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Continuation of the covenant: Jacob & Esau POWERPOINT 6A. Jacob & Esau - Gen 25:19-34 (Birth of Jacob and Esau; Esau gives birthright). Explain the name of Esau/Edom (see notes in Bible) “ Esau” related to hairy; “Edom” related to “ red.”
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Jacob & Esau - Gen 25:19-34(Birth of Jacob and Esau; Esau gives birthright) Explain the name of Esau/Edom (see notes in Bible) • “Esau” related to hairy; “Edom” related to “red.” • Esauthe eldest son (twin) of Isaac & Rebekah is hairy: the name comes in part from his hairiness; • Esau is also called Edom, and is patriarch of the Edomites: this relates to the color “red” (possibility: the region of Edom was known for red soil) • It seems that Esau, “a hairy man,” had red hair and/or a ruddy complexion.
Jacob & Esau - Gen 25:19-34(Birth of Jacob and Esau; Esau gives birthright) Explain the name of Jacob. How does he get his name (summarize the stories)? • The name “Jacob” (who is the younger twin brother of Esau) is related to the word “heel”: • Jacob he “takes by the heal” or “he supplants” (takes the place of) Esau his older brother. • Two things happen: • (1) at birth, Jacob grabs the heelof his older twin (Esau), • (2) and then later, Jacob supplants (takes the place of) Esau, getting his birthright and then his blessing.
Jacob & Esau - Gen 25:19-34(Birth of Jacob and Esau; Esau gives birthright) How do personality differences between Esau and Jacob come into play in the birthright story? • Jacob stays at home and Esau works in the fields as a hunter; • Jacob more of a thinker; Esau seems more of a brute; • Jacob seems to have a larger perspective on things; Esau seems more self-interested and impatient; • Jacob seems more crafty, reflective, intelligent; Esau seems naïve or narrow-minded; • BUT: does all that really matter? The bottom line: Jacob is the one chosen by God to continue the covenant; Esau is not.
The BlessingGen 27:1-28:5 What is Rebekah’s motivation in helping Jacob steal the blessing (note: a “human” level and a “divine” level)? (1) She favors Jacob – human level; emotionally (2) She is aware that God favors Jacob and is accomplishing what God wanted done – divine level, “religiously” NOTE: • This awareness is based on her revelation that “the elder shall serve the younger.” (Gen 25:23); • It is also based in her commitment to God’s plan, as a descendant of Abraham
The BlessingGen 27:1-28:5 • List some of the evidence at the blessing that Isaac may know that it was Jacob and not Esau: • He asks so many times? (seems to doubt but does not easily prove who it is) • He falls for the goat skin trick? (not likely) • The voice is Jacob’s (couldn’t he hear?) • He favors the eldest? (Maybe, but he has personal experience with the younger being blessed!) • Rejects Esau whom he loves?: (maybe the ruse allows him to let Esau down more easily: it is God’s will – maybe Isaac sees it too)
Gen 25:19-34; 27:1-28:5(Birth of Jacob and Esau; Esau gives birthright; Jacob steals blessing) How do Esau & Jacob resemble Ishmael & Isaac? • Isaac loved Esau more, Rebekah loved Jacob more; (this is similar to how Abraham loved Ishmael but Sarah loved Isaac) • The younger supplants the older: just as when Isaac was the chosen one for the covenant. • Esau is “blessed” by Isaac, that he will “break his yoke from your neck,” indicating he will not have to serve Jacob and will have his own nation (given descendants like Ishmael, who is also blessed by the Lord) • The one God has chosen prevails (Isaac, Jacob - often the one you would not expect – later: David, Jesus).
