A Birthright Despised

The twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah, born under such unusual circumstances, have now grown to young adulthood. They are strikingly different personalities, but far more importantly, they have dramatic differences in what they value. What influence might Abraham have had on his new grandsons? How did the favoritism of Isaac and Rebekah influence their sons? What was the nagging issue the stalked Jacob's mind as he grew up? What was he thinking about when Esau came in famished from the field? What, if any, was the distinction between the birthright and the blessing? How must the heart of God felt when Esau despised his birthright? Why is thankfulness so heavily stressed in Scripture?