Isaac and Rebekah had been married for nearly twenty years, but they had no children. Isaac knew the Lord had promised that his father Abraham would have many descendants, so he prayed for the blessing of children. The Lord answered Isaac’s plea. In time Rebekah gave birth to twin boys. The second boy was born holding onto his brother’s heel. The two were very different. The firstborn, whom they named Esau, was reddish, and his body was covered with hair. The younger was smooth-skinned and was named Jacob. As the boys grew, Esau became a clever hunter, spending his days in the fields with his bow, while Jacob worked near the tents where they lived.

One day, while Jacob was cooking a pot of bean soup, Esau came in from hunting. He was weak with hunger, smelling the delicious food, he said to Jacob, “Feed me, please, that soup.” In those days, certain blessings and privileges, which were called the “birthright,” were passed down from father to oldest son. Esau, Isaac’s oldest son, was entitled to the birthright. So Esau said to Jacob, “I am so hungry that I am almost dying. What good would this birthright do me if I were dead?”

“Promise me your birthright,” Jacob said, and Esau made the promise, trading his birthright for a bowl of soup. Caring more for food than for his birthright, Esau ate until he was filled and then went on his way.

Years passed and Isaac grew old. His health was poor, and his eyesight was almost gone. He knew he didn’t have much longer to live upon the earth. As the senior member of his family, Isaac had the right to give the birthright and special blessings to his children. Isaac called his oldest son, Esau, to him and said, “I am old; I know not the day of my death. Now therefore, take your quiver and bow, go out to the field, and take me some venison; and make me good-tasting meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, so that I may eat, so that I may bless you before I die.”

Rebekah overheard her husband speaking to Esau and ran to find Jacob. The Lord had revealed to Rebekah that Jacob was to receive the birthright, but Rebekah knew how much Isaac loved his oldest son and wanted to give these blessings to Esau. Because Esau had not always made right choices, Rebekah knew he was not worthy. He had rejected the teachings of his parents by marrying a daughter of the Canaanites. Rebekah knew by inspiration that Jacob should receive the birthright blessing.

Rebekah told Jacob that Isaac had sent Esau for venison and that he was going to bless Esau after the meal. “Now listen carefully,” said Rebekah, “Go to the flock, and fetch me two young goats. I will make good-tasting meat for your father just as he loves it.”

She then told Jacob he was to take the food to his father. Then Isaac would give Jacob the blessing instead of Esau. However, Jacob said, “Esau is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. My father will feel me and know that I have deceived him. It shall bring a curse upon me and not a blessing.”

Rebekah told Jacob, “Do not worry, but go and do as I have said.”

Jacob hurried out, and when he returned with the two small goats, his mother prepared the good-tasting meat. Rebekah took some of Esau’s clothes and put them on Jacob. She also took the skins of goats and made a hairy covering for his hands and neck. Placing the meat and bread which she had prepared into Jacob’s hands, she sent him to his father.

Isaac looked up, but being nearly blind, he asked, “Who are you?” Jacob replied, “I am Esau, your firstborn; I have done as you did ask. Sit and eat so you may bless me.” Isaac was surprised that he had found the meat so quickly. He reached out: “Come near, that I may feel my son, whether you are my son Esau or not.” Jacob stepped closer; Isaac felt him and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.”

Isaac smelled Esau’s clothing and felt satisfied that it was indeed Esau. Then laying his hands upon Jacob’s head, Isaac blessed him with the birthright, which Esau had traded for a bowl of soup. Isaac blessed Jacob with the good things of the earth and prophesied that his brother would bow down to him and serve him. The same blessing that had been Abraham’s and Isaac’s was given to Jacob. He was to inherit a promised land and have many descendants. Those descendants were to bear the holy priesthood and be a blessing to all nations of the earth.

Soon after Jacob had left the room, Esau returned. He had also prepared good-tasting meat for his father. Esau said, “Let my father arise, and eat of his son’s venison, that I may be blessed.”

Isaac was confused. He cried, “Who are you?”

Esau answered, “I am your son, the firstborn Esau.”

Isaac trembled, “Who? Where is he who brought venison to me? I have already eaten and blessed him.” But Isaac recognized that it was the will of the Lord that Jacob should receive the birthright, so he said, “He shall be blessed.” Esau wept. He had lost the blessings that could have been his because he had not lived to be worthy of them. He begged his father to give him but one blessing.

Isaac laid his hands upon Esau’s head and blessed him that he would live by the sword and would serve his brother. Because of what had happened, Esau hated Jacob and said in his heart, “My father will soon die, and then will I slay my brother Jacob.”

Rebekah found out what Esau had threatened to do and called Jacob to her. She knew that the Lord had a special mission for Jacob, and she wanted to protect him so he could live to perform that mission. She said to Jacob, “Your brother Esau is planning to kill you. Therefore, flee to Laban my brother who lives in Haran. Stay with him until your brother’s anger is turned away, and then I will send for you.” Following his mother’s advice, Jacob left his home. Before he left, Isaac instructed Jacob not to marry any of the daughters of Canaan, but to go to Laban’s home and seek a wife there.

Discussion Questions：

1. What was the blessing that God had promised to Abraham?

2. Describe what kind of personality you think each of the two sons had as they grew up.

3. Do you think it is fair that Jacob received the blessing over Esau?

4. In your opinion, do you think Isaac and Rebekah were good parents?