Week 9: Genesis 25, 27– Jacob and Esau
Week 9: Genesis 25, 27– Jacob and Esau
As a family, read Genesis 25 and 27 together. Afterwards, share the following discussion.
What happened?
Isaac and Rebekah had twin boys, Esau and Jacob. Before they were born, God told Rebekah that one would be stronger than the other and that the older one would serve the younger. When the boys arrived, the first one to come out was red and his body was like a hairy cloak. He was named Esau. After Esau was born, his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel, so he was called Jacob.
As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, and Jacob was more of a quiet man who served the family at home. Isaac loved Esau because of his ability to hunt, but Rebekah favored Jacob. One day Esau came in from the field, exhausted from all of his work, while Jacob was cooking stew. Esau was so hungry that he demanded food from Jacob. So Jacob made Esau swear to sell his birthright to him. Now, a birthright in those days was a big deal. Because Esau was born first, he would inherit most of the family’s possessions. But because Esau couldn’t control his appetite, he gave away his birthright to Jacob.
However, the boys didn’t have the last say in the birthright; their father had to give a blessing to the son who would receive it. So when Isaac was old and ready to give Esau the blessing, Rebekah helped Jacob deceive him. Rebekah knew Isaac’s eyesight was very bad and that Jacob was not like his brother. She took Esau’s nicest garment and some goat hair and put them on Jacob so that the father would think that Jacob was Esau. After all of the preparation, Jacob took some food to his father. Isaac asked Jacob who he was, and Jacob said that he was the firstborn. Isaac called him over, felt his arms, and smelled him. He was confused because he sounded like Jacob but felt and smelled like Esau. Isaac gave Jacob Esau’s blessing. Jacob left and Esau came in with some dinner for his father. He then asked for his blessing, but Isaac had already given it to Jacob!
Why is this important to us, today?
Although the people in this story loved God, they acted in ways that displeased Him and harmed their family. Isaac and Rebekah each showed favoritism to a different son. Isaac favored Esau, and Rebekah favored Jacob. When parents make children feel as if one is loved more than the others, it creates intense sibling rivalry. Jacob wasn’t willing to share his stew when his brother was hungry, and Esau was willing to give up the most important thing he had—his birthright— for a bowl of soup. He satisfied a temporary need without thinking about the long-term consequences. Then, Jacob and his mother were deceitful in how they tricked Isaac.
Favoritism, sibling rivalry, and untruthfulness can harm your family just as much as it did in Isaac’s family. Honesty is an important rule in any home. Lying breaks trust and harms your relationships. Sometimes we think deceiving isn’t lying, and it’s okay if we don’t get caught. But a half truth is always a whole lie.
Spend a few minutes talking about what you just read by answering these questions together:
What should Jacob and Esau each have done differently regarding the stew? How did each person, including the parents, act in ways that harmed their relationships? How did their actions displease the Lord?
How can we better follow God this week?
Moms and Dads, this is a great time to let your children know that you love them completely… just the way they are! The same should be true of brothers and sisters. Just like Esau and Jacob, you are probably very different from your siblings. God made you each unique. For the next few minutes, take turns pointing out the talents and positive character traits of each person in your family.
When everyone in a family knows they are loved and each wants the best for the others, it creates a strong and happy home. Finish your time together with prayer, thanking God for each person in your family.