Jacob and Esau
Twin brothers born to Isaac and Rebekah struggle from the womb. Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew.
Genesis 25:19-34
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The Story
Isaac prayed for his wife Rebekah because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins. But the babies jostled within her so violently that she cried out, 'Why is this happening to me?' She went to inquire of the Lord.
'Two nations are in your womb,' God told her, '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, the first baby emerged red and hairy all over, like a garment. They named him Esau. His twin came out grasping Esau's heel, so they named him Jacob, meaning 'he grasps the heel' or 'he deceives.'
The boys grew up very different. Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, and Isaac's favorite because Isaac had a taste for wild game. Jacob was content to stay among the tents, and Rebekah loved him more.
One day Jacob was cooking stew when Esau came in from the countryside, famished. 'Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!' he said.
Jacob saw an opportunity. 'First sell me your birthright.' The birthright was the eldest son's double inheritance and family leadership.
'Look, I am about to die,' Esau exaggerated. 'What good is the birthright to me?'
'Swear to me first,' Jacob insisted.
So Esau swore an oath and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave him bread and lentil stew. Esau ate and drank, got up and left. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
For a bowl of stew, Esau traded away his spiritual inheritance. He valued the immediate over the eternal, the physical over the spiritual. It was a choice that would echo through generations.
The Twin Brothers
Kids Version
Isaac and Rebekah wanted children. Isaac prayed, and God answered! Rebekah was going to have twins!
But even before they were born, the babies kicked and pushed inside her tummy. God told Rebekah, 'You have two very different boys. The older one will serve the younger one someday.'
The first baby born was red and hairy. They named him Esau. The second baby came out holding Esau's heel! They named him Jacob.
The twins were SO different! Esau loved hunting and being outside. He was rough and tough. Their dad Isaac liked Esau best.
Jacob was quieter and liked staying home. He was good at cooking. Their mom Rebekah liked Jacob best.
One day, Jacob made a big pot of yummy stew. Esau came home from hunting, super hungry.
'Give me some of that stew!' Esau demanded. 'I'm STARVING!'
Jacob had an idea. 'I'll trade you. Give me your birthright, and I'll give you stew.'
The birthright was special. The firstborn son got extra stuff and was the leader of the family. It was really important!
But Esau just wanted food. 'Fine! What good is a birthright if I'm hungry? Take it!'
So Esau ate the stew and gave away his birthright. Just like that.
This was a bad choice. Esau traded something super important for something that was gone in a few minutes. We should always remember that God's gifts are more valuable than anything else!
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Scripture — Genesis 25:19-34 (KJV)
19And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham begat Isaac:
20And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
21And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
22And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.
23And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
24And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
25And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.
26And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.
27And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.
28And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. he: Heb. venison was in his mouth
29And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
30And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. with: Heb. with that red, with that red pottage Edom: that is Red
31And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
32And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? at: Heb. going to die
33And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
34Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
Memory Verse
“And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham begat Isaac:”
— Genesis 25:19 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Jacob and Esau” in the Bible?
Twin brothers born to Isaac and Rebekah struggle from the womb. Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew. This story is found in Genesis 25:19-34.
Where is “Jacob and Esau” found in the Bible?
“Jacob and Esau” is found in Genesis 25:19-34, in the book of Genesis.
What can children learn from “Jacob and Esau”?
This story teaches children about Sibling rivalry, Choices and consequences, Valuing spiritual things. Isaac and Rebekah had twin boys—hairy Esau and smooth Jacob. One day hungry Esau traded his special firstborn blessing for Jacob's soup. We should value God's gifts more than anything else.