If you grew up on midrash-infused stories than you know that Esau is BAD. But if you read the text, you may be less certain about Esau’s poor reputation. We will take a look at this character that we love to hate, and at his twin brother as well. Just how good is Jacob?

Part I: Birth to Young Adulthood (Gen. 25:21-34)

1. How do you understand the pre-birth prophecy that Rebecca receives regarding her twins?

2. Why is it significant that Esau and Jacob are twins? What is their birth order? Of what significance is it? What is unique about their birth and how does it echo through their lives?

3. Esau’s appearance is stunning enough to warrant a description. Why is their difference in appearance important?

4. What is the profession of each of the twins?

5. How do you understand the parental relations with these two boys/men?

6. Verses 29-34: A transaction takes place between Esau and Jacob. What is traded, and what is your impression of each of the brothers?

Part II: The Blessing (Gen. 26:34-28:9) and Its Aftermath

At the heart of this story is a blessing. What does a blessing mean? A lot more than it does today. A blessing (and a curse) carries real power; it is able to make wishes come true.

As you read through the narrative, pay attention to the descriptive titles that people bear. Whose son are they at any given time, and when are they titled ‘brother’?

1) In your opinion, what blessing did Isaac intend to give Esau, and what did Rebecca expect the blessing to be?

Rebecca was willing to go through great personal risk to ensure that Jacob received the blessing. (In verse 13 she commits to receive any curse that is put on Jacob because he tricked his father). Why did Rebecca not confront Isaac, her husband, about her feelings rather than force Jacob to trick his father and cause Esau to hate him?

2) Is Jacob’s refusal to do as his mother wishes a technical or a moral one? Which is more powerful and why?

Read carefully through Isaac’s words to Jacob-acting-as-Esau in verses 18-27.

3) Did Isaac know that the person in front of him was Jacob? Try to ground you answer in the text.

It is interesting to note that the Hebrew word for garments: בגדים shares its root with the term for treason. Clothing has a sinister ability. (You can also contemplate the English use of turncoat).

4) What is Esau’s reaction and how does Isaac respond? How do you feel about it?

5) What problem does Rebecca try to solve by sending Jacob away?

6) How does Rebecca enlist Isaac’s cooperation in removing Jacob from the house?

Jacob receives a blessing from Isaac before leaving (28:3). Compare it with the previous blessing that Isaac gave (27:27-30).

7) What light, if any, does it shed on the question we opened with – what blessing was Esau supposed to get?

8) The marriages: Who ‘directs’ the marriages? What is the significance of whom they marry?

Think about the trouble that Abraham went through to ensure a proper wife for his son, Isaac. (Genesis 24). Marriage is an alliance. Who does each son align himself with?

At this point of the story, who is the villain?

Closure: They Meet Again – Genesis 33:1-11

Read Genesis 32:4-33:17 to get the full picture.

9) What does Jacob seem to feel as he approaches Canaan after an absence of at least 20 years?

What could be the cause of such feelings? How much do past events play a part in his feelings? How much does his absence (justified as it may have been) cause him to feel like a stranger compare to his brother?

10) How does Esau behave when they finally meet? (Gen 33:4 etc) Does this fit with your expectations of Esau? Was Jacob just paranoid?

If you continue reading to verse 11, you will come across a good bit of irony. What is Jacob asking Esau to take?