Story 8: God’s Plan for Israel
(Jacob and Esau)

Genesis 22:1-19

The Bridge: God began to fulfil His promise to give Abraham many descendants through Isaac by blessing Jacob, Isaac’s son, with 12 sons.

The Story:

• Isaac married Rebekah and they had twins. Before they were born they struggled inside of Rebekah. When she inquired of the Lord, He said to her, “…Two nations are in your womb; and two peoples will be separated from your body; and one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23).
• God was showing that He would fulfil His promise through Jacob, the second born.
• Esau was born first and then Jacob, who came out holding on to Esau’s heel (Genesis 25:26).
• It was customary for the first-born son to receive a special inheritance, but because he was hungry, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew.
• When his father Isaac was very old, his eyesight was failing. Jacob tricked him into giving him the first-born blessing by pretending to be Esau.
• Esau was very angry, so Jacob was sent to stay with his uncle Laban until his brother wasn’t angry any longer (Genesis 27:41; 28:1).

What was valued more by Esau than what Jacob valued?