Jacob and Esau

This week we’ll continue our walk through the highlights of the Old Testament with an introduction to Jacob and Esau.

When Isaac, the son of Abraham, grew up, he had twins with his wife Rebekah. The first born was Esau, a skillful hunter and “man of the open country.” Jacob, however, was “content to stay at home among the tents.”

The story is, of course, about Jacob’s deceit of Esau, a deceit which resulted in the transferral of the “birthright” from Esau (firstborn) to Jacob. 

It’s a story in which Jacob does not, as they say, “cover himself in glory.”

He’s shown to be a lying, scheming, and cowardly man who cheats his brother out of something rightfully his. While Jacob will eventually show himself to be a more fully fleshed out character—he’s not all lying and cowardice—but one major point the story introduces here is that God is pleased to work through those “untimely born.”

Time and again, as the story of the Scriptures unfolds, the most important characters are those who exist on the margins of society, power, wealth, etc. 

The story of the people of God, then, is one in which God shows fort his glory in and through the weakness of his people. And it begins, in large part, here. 

Scripture to consider:

• Gen. 25

  
  

Question for your kids

• I wonder: have you ever done something crazy when you were hungry?

• I wonder: do you think Esau thought his inheritance was very important? What was it? (hint: more than money/possessions. It was to participate in the covenant promises of God as one of the great "patriarchs"

Peace,

Danny+