Esau had been blessed as the firstborn, but he gave up his birthright without taking consideration of what will happen in the future. Besides, this is a sign that Esau is an impatient, reckless person. The birthright represented his special relationship with his father, but when he sold his birthright, it was as though he abandoned his relationship with his father. As for Jacob, though he was a shrewd man, he was patient and laid strategy in order to attain what he desired, in this case, the birthright of the firstborn. He was smart and quick to act when the right opportunity turned up.