3. JACOB
Jacob's father was Isaac and his older twin brother was Esau. He lived around 1700 years before the birth of Jesus
ESAU GIVES UP HIS BIRTHRIGHT. One day when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau
came in after hunting and was very hungry. He asked Jacob for some of the stew.
Jacob would give him some only under the condition that Esau would give him his
birthright. Esau gave him his birthright in exchange for some food. Esau cared
little for his birthright.
JACOB'S DREAM. Jacob, while on his way to his ancestors' homeland to
find a wife and flee his brother's anger, stopped overnight to rest. There he
had a dream of a stairway to heaven. Angels were going up and down it. There God appeared to him and gave him the
promise of many blessings. When he woke up, he called the place Bethel which
became an Israelite shrine.
JACOB MEETS ESAU. As Jacob was returning from his ancestors’ home, he
fearfully prepared to meet his brother Esau who many years ago threatened to
kill him. He saw Esau at a distance with 400 men coming to greet him. Jacob
bowed seven times as he approached his brother. Esau ran to meet him and
embraced him as he wept. Jacob had prepared many gifts for his brother who
accepted them. The two brothers made peace and returned separately to their
homes.
Jacob, though he used deception to gain his brother's birthright and his
father's blessings, finally made peace with him. Jacob's twelve sons
become the Israelite people.
