Jacob and Esau | Genesis | Week 11

Jacob and Esau
Genesis • July 23, 2023
Teacher: Adam Barnett

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Isaiah 43:1-2 NIV

But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Genesis 25:21-34 NIV

Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was unable to conceive children; and the Lord granted his prayer and Rebekah his wife conceived [twins]. But the children struggled together within her [kicking and shoving one another]; and she said, “If it is so [that the Lord has heard our prayer], why then am I this way?” So she went to inquire of the Lord [praying for an answer]. The Lord said to her, 

“[The founders of] two nations are in your womb;
And the separation of two nations has begun in your body;
The one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger.”

When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. The first came out reddish all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau (hairy). Afterward his brother came out, and his hand grasped Esau’s heel, so he was named Jacob (one who grabs by the heel). Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.

When the boys grew up, Esau was an able and skilled hunter, a man of the outdoors, but Jacob was a quiet and peaceful man, living in tents. Now Isaac loved [and favored] Esau, because he enjoyed eating his game, but Rebekah loved [and favored] Jacob. Jacob had cooked stew [one day], when Esau came from the field and was famished; and Esau said to Jacob, “Please, let me have a quick swallow of that red stuff there, because I am exhausted and famished.” For that reason Esau was [also] called Edom (Red). Jacob answered, “First sell me your birthright (the rights of a firstborn).” Esau said, “Look, I am about to die [if I do not eat soon]; so of what use is this birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear [an oath] to me today [that you are selling it to me for this food]”; so he swore [an oath] to him, and sold him his birthright. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and got up and went on his way. In this way Esau scorned his birthright.

Genesis 17:20 NIV

And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.

Genesis 25:18 NIV

“And they lived in hostility toward all their brothers.”

John Sailhamer

“The author of Genesis patiently waits until the end to thematically express the lesson behind these struggles, using the words of Joseph to his brothers: ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good’ (50:20). Out of each of the struggles, God’s will was accomplished. The point is not so much that the struggles were necessary for the accomplishment of the will of God, but rather than God’s will was accomplished in spite of the conflict.”

Elmer Towns

“Traditionally, a number of distinct privileges belonged to the firstborn son in a family. Called a birthright, this gave the oldest son, the firstborn, a special claim on the inheritance left by his father and the unique privilege of carrying on the family name to future generations. This birthright had a special spiritual significance. The possessor of the birthright was the one who 1) became heir of the covenant of God, 2) received the promises given to Abraham, and 3) offered sacrifices for the family.”  

Genesis 27:41 NIV

Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near, then I will kill my brother Jacob.”  

Genesis 28:10 NIV

Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran.

Blessing and Struggle Can Coexist.

Look for the blessing in the battle.