Genesis 25:19-25:34

     These are the descendants of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, sister of Laban the Aramean. Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren¹; and the LORD granted his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived². The children struggled together³ within her; and she said, "If it is to be this way, why do I live?" So she went to inquire of the LORD.
     And the LORD said to her, "Two nations⁴ are in your womb, and two peoples born of you shall be divided⁵; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger⁶."
     When her time to give birth was at hand, there were twins in her womb. The first came out red, all his body like a hairy mantle; so they named him Esau. Afterward his brother came out, with his hand gripping Esau's heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.
     When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents.⁷ Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.
     Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field,⁸ and he was famished. Esau said to Jacob, "Let me eat some of that red stuff, for I am famished!" (Therefore he was called Edom.)
     Jacob said, "First sell me your birthright."⁹
     Esau said, "I am about to die¹⁰; of what use is a birthright to me?"
     Jacob said, "Swear to me first."
     So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank, and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.¹¹

^[1] Barrenness is an issue again.
^[2] So much quicker than his parents!
^[3] Foreshadowing
^[4] Nations are descending from Abraham.
^[5] Refers to conflict between Israelites and Edomites.
^[6] Breaks with cultural norm.
^[7] Masculine/feminine roles.
^[8] More masculine/feminine roles.
^[9] Devious! Taking advantage of his brother.
^[10] Overdramatic.
^[11] Is it saying that he despised his birthright because of what he had done, or that because he despised his birthright he did such a thing?


Take-home: The conflict between Esau and Jacob is set up, foreshadowing the conflict between the Edomites and the Israelites. The theme of barrenness is continued while the theme of the younger son supplanting the elder is begun. Jacob represents a more feminine side, while Esau represents a more masculine side.