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   According to a 2021 study published in the journal Human Reproduction, the global twinning rate is 12 births per 1,000, which means that one in every 42 babies born is a twin. This is a third increase from the 1980s, when the rate was nine births per 1,000. However, the rate varies from country to country.

   There are two sets of twins mentioned in the Bible that are confirmed but no doubt more that we do not know of. Some believe according to Genesis 4:1-2 it is possible Cain and Abel were twins because the time between each birth is not easily defined. Was it a few minutes or 9+ months?

  In John 20:24 “But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.” The word Didymus means double or twin. It makes us wonder where his twin brother was and why he wasn’t listed as a follower of Jesus.

   In Genesis chapter 38 is an interesting story about twins. Judah had a daughter-in-law that he promised to his youngest son after her first husband died. He failed to keep his promise so she disguised herself and slept with Judah. In the process of time she conceived and gave birth to twins named Pharez and Zarah. Zarah extended his arm out first and the midwife tied a scarlet thread to his arm and after he pulled his arm back in his brother was born first and Zarah followed. The first then being called Pharez which means breach. Parez is also mentioned in the bloodline from David to Christ in Matthew 1:3.

   The most prominent set of twins are sons of Isaac and Rebekah named Jacob and Esau. According to Genesis 25:21-24 “And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.”

   Esau was born first. He was red and hairy like a garment. He grew to be a great hunter.

   Jacob was born next and as Esau was delivered Jacob took hold of Esau’s heel. These two are fascinating because they became to great nations and symbolize the massive struggle we all deal with in our lives, spiritual warfare. Just as they struggled in her womb we wrestle internally the Spirit of God and the carnal flesh. Esau being a man of the field and Jacob dwelt in tents. This echoes the worldly vs Godly battle we face each day. Esau as prophesied became servant to his brother Jacob and it’s our prayer that we bring this carnal man into subjection so that Christ can be glorified in our lives. Pray that the worldly twin in us submits to the Spiritual twin for the glory of God.