LESSON 2: ESAU AND JACOB
Lesson 2 – Esau and Jacob
Isaac, the promised son of Abraham grew up. At the age of 40, he married Rebekah, the sister of Laban from Aram. They did not have children for many years. Isaac pleaded to God for a child, and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah conceived.
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When Rebekah felt the twins wrestling in her womb, she prayed to God asking for understanding.
The Lord said to her: “Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your womb; one shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger.”
When her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, the first of the twins came out. He was red haired, so they named him Esau. The second child was named Jacob. Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a quiet man, who preferred to always be home in the tents where they lived.
One day, Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. As he was tired, Esau asked for some stew. But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.” Esau made the promise and sold his birthright to Jacob in exchange for some stew for himself. Once he decided to sell his birthright in exchange for food, he lost all his blessings.
Isaac became old. His eyesight decreased day by day. One day he called Esau, his older son, and said to him, “Please take your bow and arrow and go out to the field to hunt some wild animals for me. Prepare a tasty meal that I love, and bring it to me so I can enjoy it. I will then give you my blessing before I die.” Rebekah was listening to this.
Esau went to the field to hunt, and Rebekah sent Jacob to Isaac with tasty food that she cooked. Jacob wore his brother’s clothes. He covered his hands and neck with the skins of the kids (baby goat) to disguise himself as Esau. He went to his father. “Please arise, sit, and eat this meal I prepared for you, so that you may give me your blessing.” While Isaac touched him, he realized it was the voice of Jacob, but the hands were Esau’s. “Are you really my son Esau?” He replied, “I am.” Isaac ate the food and blessed Jacob.
The blessing was like this. “May God give you of the dew of heaven, of the richness of the earth, and abundance of grain and wine. Let people serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be master over your brethren, and let your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be those who bless you.”
Esau came back after hunting and prepared tasty food for Isaac. When he brought the food, Isaac realized that Jacob had taken away the blessings and trembled exceedingly. Esau started to cry bitterly. He wanted to kill Jacob for taking away his blessings. Knowing this Rebekah asked Jacob to escape to Laban, her brother’s house.
Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and said to him, “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan. Take yourself a wife from the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother.” Jacob went away to Paddan-aram, to stay with his uncle, Laban.
Note to Teachers:
- The purpose of this lesson is to make the student understand God’s will and live according to it.
- Encourage the student to pray, “Let Your will be done in my life.”
Questions to ask students at the end of lesson for discussion:
- Do you know why Rebekah treated her sons differently? There is a reason behind that. Don’t you remember what God told Rebekah when the children struggled in her womb? Rebekah had more interest towards Jacob as God had told her that the elder son would serve the younger one. She had remembered all this and kept it in her heart. Rebekah lived her life to serve the wishes of God. How do you feel about Rebekah after learning this?
Answer the Questions:
- What was the name of Isaac’s wife?
- What were the names of Rebekah’s twins?
- How were the characteristics of Esau and Jacob different?
- How did Jacob get the birthright?
- What blessings did Jacob get?
- Why did Rebekah send Jacob to Isaac while Esau went hunting?
- Where did Jacob flee from Esau? To whose house did Jacob go for protection?
- Do you think God still loved Jacob even though he made mistakes? Discuss.
- What is something you can do to make peace with a friend or family member if you have a disagreement?
- What did you learn about forgiveness from the story of Esau and Jacob? Discuss.
True or False:
- Rebekah was the mother of Esau and Jacob.
- Jacob was born with red hair.
- Esau was a hunter.
- Esau prepared the stew.
- Esau sold off his birthright to Jacob.
- Jacob ran off to Laban.
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