Commentary on the story of Jacob and Esau?

[dilleachta]

A friend brought up the story of Jacob and Esau from Genesis 25 recently and asked for an explanation of why God would bless Jacob and not Esau when it seemed obvious that Jacob (and his mother) were being so sinful and directly seeking to wrong Esau.

The topic arose after my friend mentioned that a major point of separation in Islam belief from Christianity began with the story of Jacob and Esau. I’m unfamiliar with this but it got us talking about that particular story in the Bible and what it meant.

Just curious what the Catholic commentary/interpretation of this story would be.

Thank you!!

 

[jcrichton]

A friend brought up the story of Jacob and Esau from Genesis 25 recently and asked for an explanation of why God would bless Jacob and not Esau when it seemed obvious that Jacob (and his mother) were being so sinful and directly seeking to wrong Esau.

The topic arose after my friend mentioned that a major point of separation in Islam belief from Christianity began with the story of Jacob and Esau. I’m unfamiliar with this but it got us talking about that particular story in the Bible and what it meant.

Just curious what the Catholic commentary/interpretation of this story would be.

Thank you!!

Hi!

It is an interesting passage… while I understand that Islam’s view differs, your friend must be thinking of Isaac and Ismael since their take is on the lineage of Ismael rather than Isaac.

…still, while on the surface it seems that Jacob and his mother have swindled Esau there is a much deeper plot unfolding here; it all boils down to God’s Authority–since Esau was the first born (yes even a few minutes counts) he would inherit the Promise and the Blessing that came with it:

18 Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.[a] 19 For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” (Genesis 18:18-19)

Yet, the Promise was made by God and it is He Who Knows and Determines how His Power and Authority is to be distributed; as it happens God Chose Jacob even before the twins were conceived:

10 Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. 11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” (Romans 9:10-13)

Now, God being Omniscient and Just allows things to develop as naturally as possible:
a) Esau is born first
b) Jacob is born second–holding on to his brother’s heal (Jacob in Hebrew means he deceives
c) Esau grew up into a hunter and Jacob a homeboy
d) Esau took on wives from amongst non-Hebrews
e) Esau traded his birthright for a meal which Jacob was glad to provide
f) Jacob was helped by his mom to deceive the elder Isaac who proceeded to give him the Blessing. (Genesis 25:19-34, 26:34, 27:1-45)

Hope this helps!

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[RPRPsych]

Hi!

It is an interesting passage… while I understand that Islam’s view differs, your friend must be thinking of Isaac and Ismael since their take is on the lineage of Ismael rather than Isaac.

…still, while on the surface it seems that Jacob and his mother have swindled Esau there is a much deeper plot unfolding here; it all boils down to God’s Authority–since Esau was the first born (yes even a few minutes counts) he would inherit the Promise and the Blessing that came with it:

Yet, the Promise was made by God and it is He Who Knows and Determines how His Power and Authority is to be distributed; as it happens God Chose Jacob even before the twins were conceived:

Now, God being Omniscient and Just allows things to develop as naturally as possible:
a) Esau is born first
b) Jacob is born second–holding on to his brother’s heal (Jacob in Hebrew means he deceives
c) Esau grew up into a hunter and Jacob a homeboy
d) Esau took on wives from amongst non-Hebrews
e) Esau traded his birthright for a meal which Jacob was glad to provide
f) Jacob was helped by his mom to deceive the elder Isaac who proceeded to give him the Blessing. (Genesis 25:19-34, 26:34, 27:1-45)

Hope this helps!

Maran atha!

Angel

Excellent explanation. I think the key points are (d) and (e), which show that Esau took his responsibilities as first-born and heir to the promise very lightly.

 

[Mintaka]

The other thing you have to look at is how the entire story played out.

Esau, Jacob, Rebecca, and Isaac were all idiots, at the beginning. (Although Isaac at least had the excuse that he was dying… but he caused a lot of the trouble by his favoritism.)

Through a lot of rough experiences and the passage of time, Jacob and Esau both learned to love each other and forgive each other. (Although Jacob was still stuck with two feuding wives, who taught him just how annoying his own feuding with Esau must have been, and a father-in-law who was just as tricky and deceitful as himself, and sons who also feuded and tricked each other, and…)

Esau and Jacob both ended up achieving their dreams and being blessed by God. Jacob, who had a harder life and grew more (mostly because of self-created problems from his own trickiness, and having to learn to face things straight on instead of trying to trick his way through life) ended up with more scars and more knowledge of God. He wanted the blessing, and he got it good and hard. (Right in the leg, actually.)

 

[dilleachta]

Now, God being Omniscient and Just allows things to develop as naturally as possible:
a) Esau is born first
b) Jacob is born second–holding on to his brother’s heal (Jacob in Hebrew means he deceives
c) Esau grew up into a hunter and Jacob a homeboy
d) Esau took on wives from amongst non-Hebrews
e) Esau traded his birthright for a meal which Jacob was glad to provide
f) Jacob was helped by his mom to deceive the elder Isaac who proceeded to give him the Blessing. (Genesis 25:19-34, 26:34, 27:1-45)

Angel

Excellent explanation. I think the key points are (d) and (e), which show that Esau took his responsibilities as first-born and heir to the promise very lightly.

Thank you, this helps a lot!!!

 

[dilleachta]

Esau and Jacob both ended up achieving their dreams and being blessed by God. Jacob, who had a harder life and grew more (mostly because of self-created problems from his own trickiness, and having to learn to face things straight on instead of trying to trick his way through life) ended up with more scars and more knowledge of God. He wanted the blessing, and he got it good and hard. (Right in the leg, actually.)

Very well put, thank you!

 

[jcrichton]

Excellent explanation. I think the key points are (d) and (e), which show that Esau took his responsibilities as first-born and heir to the promise very lightly.

Hi,
I concur!

On the surface it seems that Esau was maligned by both his brother and mother; but, when we look deeper into the story (trading his firstborn rights and marrying the Hittites) we can come to understand why God Chose Jacob over him; conversely, I find that many of us mirror Esau’s attitude as we trade our Faith and Salvation (our Relationship with God) for the trinkets and whistles that the world has to offer.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[RPRPsych]

Hi,
I concur!

On the surface it seems that Esau was maligned by both his brother and mother; but, when we look deeper into the story (trading his firstborn rights and marrying the Hittites) we can come to understand why God Chose Jacob over him; conversely, I find that many of us mirror Esau’s attitude as we trade our Faith and Salvation (our Relationship with God) for the trinkets and whistles that the world has to offer.

Maran atha!

Angel

Sad but true.

I think the whole narrative is an excellent example of Divine foreknowledge.

 

[SirEwenii]

God didn’t choose Jacob because he was better than Esau, though Esau was brutish and made light of his birth-rite Jacob spent most of his life as a lying scheming selfish man.

Paul explains this in Romans:
And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

God chose Jacob. Why? We don’t know, he would not have been my choice, mystery of God calling people is he often chooses the runt of the litter and the one poorly equipped to do his work. Don’t we see that time and time again?

 

[jcrichton]

Sad but true.

I think the whole narrative is an excellent example of Divine foreknowledge.

Hi,

…it is my understanding; God exists outside of time (linear time); the past, present and future are known to Him as NOW–we find in Scriptures, specifically those passages where Yahweh is Revealing Himself, that God emphasizes that He is the Only God and as proof He let us know (reveals to man) things to come before they happen so that we may know of His Omniscience and Power.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jcrichton]

God didn’t choose Jacob because he was better than Esau, though Esau was brutish and made light of his birth-rite Jacob spent most of his life as a lying scheming selfish man.

Paul explains this in Romans:
And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

God chose Jacob. Why? We don’t know, he would not have been my choice, mystery of God calling people is he often chooses the runt of the litter and the one poorly equipped to do his work. Don’t we see that time and time again?

Hi,
I hate to argue and contradict people so many times I let things go… but this is the second time this thought has emerged…

We get so caught up sometimes that we fail to see beyond the surface… true Jacob name means deceiver or trickster (Hebrew) but this does not define the man.

Esau chose to be a hunter… his blood churned for the chase and the thrill/danger of the hunt. Jacob was a homebody–he probably began to experiment with his mom’s recipes and became and adept cook; so when hunger overtook the hunter the cook took advantage of his skill and proposed a trade. Surely, a skillful hunter could cook up something… but chef boy probably made a killing with his skills.

Now, here’s the beauty of it all: God had chosen Jacob rather than Esau to receive the Promise so it plays to God’s Determination that the hunter relinquished his firstborn rights.

So for the price of a meal Jacob becomes the firstborn.

As time progresses we find Esau in his forties and taking wives from amongst the Hittites–this grieves the parents but Esau is steadfast in his “choice” and took further wives from amongst the Canaanites.

On the flipside, Jacob in his self-exile (his brother was threatening to kill him) following his mother’s advice sought refuse with her brother and once there fell for a woman from their clan. His future father-in-law orchestrated 14 years of free labor (tricked Jacob into marrying both his older and younger daughter–in exchange for 7 year’s labor per each).

As one of the premises of the marriage arrangement (contract) Jacob would be allowed to keep a number of the animals born in his care. But his father-in-law continue to change the contract… yet, Yahweh God continued to bless Jacob who engineered a system to get his father-in-law goat!

Finally, Jacob returned home. Fully aware of his brother anger he decided to make a generous offering of his servants and goods; Esau’s anger had subsided and as he had forgiven Jacob he welcomed him back.

We can see how God Foreknowledge led Him to prefer Jacob over Esau right from their mother’s womb. Though neither seem to be bad men, Esau did not seriously value the firstborn rights and obstinately chose wives from amongst those rejected by his parents (a foreshadow of Israel’s adulterous affairs with the various pagan people and gods that lived in their surroundings.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[AmbroseSJ]

Angel has already posted some excellent points, but I will add one more from a post of mine several weeks ago:

re: The parable of the Prodigal Son: I just read a very good sermon by John Henry Newman for the 4th Sunday of Lent, which addresses this parable very helpfully.

First of all, many commentators hold that in the Near East, in the time of Our Lord, asking one’s father for his inheritance is not so unusual, or damnable (as it may appear to modern ears.)

Second of all, Newman CONTRASTS the contrition of the Prodigal Son with Esau: Saying the Prodigal Son exhibits proper contrition whereas Esau exhibited none.

IOW, the Prodigal Son, admits he has lost his birthright by his foolish behavior, yet wishes to re-enter the safety and goodness of his father’s house. He tells his father he knows he can no longer be his son, but that he would just like to be a lowly servant.

Esau, by contrast, sells his birthright to Jacob with little regard, because he wants some of what Jacob has cooked up, and he (Esau) is hungry. IOW, Esau sold his birthright negligently and foolishly. Then Newman compares how Esau goes to his Father Jacob, as if everything is the same (but he has displeased God by his selling of his birthright.) This is in stark contrast to the Prodigal Son. In both cases we know the outcome. So it is obvious that the Prodigal Son is WORTHY of our emulation and should be seen as a lesson for us.

How often do we lose our birthright (by Baptism) and yet pretend that everything is just fine, and matters not? Are we like the Prodigal Son, or Esau?

 

[ett]

just thought I’d chime in here and say that this helps me understand a familiar passage:

D-R Luk 1,26-38 (source of the 1st Joyful Mystery of the Holy Rosary): And in the sixth month, the Angel Gabriel was sent of God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth. To a virgin despoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgins name was MARY. And the Angel being entered in, said unto her, HAIL full of grace, our Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought what manner of salutation this should be. And the Angel said to her, Fear not MARY, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bear a son: and thou shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall and shall be called the son of the most High, and our Lord God shall give him the seat of David his father; And he shall reign in the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. And MARY said to the Angel, “How shall this be done: because I know not man?” And the Angel answering, said to her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also that which of thee shall be born Holy, shall be called the son of God. And behold Elisabeth thy cousin, she also hast conceived a son in her old age; and this month, is the sixth to her that is called barren: Because there shall not be impossible with God any word. And MARY said, "BEHOLD the handmaid of our Lord, be it done to me according to thy word. And the Angel departed from her.

 

[Jamie_Burns]

Does being first in line always mean you are first in favor?

Cain was Adam and Eve’s firstborn, but Abel’s sacrifice was more pleasing to God.
Abram fathered Ishmael before Isaac.
Jacob supplanted his elder brother Esau’s birthright.

…and the People of God who had a special relationship with Him found that the New Covenant would be shared with the Gentiles when the Holy Church came about.

Like St. Thomas said-everything that happened in Scripture came about for our instruction.

 

[jcrichton]

Does being first in line always mean you are first in favor?

Cain was Adam and Eve’s firstborn, but Abel’s sacrifice was more pleasing to God.
Abram fathered Ishmael before Isaac.
Jacob supplanted his elder brother Esau’s birthright.

…and the People of God who had a special relationship with Him found that the New Covenant would be shared with the Gentiles when the Holy Church came about.

Like St. Thomas said-everything that happened in Scripture came about for our instruction.

Hi, Jamie!

…we find that while God is the One who made the Covenant with man and basically instituted the terms… nonetheless, since it is His Salvific Plan, the Promise Comes through the bloodline He Chose…

When we get deep into Scriptures we find why the “Choice” He Made make sense: ie: Isaac over Ishmael–when God made the Covenant with Abraham He changed his name from Abram to Abraham and Promised him that he would be the father of many nations… this while both Abraham and Sarah were old and Sarah had been sterile all her life… holding on to the idea of the Promise, Sarah provided Abraham an heir by requesting her servant to have relations with her husband (this would not be the seed of the Promise).

Isaac was in deed the first born to Abraham and Sarah.

Merry Christmas!
Maran atha!

Angel

 

[Wesrock]

The narrative in scripture is light on commentary. If we attend closely, we can understand that Jacob’s deceit is not something being portrayed as good. In fact, Jacob is transformed into a much better man during his exile. He turned to God, perhaps first starting with his dream upon that rock By the end of the story, he has grown up into the patriarch we admire so much.

In regards to the blessing, we see God honor such things almost as if they are sacrament. The elder lays hands upon the younger and confers to him a blessing, which God honors. We see something similar in confirmation and in holy orders, though they are not exactly the same thing, of course.

 

[Dave_Noonan]

A friend brought up the story of Jacob and Esau from Genesis 25 recently and asked for an explanation of why God would bless Jacob and not Esau when it seemed obvious that Jacob (and his mother) were being so sinful and directly seeking to wrong Esau.

The topic arose after my friend mentioned that a major point of separation in Islam belief from Christianity began with the story of Jacob and Esau. I’m unfamiliar with this but it got us talking about that particular story in the Bible and what it meant.

Just curious what the Catholic commentary/interpretation of this story would be.

Thank you!!

Read the story completely to the end–God did bless Esau. All of Jacob’s trickery really didn’t win him any advantage in the long run.

 

[jcrichton]

Read the story completely to the end–God did bless Esau. All of Jacob’s trickery really didn’t win him any advantage in the long run.

Hi, Dave!

…I do not really follow…

Do you mean to say that the Promise could well have been removed?

…Ishmael was not the son of the Promise, it was Isaac.

Isaac’s first-born was to inherit the Blessing (Promise) but God Chose Jacob over Esau even before they were conceived. The Promise was passed to the second-born… as it happened with Ephraim and Manasseh–it is God Who Determines the who, what and when of His Salvific Plan.

Merry Christmas!
Maran atha!

Angel

 

[Richca]

A friend brought up the story of Jacob and Esau from Genesis 25 recently and asked for an explanation of why God would bless Jacob and not Esau when it seemed obvious that Jacob (and his mother) were being so sinful and directly seeking to wrong Esau.

The topic arose after my friend mentioned that a major point of separation in Islam belief from Christianity began with the story of Jacob and Esau. I’m unfamiliar with this but it got us talking about that particular story in the Bible and what it meant.

Just curious what the Catholic commentary/interpretation of this story would be.

Thank you!!

I do not think we can look at the episode of Isaac blessing Jacob and how that came about in too ‘natural’ a manner. The whole episode is fraught with mystery, prophetic, figurative and needs to be looked at I believe in a supernatural manner with the eyes of faith. St Paul says as much in Romans 9. What is going on I believe is a supernatural mystery, it is prophetic, and a teaching that God’s call and election is not based on works, nor upon man’s will or exertion, but upon God’s mercy and grace.

Even before they were born, the Lord said to Rebekah “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples, born of you, shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger.” (Gen. 25:23). Esau did give away his birthright to Jacob also.

Accordingly, the actions of Rebekah and Jacob in getting the blessing of Isaac need not necessarily be seen as sinful or deceitful but as being moved by the Holy Spirit to signify a mystery or mysteries. In this vein, St Thomas Aquinas says “In Holy Writ, as Augustine observes (Lib. De Mend. v) the deeds of certain persons are related as examples of perfect virtue: and we must not believe that such persons were liars. If, however, any of their statements appear to be untruthful, we must understand such statements to have been figurative and prophetic.” Hence Augustine says (Lib. De Mend. v): “We must believe that whatever is related of those who, in prophetical times, are mentioned as being worthy of credit, was done and said by them prophetically.”

Aquinas continues “Jacob’s assertion that he was Esau, Isaac’s first-born, was spoken in a mystical sense, because, to wit, the latter’s birthright was due to him by right: and he made use of this mode of speech being moved by the spirit of prophecy, in order to signify a mystery, namely, that the younger people, i.e. the Gentiles, should supplant the first-born, i.e. the Jews.” (ST, II-II, Q. 110, art. 3).

St Louis de Montfort in True Devotion to Mary also has an interesting take on the blessing Isaac gave to Jacob and Rebekah’s role here as a figure of the truths he teaches concerning true devotion to Mary. Rebekah being a figure of Mary and Jacob a figure of a true client or servant of Mary.