Jacob and Esau by Clifton Angel
Clifton Angel, preacher for the Coldwater church of Christ (MS), steps in to write this guest article for us.
God’s Introduction
And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob … And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob (Genesis 25:22–28, KJV).
Jacob and Esau’s Identification
One day, Esau returned from the field feeling weary unto death. Jacob was cooking and essentially extorted Esau into trading his birthright for a meal (cf. Genesis 25:29– 34). Esau’s birthright entitled him to a greater portion of his father’s inheritance (likely, a double portion, cf. Deuteronomy 21:17); however, it was forfeited to Jacob. Near the end of Isaac’s life, he instructed Esau to hunt and prepare him a meal of venison so that he might commune with him and bless him. Included in this blessing was the conveyance of patriarchal authority within the family, which would require his siblings and relatives to honor him and serve him. Rebekah and Jacob took the opportunity to deceive Isaac into giving Jacob the greater blessing, instead. While Esau was hunting, Rebekah prepared venison and helped disguise her son to have the feel and smell (Isaac’s vision was diminished) of Esau. Isaac gave Jacob the blessing that was due Esau.
Consequently, Esau contemplated murdering Jacob; therefore, Rebekah devised a plan to send Jacob away. (cf. Genesis 27). Many years passed while Jacob served Laban for his daughter Rachel (yet, he was first given Leah). When time for him to return to his homeland and face Esau, he was fearful that Esau would kill him. After pleading with God in prayer and devising a plan to protect a portion of his family in the event Esau attacked him, and angel (cf. Hosea 12:3–4, possibly Pre-Incarnate Christ) approached him as a man and wrestled with him through the night. God allowed Jacob to prevail the majority of the fight, but in the end he disabled Jacob by just a touch of his thigh. God then caused Jacob to confess his name “Jacob,” which means supplanter and changed his name to “Israel” which 1 means “striver” or “prince.” This occasion was so significant that God enabled Jacob to see that true strength and success does not come by deception, subtlety, and supplanting, which he had been doing all of his life; rather, it comes by entrusting his “wrestlings” to the hands of God (cf. Genesis 32). In the end, Esau was happy to reunite with Jacob with no ill will toward him (cf. Genesis 33).
Our Impression
Lessons for us abound. Nepotism never nourishes (cf. Genesis 25:28; Ephesians 6:1– 4). Deception is a device of the devil, not Deity (cf. Genesis 25:29–34; Genesis 27; John 8:44; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). Counting the costs saves (cf. Genesis 25:29–34; Hebrews 12:12–16; Luke 14:25–35). Wrestling alongside of God instead of against God proves victorious (cf. Genesis 32; Corinthians 15:57–58; 2 Timothy 4:6–8; Revelation 2:10).
Thank you to brother Clifton Angel for this excellent article!