God’s People became known as the Israelites. Isaac, Abraham’s son, inherits his father’s position as patriarch of the family. Isaac marries a woman named Rebekah

Jacob and Esau Genesis 25: 19-23 19 This is the account of the family line of Abraham’s son Isaac. Abraham became the father of Isaac, 20 and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram[c] and sister of Laban the Aramean. 21 Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. 22 The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb,
    and two peoples from within you will be separated;
one people will be stronger than the other,
    and the older will serve the younger.”

Jacob and Esau Esau’s name means the hairy one 24 When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. 25 The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau.[d] 26 After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them. Isaac and Rebekah had twin sons: Esau, the elder; Jacob, the younger. Problem: Which son would someday have Isaac’s position as patriarch in the family? Esau, the first born, follows the rule of inheritance. God makes it clear to Rebekah that Jacob is the one to inherit Isaac’s position as patriarch. (Genesis 25-23) Esau’s name means the hairy one Jacob’s name means “one who supplants” in other words he is a trickster he changes one thing for another

God’s People became known as the Israelites. Jacob has to overturn the man-made rules of inheritance by being a “trickster”. In Genesis 25:27-34, Jacob tricks Esau into selling him his birthright for a bowl of lentil stew. Birthright is the natural right to inherit the father’s property.

God’s People became known as the Israelites. 29 Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. 30 He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” 31 Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” 32 “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” 33 But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.

God’s People became known as the Israelites. In Genesis 27:1-46, with the help of Rebekah, Jacob pretends to be Esau and tricks Isaac, who is blind and elderly, into giving him the blessing that Esau had the right to. Rebekah tells Isaac to kill 2 goats to give to Isaac for food so that Isaac would give Jacob the blessing. Isaac put on his arms the goat skins so that hisblind father (Isaac) could feel his arms and see that he was hairy. Jacob tricked his father into thinking he was Esau Esau vows to get revenge and wants to kill Jacob. Rebekah tells Jacob to flee to the land of Haran modern day Syria

God Chose Abraham to be the Father of His People Iraq Iran

Jacob marries, has many children and became rich. On his way to Haran, Jacob has a dream which he sees a great staircase leading to heaven and God speaks to Jacob: God tells Jacob that he is with him, protecting him. Promises to return Jacob to this land and give it to him and his descendants, who will be as plentiful as the dust of the earth. Jacob and descendants of all nations on Earth shall find blessings. Jacob’s life in Haran is difficult but Jacob has the one quality that was crucial to living out the covenant: determination OR perseverance – never giving up. Jacob marries, has many children and became rich. Biblical writer’s way of showing God’s people were blessed.

God renews the covenant with Jacob and changes his name to Israel. Jacob decides to go back to Canaan after 20 years to reconcile with Esau God renews the covenant with Jacob and changes his name to Israel. Changing his name is a symbolic way to show that God’s people had grown and could be distinguished by name: The Israelites

Review Questions!!  What quality did Jacob have that enabled him to live out the covenant? How did Jacob get the birthright that belonged to Esau? What is the significance of God changing Jacob’s name to Israel? What 3 promises did God make to Jacob?