Jacob and Esau

Genesis 25:19-34

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This is the account of the family line of Abraham’s son Isaac.

Abraham became the father of Isaac, 20 and Isaac was forty years old when he
married Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram and [c]

sister of Laban the Aramean.

Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was
21

childless. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became
pregnant. 22 The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is
this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the LORD.
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The LORD said to her,

“Two nations are in your womb,

and two peoples from within you will be separated;
one people will be stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger.”

When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her
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womb. 25 The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy
garment; so they named him Esau. 26 After this, his brother came out, with
[d]

his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years
[e]

old when Rebekah gave birth to them.

The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open
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country, while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents. 28 Isaac,
who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open
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country, famished. 30 He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red
stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom. ) [f]

31
Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”
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“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”

But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his
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birthright to Jacob.
 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank,
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and then got up and left.

So Esau despised his birthright.

Discussion Starters
Can you summarize this story for us?

Does this story make sense? Is there anything you don’t understand?
What is a birthright? What kind of expectations and privileges came with being the eldest son in ancient
culture?

Why would Esau have been so rash?

What do you think of Jacob’s actions?

How would you compare Jacob and Esau in terms of personality? Could you think of modern
equivalents?

Are you surprised that Jacob and Rebekah are important and heroic Biblical figures, even in the lineage
of Jesus? How does God use imperfect people?

What is the virtue of patience? How does it relate to this story? Prudence?

How can you avoid making decisions which harm you in the long term to get short term benefit? Can
you think of any situations where this is relevant to your life?

Is cleverness or craftiness virtuous?

What is a Patriarch? Who are the Patriarchs?

What do you think had to change in Jacob’s life before he was able to be a Patriarch?

Does the family of Isaac and Rebekah seem healthy?

What obligations do you have toward your siblings? Your parents?

Do you believe God has a plan for people even before they are born?

Have you ever “despised” a gift from God? What does that mean?

What does it mean to reject your inheritance or your father’s faith?

Wisdom of the Fathers

St. Jerome says, “Esau also has been a beast hunter and a transgressor. In all the Holy Scripture, while
we do not find a good hunter, we encounter many good fishermen”
St. Augustine points out the way that Jacob and Esau prefigure the relationship between the old and the
new covenant or Christianity and Judaism: “You are ‘Jacob,’ the younger people, who is served by the
older people”

St. Augustine comments on the fall of Esau, that what he did was not particularly for the sake of a plate
of stew, but because of his non-caring nature, saying: “It is to teach us that the fault does not lie in the
creation of God, but rather in the stubborn rebellion and shameful lust; The first man did not earn death
because of pig meat, but for a fruit (Gen. 3:6); and it was not because of a meal of birds, but for a plate
of stew, that Esau sell his birthright”

Saint Ambrose says: “For the foolish man cannot of his own accord be a disciple of virtue or persevere in
his intent, because the fool changes like the moon. Isaac was right to deny Esau freedom to make
his own choices; else he might drift like a ship in the waves without a helmsman. But Isaac made him
subject to his brother according to that which is written, The unwise man is the slave of the wise man.
Therefore the Patriarch was right to make him subject, so that he might amend his dispositions under
rule and guidance.”

Saint Cyprian says in his Treatise Adversos Iudicos, Book I: “That two peoples were foretold, the elder
and the younger; that is, the old people of the Jews, and the new one which should consist of us. In
Genesis: “And the Lord said unto Rebekah, Two nations are in thy womb, and two peoples shall be
separated from thy belly; and the one people shall overcome the other people; and the elder shall serve
the younger.” Also in Hosea: “I will call them my people that are not my people, and her beloved that
was not beloved. For it shall be, in that place in which it shall be called not my people, they shall be
called the sons of the living God.”
Dear Sunday School Families:

This week we learned the story of Jacob and Esau. This powerful story shows us the folly of
making a decision in light of a short term need rather than a long-term plan. It shows us that our
salvation history is full of complex and imperfect people. It is a story for this modern time, set so long in
anticipation of our Savior.

Obviously, there’s much more to cover! Some ideas to bring the lesson home this week might
be:

 Read the continuation of the story in Genesis 27, when Jacob once again uses his cunning and
his mother’s favor to usurp his brother. Then read the story of Jacob and Esau reuniting in
Genesis 32 through Genesis 33. Discuss the stories as a family.
 Make lentil soup and bread for dinner (there are many tasty Wednesday and Friday fast-friendly
recipes!)
 Talk about how your family can work together and build each other up better
 Try an outdoor adventure such as hiking, hunting or camping, and talk about why Esau must
have been exhausted and needed food right away.
 In Genesis 25:22-23 Rebekah’s pregnancy, and God’s plan for her children is discussed. Have a
family discussion about the sanctity of life. Perhaps you can gather old baby things and make a
donation to a crisis pregnancy center.

Next week we will continue with the story of Jacob and learn about how he received his new
name, and how he literally wrestled with God.

Let us know how we’re doing! Any one on your Sunday School team would be happy to hear
your suggestions and comments.

Also, if you haven’t signed up for the pageant, and want to, please let Kristi or Bobbi know,
they’re hard at work prepping the pageant for as many roles, big or small as possible. Teen leaders
are a great help. The pageant is a great “love in action” activity, it’s a way to share your faith with
your community, help educate and empower the little guys and serve the church.

Love Always!

The Sunday School Team