Jacob and Esau

Two Nations

Genesis 25:19-27

Genesis 25:19–27 ESV

These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac, and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.” When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb. The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau. Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents.

Two nations at war

One will be stronger but not who you think

The older will serve the younger

Esau - named for his red hair

Grew to become skillful hunter man of the field

Jacob - named surplanter because he was holding Esau’s heel

Grew to be quite man dwelling in tents

The Favorites

Genesis 25:28

Genesis 25:28 ESV

Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Esau - loved by Issac

daddy’s boy hunter

Jacob loved by Rebekah

helped around the house

Favoritism caused the disputes and lead to great deceits and hatred within the home.

Esau sells his birthright

Genesis 25:29-34

Genesis 25:29–34 ESV

Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Esau is tired and hungry and sees Jacob has dinner ready and says give me some of that

Jacob responds by demanding his birthright

birthright is the special firstborn status it entails both the rights of leadership and a double portion of the inheritance. Thus this is worth much more than a simple bowl of soup.

Yet notice Esau’s statement I am about to die of what use is a birthright to me

Nowhere above is it implied he was dying of starvation he is simply tire from hunting and has not eaten so he wants some soup

So he despises or devalues the gift of God by his being firstborn

Jacob demands a sworn oath before giving Esau the bread and soup and thus Jacob steals what is not rightfully his for a bowl of soup.

God’s promise fulfilled?