Jacob and Esau Bible Story

The First Book of Moses Called Genesis
Chapter 25

Jacob and Esau in the Bible Study on Jacob and Esau Bible Story Regarding Jacob and Esau Birthright Event

So lovely to share with you again here at Daily Bread Bible Study ... It's time for another wonderful story from the book of Genesis. Our last story was about the arrangement for Isaac to marry Rebekah. It wasn't uncommon for marriage to be planned by the parents in those days, and in some cultures, still is today, but to be told that your marriage was planned by God must have been very comforting.

This chapter begins with some events that happened over a span of time and then the main story follows. Speaking of marriage, Abraham took another wife after the death of Sarah and her name was Keturah. Six more children were born to Abraham by Keturah. But Abraham gave all he owned to Isaac. He gave gifts to his other sons while he was alive, and sent them eastward to live, away from Isaac.

Abraham lived to be 175 years old, and Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave that was in the field that he bought where Sarah was buried.

A noteworthy fact to remember is mentioned in this chapter. Ishmael did indeed have twelve sons. And God did make them a great nation. It stretched approximately from Assyria to Egypt, which was more territory than the Promised Land. And Ishmael lived to be 137 years old.

Now for our story.

Jacob and Esau in the Bible Study on Jacob and Esau Bible Story Regarding Jacob and Esau Birthright Dispute

Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah, and he prayed to God because she couldn't have children. God heard Isaac's prayer and Rebekah conceived.

Rebekah felt wrestling inside her, and she asked the Lord why. The Lord told her that two nations were within her. One nation will be stronger than the other and the older will serve the younger. This is not the first time we've read about one family producing more than one nation.

When Rebekah delivered she had twins, and the first was red all over like a fur coat, and they named him Esau. When the second child was born, he was holding on to Esau's heel, and they named him Jacob. Isaac was 60 years old when his sons were born.

The boys grew up and Esau became a skillful hunter and outdoors-man; and Jacob was a homebody, with his life centered on things indoors. Isaac loved Esau because he ate the venison that he hunted, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

One day Jacob made stew and Esau came in from hunting, very weak. Near fainting, Esau asked Jacob for some of the stew. Jacob answered; First sell me your inheritance. Esau said, right now I feel like I'm going to die, what good is an inheritance going to do me? So Jacob made Esau promise, and Esau swore that Jacob could have his birthright.

Jacob gave Esau bread and some of the stew and Esau recovered quickly from his weariness. From that day forward, Esau despised the thought of his birthright.

Jacob and Esau in the Bible Study on Jacob and Esau Bible Story Regarding Jacob and Esau Birthright Summary

Let's look back on what the Lord said about Ishmael and how his hand would be against every man, and every man would be against him. We found out that four thousand years later, this is still affecting the world. Remember, the Lord said that the older would serve the younger. This is the reason Jacob was clutching his brother's heel at birth. The firstborn traditionally gets the inheritance. But as it turned out, God told Rebekah the conclusion before it even happened. We'll see how it affects God's chosen people in future stories of Daily Bread.