Jacob and Esau were the twin sons of Isaac (the son of Abraham) and Rebekah. The story of Jacob and Esau is found throughout several chapters in Genesis; however, the portion of their story which this entry will focus on is found in Genesis 25:21 through 27:46. This section of scripture details a couple of interactions between the brothers Jacob and Esau.
Key Lessons
- Consider priorities in life. Esau sold his birthright for stew in Genesis 25:29-34. Although Esau was hungry and exhausted he should have considered what he was trading away to satisfy a temporary state of hunger. Children need to realize that God should always be their number one priority in life.
- Relationships between siblings. These two stories involving Jacob and Esau detail accounts of ways that siblings should not act toward one another. Jacob takes Esau’s birthright by persuading Esau when he was in a weakened state (Genesis 25:29-34). Siblings should be encouragers to one another, not looking for ways to knock the other one down. Jacob also betrays his brother by tricking his father into blessing him rather than Esau (Genesis 27:1-45).
- The importance of who one marries. In Genesis 26:34-35 the Bible states: “When Esau was forty years old, he took Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite to be his wife, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and they made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah.” Children need to be taught from a young age that who they choose for a spouse is one of the most important decisions they will ever make in their lives. Children ought to be educated that they should search for a spouse which will help them in their walk with God, rather than hinder them in their walk with God. In Genesis 27:46 the Bible reiterates that Esau’s wives made life difficult for Isaac and Rebekah.
Read Week 7-Bible Stories to Share with Your Children: Abraham’s Sacrifice