008 Jacob and Esau - A Bible Story for Children

Genesis 25:19-34;27:1-45

Isaac and Rebecca lived together happily. They prayed to God that they would have children, but not until Isaac was sixty years old were their prayers answered.

When Rebecca felt life growing inside her, she also felt fighting and kicking, as if a terrible struggle were going on inside her womb. "Why is this happening?" she asked God, for the pain was very great.

Then God said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two separate peoples will be born from your body. One will be stronger than the other, and the firstborn child will serve the younger."

In time, Rebecca gave birth to twin boys. The firstborn, Esau, was all red and hair. The second, named Jacob, was hairless and pink, and was born holding Esau's heel in his hand. As the firstborn son, Esau was to become head of the household after Isaac's death. This was Esau's birthright, and it made Isaac glad, because Esau was his favorite.

Esau grew up to become a fine hunter and always brought fresh meat for his father's dinner. Jacob, though, stayed home most of the time to help his mother, who loved him best.

One day, Esau came home from hunting early, just as Jacob was cooking pottage, a thick bean soup. Esau caught nothing that morning, and was very tired. The smell of the soup made him feel so hungry he thought he would die.

"Give me some of your pottage," he cried. "I must have something to eat right away."

Jacob thought for a moment. "Give me your birthright," he said, "and I will give you food."

Esau was so exhausted he could think of nothing but the thick red pottage. "What good is my birthright to me if I die of hunger before I can use it? You can have it, only give med something to eat!"

"Swear to God first," said Jacob.

So Esau swore before God that he would give his birthright to Jacob. Only then did Jacob give his brother a bowl of pottage and a piece of bread.

Esau ate his lunch, and returned to the fields, never thinking how cheaply he had sold his precious birthright.

Many years later, when Isaac was very old and his eyes were dim, he said to Esau, "My son, I may die any day now. Please take your bow and arrow into the fields, and bring me some fresh meat. Then cook it the special way I like it, so I can eat it before I die, and give you my blessing."

Now Rebecca overheard Isaac as he spoke to Esau. When Esau left, she told Jacob, her favorite son, everything that Isaac had said. Then she said to Jacob, "Listen carefully, and do exactly what I tell you. Kill two young goats from our flock, and bring the meat and skins to me. After I cook the meat the special way your father likes, take it to him and he will bless you instead of your brother."

"But, mother," Jacob argued, "Esau is covered with hair, and I am not. Suppose my father touches me, and finds out who I really am. Then he will curse me instead of blessing me."

"The curse will be upon me," said Rebecca. "Just do as I tell you."

So Jacob killed the two goats, and brought the meat and skins to his mother. Quickly Rebecca cooked the special meat for Isaac and gave it to Jacob to serve to him. But first she dressed Jacob in Esau's clothes, and put the goatskins on his neck and hands so that he would feel hairy.

"Who are you?" asked Isaac, when Jacob brought him the meat.

Jacob answered, "I am Esau, your firstborn son, and I brought you the special meat you asked for. Eat it, father, and then give me your blessing."

"How did you get the meat so fast?" Isaac asked.

"The Lord brought it to me," answered Jacob.

Then Isaac said, "Come closer to me, so I can feel whether you are truly my son Esau." And Isaac touched Jacob's hands, which felt rough and hairy because of the skins Rebecca had put on them.

Isaac wondered at this. "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau," he said. "Are you really my beloved son Esau?"

And Jacob said, "I am."

Then Isaac ate the meat and blessed his son, saying, "Let all people serve you, and nations bow down to you, for you shall rule this household and be master over your brother."

Jacob had just left Isaac when Esau came back from his hunting. He prepared the special meat for his father and then went to him.

"Father," Esau said, "here is the meat I cooked for you. Eat it, so that you may give me your blessing."

"Who are you?" Isaac cried.

"What is the matter?" Esau asked. "I am Esau, for firstborn son."

And Isaac became very upset, and asked, "Then who was it that brought me meat, and I ate it all and blessed him?"

With a bitter cry, Esau begged, "Bless me, too, father."

Sorrowfully, Isaac said, "Your brother Jacob tricked me. I gave him the blessing I meant for you."

Then Esau became angry at Jacob, and said, "My brother was born with his hand on my heel, and twice he has made me stumble. First he took away my birthright, and now he has taken my blessing. Father, have you not saved a blessing for me, too?"

"I have already given Jacob power over you, and made him the head of this household," Isaac answered. "What can I give you?"

"Have you just one blessing?" asked Esau, and he wept. "Is there nothing at all for me?"

Then Isaac said, "All I can leave you is the fat of the land to live on, and the dew from the heavens above. My son, you must live by your sword, and serve your brother. But the time will come when Jacob is no longer your master."

And Esau hated Jacob, and said to himself, "My father will die someday, and when the time for his mourning is over, I will kill Jacob."

Category: Children's Bible Stories