This story is filled with themes of forgiveness, family dynamics, and the idea that sometimes difficult journeys lead to personal growth and a deeper understanding of one’s relationship with God.
Jacob and Esau were the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah, born after a long period of childlessness. Even before their birth, the Lord told Rebekah that “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” (Genesis 25:23, KJV).
Esau was born first, red and hairy, and became a skilled hunter, living a rugged, outdoor life. Jacob, in contrast, was a plain man, dwelling in tents, and his mother’s favourite. One day, Jacob was cooking stew when Esau came in from the field, famished. Esau asked for some stew, and Jacob seized the opportunity. He offered Esau bread and stew in exchange for his birthright, which Esau carelessly agreed to, despising his birthright for a moment of immediate gratification
Jacob and Esau were born to Isaac and Rebekah, but even before their birth, God foretold a surprising destiny for the twins: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23, ESV). This prophecy meant that Jacob, though the younger son, would eventually hold a position of honor over Esau.
Esau became a skilled hunter, while Jacob was a quieter man who stayed close to home. One day, Esau returned from hunting, exhausted and starving, and found Jacob cooking a pot of stew. Seeing an opportunity, Jacob told Esau he would only share the stew if Esau agreed to sell his birthright, which included a double portion of the inheritance and the family’s leadership. In his haste, Esau replied, “What good is the birthright to me?” and sold it to Jacob for a meal (Genesis 25:29-34). This impulsive choice reflected Esau’s disregard for the future.
The Deception for the Blessing
Years later, as Isaac grew old, he called Esau and asked him to hunt and prepare a meal so he could give him the blessing of the firstborn. Rebekah, however, wanted Jacob to receive the blessing, so she helped him prepare a meal and dress in Esau’s clothes. Jacob went to his father pretending to be Esau, and Isaac, though initially suspicious, gave Jacob the blessing meant for the eldest son: “May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth, and plenty of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers” (Genesis 27:28-29, ESV). This blessing confirmed Jacob’s future prominence and prosperity.
When Esau returned, he discovered that Jacob had taken his blessing and was devastated. Esau vowed to kill Jacob, and to protect him, Rebekah sent Jacob to her brother Laban’s household.
Jacob’s Wisdom in Gaining Wealth
Jacob’s journey to his uncle Laban’s household became a critical period of growth and learning. After working for Laban for many years, Jacob married Laban’s daughters Leah and Rachel and had children. Although Laban changed his wages many times, Jacob used his understanding of breeding and animal husbandry to increase his wealth. Jacob agreed to tend Laban’s flocks on the condition that he could keep any speckled or spotted animals as his own. Using wisdom and skill, Jacob selectively bred the flocks so that the stronger animals produced speckled and spotted offspring, which became his (Genesis 30:32-43). Over time, Jacob’s flocks and wealth grew significantly, showing his foresight and ability to navigate complex situations to his advantage.
Eventually, God directed Jacob to return to his homeland, where he knew he would have to face Esau. Though he was prosperous, Jacob was deeply fearful of Esau’s anger over the past, so he made careful preparations to protect his family and appease his brother.
Jacob’s Wisdom in Meeting Esau
As Jacob neared his homeland, he sent messengers ahead to inform Esau of his arrival, referring to Esau as “my lord” and himself as “your servant” to show humility and respect (Genesis 32:4-5). When the messengers returned, they informed Jacob that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men, which alarmed Jacob. To protect his family, Jacob divided his people and possessions into two groups, reasoning that if Esau attacked one group, the other might escape (Genesis 32:7-8). This was a wise strategy that demonstrated Jacob’s concern for his family’s safety.
Then, in another act of wisdom, Jacob sent a series of gifts ahead to Esau, hoping to soften his brother’s heart. He sent droves of livestock—goats, sheep, camels, cows, and donkeys—each with its own servant, spaced out as separate offerings to Esau. Jacob instructed his servants to tell Esau that these gifts were from “your servant Jacob,” as a gesture of peace and goodwill (Genesis 32:13-20). Jacob hoped that by sending these gifts, Esau’s anger might be lessened, and they could meet peacefully.
Finally, Jacob approached Esau with humility. He placed his family behind him in order of their importance to him, showing care for their protection. When he saw Esau approaching, Jacob bowed to the ground seven times as a sign of respect and submission, an act that demonstrated both humility and wisdom.
The Reconciliation
To Jacob’s relief, Esau ran to meet him, embracing him in a gesture of forgiveness. Esau’s anger had subsided, and he accepted Jacob’s gifts despite initially refusing them, showing that Jacob’s approach of humility and generosity had worked. The two brothers reconciled, marking an end to years of tension and rivalry (Genesis 33:4-11).
Through this story, Jacob’s wisdom is evident in his ability to gain wealth despite obstacles and his careful planning in reconciling with Esau. His approach teaches the importance of humility, thoughtful preparation, and seeking peace in family relationships.
This story is also filled with themes of forgiveness and family dynamics.
Another Version:
Jacob and Esau were the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Even before their birth, God spoke to Rebekah, revealing a surprising future for the twins: “And 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” (Genesis 25:23, KJV). This prophecy indicated that Jacob, though the younger twin, would eventually hold a position of honor over Esau.
Esau became a skilled hunter and an outdoorsman, while Jacob was a quieter man who stayed close to home. One day, Esau returned from hunting, exhausted and starving, and found Jacob cooking a pot of stew. Esau said to Jacob, “Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint” (Genesis 25:30, KJV).
Seeing an opportunity, Jacob made a bold request: “Sell me this day thy birthright” (Genesis 25:31, KJV). The birthright, a significant honor, entitled the firstborn son to a double portion of the inheritance and leadership of the family. In his hunger and impatience, Esau replied, “Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?” (Genesis 25:32, KJV). He dismissed the value of the birthright and agreed to Jacob’s terms. “And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob” (Genesis 25:33-34, KJV). In this impulsive moment, Esau sold the birthright, and Jacob took it.
The Deception for the Blessing
Years later, Isaac grew old and his sight became dim. He called Esau and said, “Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death: Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison; And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat, that my soul may bless thee before I die” (Genesis 27:2-4, KJV). Rebekah, overhearing this, devised a plan to help Jacob receive the blessing instead of Esau. She prepared a meal, dressed Jacob in Esau’s clothes, and put goat skins on his arms to make him feel like Esau (Genesis 27:15-17).
Jacob went to Isaac and presented the meal, saying, “I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me” (Genesis 27:19, KJV). Isaac was suspicious but asked, “How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son?” (Genesis 27:20, KJV). Jacob replied, “Because the LORD thy God brought it to me” (Genesis 27:20, KJV). Isaac was still doubtful, but Jacob convinced him, and Isaac gave him the blessing meant for Esau: “Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee” (Genesis 27:28-29, KJV).
When Esau returned and found what had happened, he cried out, “Bless me, even me also, O my father!” (Genesis 27:34, KJV). Isaac, realizing the deception, could only give Esau a lesser blessing: “Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above; And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck” (Genesis 27:39-40, KJV). Esau was furious and vowed to kill Jacob once their father had passed away (Genesis 27:41, KJV).
Jacob’s Journey and Wisdom in Gaining Wealth
To protect Jacob, Rebekah sent him to her brother Laban in Haran. On the journey, Jacob had a dream of a ladder reaching to heaven, with angels ascending and descending. God spoke to him, saying, “I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 28:13-14, KJV). Jacob vowed, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God” (Genesis 28:20-21, KJV).
Jacob worked for Laban, and over the years, he displayed wisdom in his dealings, especially with Laban’s flocks. Initially, Laban deceived Jacob by changing his wages, but Jacob used his understanding of breeding to increase his wealth. When Laban offered to pay Jacob a certain wage, Jacob asked for all the speckled and spotted sheep and goats. Jacob then selectively bred the animals so that the stronger ones produced speckled or spotted offspring, which became his (Genesis 30:32-43, KJV). Over time, Jacob’s wealth grew as his flocks flourished.
Jacob’s Wisdom in Meeting Esau
After many years, Jacob decided to return home. Knowing he would have to face Esau, whom he feared, Jacob sent messengers ahead to Esau, saying, “I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now: And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight” (Genesis 32:4-5, KJV). When the messengers returned, they told Jacob that Esau was coming with 400 men, which caused Jacob great distress. He divided his people into two groups, reasoning that if Esau attacked one group, the other might escape (Genesis 32:7-8, KJV).
In addition, Jacob sent ahead a series of gifts—goats, sheep, camels, cows, and donkeys, each with a servant—intended to pacify Esau. Jacob instructed his servants to say, “These be thy servant Jacob’s; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us” (Genesis 32:18, KJV). Jacob hoped that these gifts would soften Esau’s heart.
Finally, Jacob humbled himself before Esau. As Esau approached, Jacob bowed seven times to show respect and submission: “And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother” (Genesis 33:3, KJV). This act of humility, combined with the gifts and his careful planning, helped reconcile the brothers.
The Reconciliation
To Jacob’s relief, Esau embraced him, showing forgiveness. Esau refused the gifts Jacob offered, saying, “I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself” (Genesis 33:9, KJV). The two brothers reconciled, marking an end to years of conflict and rivalry. Jacob then said, “If now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me” (Genesis 33:10, KJV).
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