated, for the pottage and the redness of Esau's hair. It was served with bread and I know what you're thinking: "Is that stuff presented on a bed of tripe?"
Well, no. It isn't. There weren't too many grains available in that area mainly because they'd be highly seasonal. Remember that it was a novelty for Pharaoh to store food in a silo and that was some time later. The bread I've suggested is made with hot water and is slightly rubbery, similar to a crumpet, and would have been easy for Jacob to make from a variety of grains such as buckwheat or spelt or even grass seeds if that's all there was.
In any event Jacob sod pottage, bread or no (but there was bread) and even though they were probably both hungry there was a choice. Sod pottage or 250 million acres? Hmmmmmm, dunno, I am rather peckish but against that (and I can always just walk home even if I go without for another 24 hours it's not going to kill me) how much venison, beef, mutton, poultry, cereals, building materials, vineyards, orchards, mining opportunities for gemstones, precious metals, truffles.. for the rest of my life.. difficult choice.. "It is
red. pottage?"
And sure enough, Esau chose the pottage.