Both Jacob and Esau were fathers of nations. God changed Jacob's name to Israel (Genesis 32:28), and he became the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. Esau's descendants were the Edomites (Genesis 36).
Edom was a nation that plagued Israel in later years and was finally judged by God (Obadiah 1:1-21). Jacob's line would ultimately lead to the Messiah (Matthew 1:2; Luke 3:34). Romans 9:10-13 affirms the significance of Jacob and Esau's story in revealing God's sovereignty and election.
Paul quotes from Malachi 1:2-3 to illustrate that God's purposes do not hinge on human merit but on His divine choice. The enmity between Jacob and Esau is a significant narrative in the biblical account of the patriarchs, found primarily in the book of Genesis. The relationship between Jacob and Esau is, no doubt, one of the more colorful stories of Scripture.
The twins are continually seen at odds, with Jacob winning out over his older brother time and. Jacob and Esau Hendrick ter Brugghen, Esau Selling His Birthright, c. 1627.
The biblical Book of Genesis speaks of the relationship between fraternal twins Jacob and Esau, sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Bible Story of Jacob and Esau Jacob and Esau were twin brothers born to Isaac and Rebekah. The Bible tells us that they struggled together in Rebekah's womb, a foreshadowing of their troubled relationship.
Esau was born first and thereby became legal heir to the family birthright which included, among other things, being heir to the Covenant between God and Abraham. This birthright was a link. Christ came through the genealogy of Isaac and Jacob, as found in Matthew 1:2, "Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers." The Book of Genesis talks of the relationship between fraternal twins Jacob and Esau, sons of Isaac and Rebekah.
Esau and Jacob are two of the most well-known brothers in the Bible, whose story is recorded in the book of Genesis. Their relationship is one of conflict, rivalry, and divine purpose, and it plays a significant role in the narrative of God's covenant with Abraham's descendants. Esau, the older son, and Jacob, the younger son, were the twin sons of Isaac.
The Story of Esau and Jacob is one that is based on God's choice and not on moral superiority. This perplexing story is found in the Book of Genesis (Chapter 27) in the Bible. The major events in the story of Esau and Jacob are (1) Esau selling his birthright to Jacob and (2) Isaac being deceived by Jacob and Rebekah.
Who Were Esau and Jacob? Jacob and Esau, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebecca, were engaged in a power struggle before they were even born. The younger son, Jacob, was an obedient, perfect Torah scholar, while his older brother Esau was a wild, aggressive hunter. The tension between them grew after Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a pot of lentil soup, and culminated when Jacob disguised.