By Teman Knight
Adjunct Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
JACOB AND ESAU: FAMILY RIVALRY
Genesis 27:35–37, 41; 33:1–4, 8–11
Sibling rivalries are fairly common. While we love our brothers and sisters, many find themselves competing for attention and recognition. Jacob’s and Esau’s different personalities and interests intensified this competitiveness as they grew to adulthood. The favoritism displayed by Isaac and Rebekah only made the whole situation worse.
The twins’ relationship was strained to a breaking point with the selling of the birthright and the giving of the blessing. Esau treated the birthright with contempt when he traded it away for a bowl of stew. He then regretted his hastiness when Jacob also received the blessing. Relationships are often damaged when we seek our own gain or personal agendas. Selfishness has caused the breakup of many relationships. Likewise, humility and selflessness can be critical to restoring and maintaining healthy relationships.
Rivalry and self-centeredness can destroy relationships. (27:35–37, 41)
In biblical times, the firstborn received a double portion of the inheritance. The blessing often included prophetic proclamations about the nature of the recipient and included asking God to provide benefits for their future. This formal birthright blessing was a special one-time event that was tied to the inheritance.
Esau is distraught when he realizes that Isaac cannot give him the same blessing he had given Jacob. The blessing affirms the prophecy given to Rebekah before the twins were born that the older son would serve the younger. Jacob would become the patriarch of the family. Jacob would be blessed with the land and provisions from God.
Esau begs for his father to bless him too. The blessing prophetically describes who Esau is and what his future will hold. He will serve his brother and live by the sword. Esau will dwell away from the land and live as a wanderer. Esau, hurt and angry over the loss of the blessing, determines to hold his brother responsible. He plans to murder his brother after his father’s death. The two brothers destroy their relationship because of their selfishness and possessions.
Displaying humility is necessary for rebuilding relationships. (33:1–4)
After living 20 years in exile because of the rift between him and his brother, Jacob finally returns home to the land God promised. He is worried over how his brother will respond to him. This fear is only intensified when he hears that his brother is approaching with 400 men.
Jacob sends a large gift of cattle ahead to his brother and then leads his family to meet Esau. Jacob bows down seven times before his brother as he approaches. Bowing once would be a sign of humility; bowing seven times demonstrates the completeness of that humility. Esau runs to meet Jacob and greets him with a hug. Both men weep. With humility, the brothers are able to tear down the barriers that selfishness and deceit had built between them.
Humbly accept efforts by others to restore a relationship. (8–11)
Esau meets Jacob’s family and then inquires about the gift Jacob had sent. Esau refuses the gift as unnecessary, but Jacob insists that he take it and Esau finally relents.
Jacob concludes, “For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing God’s face, since you have accepted me.”
This reminds us that we never look more like our Heavenly Father than when we humble ourselves and forgive others. As believers may we become the peacemakers and reconcilers that God has called His children to be.
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