Jacob and esau tale of 2 brothers

JACOB & ESAU A Tale of 2 Brothers

INTRODUCTION After Abraham’s death the Lord confirmed the same covenant with his son Isaac.

Isaac was forty when Abraham’s servant brought him Rebekah to be his wife.

Like Sarah, Rebekah was also barren Isaac entreated God for her and she became pregnant with twins.

A STRUGGLE FROM THE START While Rebekah carried the twins in her womb, they struggled and fought against each other, so much so, that she wondered how she remained alive.

God told her that there were two nations within her and that the elder would serve the younger.

TWO BABY BOYS When it was time for Rebekah to deliver, the first baby was red and hairy. He was named Esau.

The second baby came out holding on to the heel of Esau. He was smooth all over. His name was called Jacob.

Did you know that the name Jacob means to “supplant?”

The word “supplant” means to supersede or take the place of because of superior excellence or power.

MEN CUT OF A DIFFERENT FABRIC As the boys grew into men, they led very different lives.

Esau was an excellent hunter and was favored by his father, Isaac.

In the scriptures, it stated that Jacob dwelt in tents and was favored by his mother Rebekah What is more important, is that God loved Jacob but hated Esau. Why?

JACOB I LOVE BUT ESAU I HATE Simply put, Jacob was righteous and Esau was wicked. Despite popular belief, God does not love everybody. He loves his children who choose to obey him. Jacob was his child.

But there is more to it than that. God chose one family to build a holy nation of people upon whom he would establish his covenant. This nation was Israel and began with Abraham.

As we know, God confirmed the same covenant he established with Abraham, with Isaac his son.

Though Isaac had twin boys, it was Jacob NOT Esau, who God had chosen to carry the seed of his holy nation and to have the birthright.

A BIRTHRIGHT FOR SALE What is a birthright?

A birthright is a particular right of possession or privilege that one has from birth.

Traditionally, the eldest son would receive the birthright and assume the responsibilities as head of the household after his father died.

He would also inherit the greater portion of his father's wealth and property. This birthright also would include the role of priest in the family.

FIRSTBORN BLESSING Esau thought little of his birthright. He loved the wealth and honor bestowed upon the eldest but hated the responsibility so he sold his birthright to Jacob for food.

When Isaac was old and blind, Rebekah told Jacob to tell his father that he was Esau so that his father could bless him.

This was the will of God. The blessing of the father extended throughout his generation to the end of time.

Isaac was blind in a sense to the wickedness of Esau seeing only his strong first born son who was a great hunter.

FIRSTBORN BLESSING To aid Jacob in getting the firstborn blessing, Rebekah prepared savoury meat for Isaac.

She took garments of Esau and placed them on Jacob and put goat skins upon his hands and neck so that he would feel hairy like his older brother.

Jacob went to his father Isaac, bringing him the meat.

When Isaac heard his son speak, he recognize his voice to be Jacob.

However, Jacob let Isaac feel his hands.

Because of the goat skins that were used, Jacob felt hairy like Esau, leading Isaac to believe that this was his firstborn son.

JACOB’S BLESSING “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)

ESAU’S BLESSING When Esau came in afterwards to receive the blessing it was too late.

He cried to his father and begged him to bless him also.

So Isaac blessed Esau too.

ESAU’S 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)

TWO DIFFERENT BLESSINGS

The blessing of Jacob and Esau were different from each other. How so? Why is this important to us today?

JACOB’S BLESSING Jacob represents the nation of Israel as a whole and not only that, but All righteous in the world (Jews and Gentiles).

His blessing has a 3-part meaning.

First, it pointed to the time when Israel was once a great nation during ANCIENT days.

Second, it specifically refers to the redemption of Israel as a firstborn nation during the LAST days And finally, it includes God’s holy word and his blood, which preserves and prepares all of his children for salvation, whether Jew or Gentile.

GOD GIVE THEE THE “FATNESS OF THE EARTH” First, the "fatness of this earth" represents the wealth and riches Israel once had in this world before they were conquered by wicked nations.

God not only blessed Israel with his holy laws, but he also blessed them with beauty, wealth, riches and great prosperity in this earth.

Consider King Solomon, who was the richest and wisest King of Israel. During his time, Israel was at its peak of prosperity.

This is because Israel was God’s firstborn nation and he had established a covenant with them, beginning with Abraham.

However, Israel’s power on this earth did not last because of their repeated disobedience. They had broken their part of the covenant.

GOD GIVE THEE THE “DEW OF HEAVEN�

Dew is small rain that falls on the ground in the morning, keeping it moist and promoting growth.

Heavenly doctrine or the word of God are liken to dew. When we read the bible it is like dew falling upon us.

This dew or heavenly doctrine refreshes us and revives us. It cleanses the dirt of sin away.

Dew also represents the blessings that God bestows upon us, both for our spiritual AND common needs.

GOD GIVE THEE THE “PLENTY OF CORN” We all have heard of corn. That large grain plant that people to this day argue as to whether it’s a fruit, starch or vegetable!

Whatever its classification, corn is the most widely produced feed grain in the United States, with most of the crop providing the main energy ingredient in livestock feed.

Corn is also processed into a wide range of food and industrial products including fuel ethanol.

GOD GIVE THEE THE “PLENTY OF CORN�

Other examples including toothpaste, jams, jellies, sauces, marinades, cereals, condiments, canned fruits and vegetables get there start from corn!

Given these factors, are society and its economy would not be able to function without corn.

GOD GIVE THEE THE “PLENTY OF CORN�

Corn can also be likened to the word of God. And just as our economy would not be able to thrive without corn, we cannot spiritually thrive without the word of God. Corn as a food nourishes us and provides our bodies with many health benefits.

We must think of the word as our spiritual food. It nourishes us, helping us grow and fully mature in the truth.

GOD GIVE THEE THE “PLENTY OF WINE�

The wine represents the blood of Christ.

When we think in common terms, the blood flowing in our bodies is absolutely vital because it: Provides nutrition and respiration of tissues.

Takes waste away from the body and brings it to the bladder & bowels.

Regulates and coordinates chemically in the body.

Regulates the heat of the body and it defends the body against infection.

Blood is also a defense against death coming into the body.

GOD GIVE THEE THE “PLENTY OF WINE” Unlike man, the life that is in the blood of Jesus is eternal.

When his blood was spilled to the ground, grace was granted to ALL mankind, that is, the opportunity and time to repent for our sins and obey.

As we can see, not all people on this earth are obedient to God’s laws.

GOD GIVE THEE THE “PLENTY OF WINE�

But for those who choose to obey, his blood is a source for eternal life.

The blood of Christ feeds the spirit, providing nutrition.

It provides the breath of life to every part of us.

It removes all waste matter or anything contrary to the laws of God that would harm us spiritually.

It heals us of sin and death which is the disease of the spirit.

“LET NATIONS BOW TO THEE” This part of Jacob’s blessing speaks specifically of Israel’s past AND future.

As mentioned before, Israel was once a great nation with much power, beauty and wealth. This was all taken away because of their disobedience.

“LET NATIONS BOW TO THEE” During the last days, God will redeem Israel, revealing his chosen people to the entire world.

He will get Israel fame amongst all the nations and people from every kindred will cling to them because they will have the word of God. They will be revealed as God’s firstborn nation and will receive a double portion of the blessings of salvation because they have the birthright.

“LET NATIONS BOW TO THEE” Isaiah 61: 3 & 5-6 “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.”

“LET NATIONS BOW TO THEE” Isaiah 61: 7 & 9

“For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.”

THE BLESSING OF ESAU Esau represents the wicked people in this earth.

In Esau’s blessing, Isaac stated, “behold thy dwelling shall be the fatness of this earth” The wicked have been given this earth to dwell in and they enjoy the pleasures and riches that this world has to offer. These pleasures, the wealth and land are the "fatness of the earth."

THE BLESSING OF ESAU Remember it was stated that dew represents not only his word but the blessings he bestows upon us.

The blessings of God not only fulfill spiritual needs but common needs as well.

God is also merciful to the wicked despite their disobedience.

He has blessed them with wisdom to run the world & to live their common lives.

Think of knowledge that architects have to design a building, doctors to heal or farmers to grow crops. These are not all saints but all of this wisdom and knowledge comes from God.

THE BLESSING OF ESAU Isaac also said to his eldest son, “by the sword thou shalt live�

This means that the wicked nations were in constant battle to rule the world.

This is still going on today, nations engaging in war.

THE BLESSING OF ESAU Isaac said to his eldest son, “"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.�

When Israel was in power they conquered many wicked nations. And these wicked nations (Esau) were indeed in subjection to their brother, Israel (Jacob).

Israel was eventually conquered by wicked nations. We can see that the wicked now have dominion over this world. That is what is meant by breaking "his yoke from off thy neck."

YOKE ON AN OXEN

THE BLESSING OF JACOB VS. THE BLESSING OF ESAU The blessing of Esau or the riches and pleasures of this world will not last forever. These material things will be destroyed with fire as well as this earth.

However, the blessing of Jacob pertains to his holy word, which is eternal and leads to salvation when one takes hold of it.

Jacob’s blessing gives the hope of redemption for Israel and all saints.

If we are to be saved, we must pursue the blessings of Jacob and not the blessings of Esau.

VS.

THE BLESSING OF JACOB VS. THE BLESSING OF ESAU The blessing of Esau or the riches and pleasures of this world will not last forever. These material things will be destroyed with fire as well as this earth.

However, the blessing of Jacob pertains to his holy word, which is eternal and leads to salvation when one takes hold of it.

Jacob’s blessing gives the hope of redemption for Israel and all saints.

If we are to be saved, we must pursue the blessings of Jacob and not the blessings of Esau.

VS.

QUESTIONS? For questions regarding this presentation please contact us via email at info@householdofisrael.org or by phone at 219.949.9308

SPECIAL THANKS

This presentation was developed & narrated by:

Elisabeth C. Pointer