So Esau made an agreement with Jacob to sell the birthright for a pot of stew. Not an even trade, but if trades were supposed to be equal, then we would all have perfect knowledge and make perfect choices, just like God. Jacob made a contract with Jacob, and the birthright belonged to Jacob. At the time of sale, Esau did not care about the birthright and what went with it. Later, when he realized he would not get the Blessing, like he hoped, he did not admit the connection - that the birthright and the Blessing went together. Big mistake.
Jacob, on the other hand, realized that great blessing was contained in the birthright. He respected the invisible and God's promise to Abraham. Esau seemed oblivious. Esau claimed later to have been tricked by Jacob into selling the birthright. In fact, Esau used the word "cheated" to describe the transaction. But did Jacob have Esau over a barrel when he was hungry? Esau lived in abundance. He came in from hunting and was hungry - he wasn't starving and he would not have starved. He just so craved the stew that his real character came out, and he spouted off that the birthright really couldn't do him any good.
So, later when it was payment time - the birthright sales means you sold the Blessing also - Esau wants to renege. But God says Esau can't have it back, even thought he seeks it with tears. His father, Isaac, knows that's true also, and even though Isaac favored Esau, he still confirms that truth. And later Isaac blesses Jacob again. So, God honored the contract between Esau and Jacob, and He condemns Esau for his attitude of depreciating what was handed down from Abraham through Isaac. He is stuck with his decision. God doesn't rebuke Jacob anywhere in the scripture. Who are we to condemn Jacob and criticize him for cheating Esau . . . as if we were Esau?
