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Jacob And Esau

by Chris Simmons

Editor’s Note:

The Bible is not a collection of disjointed stories and antidotes, but is in fact an unveiling of God’s plan to redeem man from his sins. As Bible students endeavor to understand God’s will, it’s important to have a framework in which they understand the context of the stories and accounts contained in the Bible. We are attempting to present a series of articles that will help Bible students, young and old, to have such a framework that will help us to see the “big picture” as we study the individual accounts of God’s word. Thus far, we have started “in the beginning” with the creation of all things, the fall of man and God’s first prophecy of hope (Genesis 3:15). We have looked at their children, Cain and Abel, and our first example of what it means to walk “by faith.” Next we studied Noah and his faithfulness in a world consumed by sin. For the last two weeks, the studies have focused on Abraham and the relationship between belief, obedience and righteousness and then the foundational promises (land, nation and seed) that God gave to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3). Today, we will look to the offspring of Abraham, his grandsons Jacob and Esau.


The promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) were repeated to his son Isaac (Genesis 26:3-4) as God reminded Isaac of what would come through his seed. Isaac married Rebekah and after some period of time in which Rebekah was barren (nearly 22 years), Isaac’s prayers (Genesis 25:21) were answered and she became pregnant with twin sons. The Lord explained to her regarding these sons, “Two nations are in your womb; and two peoples shall be separated from your body; and one people shall be stronger than the other; and the older shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23). At the time of delivery, Esau came first and Jacob followed meaning God had chosen that Esau would be subservient to his brother Jacob. God said two nations would come from the two sons – but only one would be the nation of promise to Abraham.

We read in Malachi 1:2-3 that “I have loved Jacob; but I have hated Esau.” What does this mean? It is not teaching that God harbored anger and animosity towards Esau nor does it establish that God approved of everything that Jacob would do in his life. Rather, it simply illustrates God’s sovereign right to determine how He would bring about His plan to save man. In an article by Joe Price, I believe he expressed well this point when he said, “God made a choice of one (Jacob, along with his descendants) and not the other (Esau and his descendants) to fulfill the divine purposes of God (Messiah, etc.) … God’s choice was not regarding their salvation, but their place in accomplishing the divine purposes of human redemption (sending Christ into the world).” This is what Paul stated in Romans 9:10-13, “And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; for though the twins were not yet born, and had not done anything good or bad, in order that God's purpose according to His choice might stand, not because of works, but because of Him who calls, it was said to her, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ Just as it is written, ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’” It was God’s choice that the promise of redemption come through the lineage of Jacob and not Esau, just as it was God’s choice that all men be saved in the same way, through faith and obedience in the gospel. Acts 15:7, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.” We need to learn and appreciate from Jacob and Esau the message of God’s sovereign rule. God is the potter and we are the clay. Jeremiah 18:5-8, “Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?’ declares the Lord. ‘Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel. At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot, to pull down, or to destroy it.’”

The other important aspect to note are the events that led to Jacob receiving the birthright and blessings of His father Isaac. It began in Genesis chapter 25 when Esau returned from working in the fields and he was “famished” (weary) and was in need of some nourishment. Jacob had cooked some food (“red stuff” (NASB), “red stew” (NKJV), “lentil stew” (verse 34)) and Esau asked for some from his brother. Jacob asked for Esau to sell him his birthright in return and Esau did so as he reasoned “Behold I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?” It is said that trading the blessing of his birthright for a single meal illustrated how he truly “despised” such a valuable blessing (verse 34). What a horrible decision Esau made and how he regretted it later (Hebrews 12:17). May we never make such short-sighted decisions in our life that we eternally regret.

In making his decision, Esau chose the physical and sensual over that which is spiritual. He allowed a fleshly mindset to rule rather than a spiritual mindset (Romans 8:5-8) and when we do that, we “cannot please God.” Esau’s mind certainly wasn’t set on the “things above” (Colossians 3:1-2) when he was sowing to “his own flesh” (Galatians 6:8). Secondly, he chose the here and now over that which the future held for him. Satan continues to tempt the faithful man to trade divine promises “to come” in the future, for human rewards in the present moment (cf. Hebrews 11:20; 13:14). Third, Esau chose that which is fleeting and temporary over that which is lasting and eternal. A meal which would benefit him for just a few hours versus a birthright without expiration (I Peter 1:4). Moses is an example of one who did not do as Esau did but rather chose that which was to come and which is eternal over something that would please him but for a moment. Hebrews 11:24-26, “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin; considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.” We do the same thing today as Esau did whenever we choose the temporal pleasures of fleshly lust (i.e. the “passing pleasures of sin”) over our hope of an eternal reward with God in heaven as “fellow heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). For this reason, Esau, and those who make similar choices today, is described as “godless” (NASB) or “profane” (KJV & ASV). This word is defined as “that which lacks all relationship or affinity to God” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words). We sacrifice our relationship and fellowship with God whenever we choose to pursue the lusts of men over the will of God (I Peter 4:2).

So a study of Jacob and Esau is really a study about choices. About God’s choice that the Messiah would come through the lineage of Jacob and about our choice whether to seek after the deferred spiritual rewards that God has promised or the immediate satisfaction of the lust’s of our flesh.

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