Jacob 1

^{Jacob 1}

     Isaac & Rebekah had twin boys named Jacob and Esau, and they did not get along. They actually started fighting before they were born! Then during birth Esau came out first, but Jacob was holding onto his heel. They even looked different! The Bible says Esau’s body was covered in so much red hair it was almost like he had clothes on, and Jacob’s skin was smooth. Well, they got even more different as they grew up. Esau hunted animals and spent time outside. Isaac loved meat, so Esau was his favorite. But Jacob was a quiet guy who liked to stay indoors. Rebekah liked Jacob the best. Esau was the oldest. That means he had what was called a “birthright.” That meant Esau would oversee their family, including all their money, land, and possessions. Jacob would probably have to work for his brother, Esau, and their dad Isaac, would give Esau a blessing, which means Isaac would ask God to take care of his oldest son in an extra special way.

    Well, you probably think Esau was excited about this, but he was not. In fact, one day he gave it all up. He just returned from a hunting trip. Since he was outkilling animals all day, he did not have time to eat. He came home starving. Jacob was making stew, so Esau said, “Quick, give me some of that stew! I am very hungry!” Now, Jacob was a little sneaky, so he did not just share the stew with his hungry brother, instead he said, “First, sell me your birthright.” And guess what? Esau said yes! The Bible says Esau did not care about the birthright. But later when Isaac was really old and about to die, he wanted to ask God to take special care of his firstborn, Esau, so he told Esau to go hunting and make him some tasty food, maybe for the last time. Now Esau wanted the birthright, so he left right away to hunt. Meanwhile, Rebekah had heard Isaac and Esau talking, and remembered Jacob was her favorite, she wanted him to get the blessing. So, she did something really sneaky, she told Jacob, “I will prepare tasty food for your father. You take it to your father to eat, and he will give you his blessing before he dies.” Isaac was blind. Rebekah was telling Jacob to pretend he was Esau. But there was a problem with her plan. First off, Esau was hairy and had a certain smell too. Which was a polite way of saying he stunk. Well, Rebekah was sneaky like Jacob. She told Jacob to put sheepskin on his arms and wear some of Esau’s smelly clothes, now Isaac would never know, and even though Isaac wondered why the voice sounded like Jacob, Guess what? The trick worked! Jacob got the blessing. Now Esau would have to work for him. Esau was furious! In fact, Rebekah had to help Jacob run away so Esau would not kill him.

    Jacob messed up big time, but he really did get God’s blessing. Esau even forgave him later. We do not know why God let this happen, but the truth is we all mess up sometimes and God still loves us. He wants us to love Him and love each other!

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Jacob 1 video