Genesis: Issac, Esau & Jacob

Ishmael [Hagars and Abraham’s son] had sons named, Nebaioth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. Twelve princes of twelve nations. 

Ishmael died at 137 years old. He lived with all his brethrens from Hauilah into Shur, towards Egypt near Asshur. 

When Issac was 40 years old, he married Rebekah. He prayed to the Lord for a child because she was barren; Rebekah conceived but the babies strove [struggle or fight] inside her and she asked the Lord, why? He said, two nations are inside of your womb, two manners of people will be divided out of your womb, and one will be mightier than the other and the older will serve the younger. 

Issac was 60 when she delivered twins, the first was covered in red hair and named Esau; holding the heel of his brother, the second was delivered and named Jacob. 

Esau was a great hunter and lived in the fields, but Jacob was plain and lived in tents. Issac loved Esau and the venison he cooked but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Esau came in from the field, weary, asking Jacob for lentils [therefore his named was Edom.] Jacob replied, ‘sell me your birthright’ and Esau replied, I am almost dead – what good is a birthright? He gave his birthright to Jacob for lentils and left. 

There was another famine and God said, go down and dwell in Egypt; I will be with you and bless you and your seed as promised to Abraham. You will multiply as the stars of heaven, your seed with be nations because Abraham obeyed by voice and kept my commandments. Issac and Rebekah went down to Gerar and he told them that she was her sister as Abraham had done with Sarah. Abimelech the King saw them sporting together and confronted him and sent him away. Issac sowed the land and it produced a hundred-fold.

The Philistims envied Issac’s sheep, cattle and mighty household; they filled the water wells that were dug by his father. Abimelech told Issac to get from them because he was mightier. Issac attempted to re-dig the wells twice and the men of Gerar claimed them [he had named them Esek and Sitnah.] The third well was named Rehoboth; because the Lord has now made room for us, we will increase upon earth. Issac returned and the Lord appeared in Be-ersheba assuring him of his presence, there he built a alter and dug a well; later named Shebah. Abimelech visited Issac near Shebah and asked for an oath between them to do them no harm, as Abimelech knew the Lord was with Issac. They made the covenant, feasted and the men departed in peace. 

When Esau was 40 years old, he married Judith – daughter of Beeri a Hittite and Bashemath, daughter of Elon. This caused Issac and Rebekah grief. 

When Issac was old, his eyesight was dim. He told Esau that he would not live long, to find and cook him some venison and he would bless him before he passed. Rebekah overheard and told Jacob of a plan to cook his father 2 kid goats so that Jacob could be blessed instead. Jacob told her that his father would surely know and curse him. Rebekah assured him to bring the goats, which she cooked. She took the goat skin and draped Jacob’s hands and neck; she put Esau’s clothes upon him and sent him to Issac.

When Issac asked who was there, Jacob replied, “I am Esau, your first born. I have done as you asked, I pray you eat my venison and bless me.” Issac asked how he had found a deer so quickly, he replied that the Lord had provided it. He asked Jacob to come closer so that he may feel him, Issac said that his voice sounded of Jacob but had the hands of Esau. He ate and blessed him as promised. When leaving, Issac asked for a kiss from his son, he smelled of his raiment saying, “the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord has blessed. God give him the dew of the heaven, fatness of the earth and plenty of corn and wine. Let people serve you, nations bow to you, be lord over their brethren, let your mother’s sons bow down to you, anyone who curses you will be cursed and bless those who bless you.”  

As Jacob left, Esau entered; When Issac asked who was there, Esau said, “I am your son, your first born, Esau”. Issac trembled and explained that he had been brought venison and blessed him already. Esau cried out for a blessing, stating that he took away his birthright and now his blessing! Issac told Esau – I have made Jacob your Lord. Esau cried out for one blessing, his father told him, your dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, the dew of heaven; live by your sword and serve Jacob and when you’re able, break his yolk from off his neck.  

Esau hated Jacob because of this. In his heart, he said, I will mourn my father and after I will kill Jacob. When Rebekah heard, she warned Jacob and told him to go to Laban (her brother) in Haran and stay there until Esau has calmed down, once he does, I will send for you. Issac blessed Jacob’s journey and sent him to Rebekah’s brother to find a wife in Padan Aram. Issac told Jacob that he shall not take a wife from Canaan. Esau saw that the daughters of Cannan did not please his father so he went to Ishmael (Abraham & Hagar’s son) for a wife.  

Jacob left for Haran, when he laid down, he dreamed that a ladder went up from the earth to heaven: the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. The Lord stood above it, He blessed Jacob and assured him of his presence, instructed him to spread his seed in every direction and all the families would be blessed. The Lord said, ” …I will not leave thee until I have done what I said to you.”

Jacob woke in fear saying – this is the gate of heaven. Using his pillow of stone, he made a pillar and poured oil upon it. He named this place, Bethel. Jacob vowed that if the Lord walked with him, gave him bread to eat and clothes to wear, he would return to his father’s house in peace and then shall the Lord be his God; this stone will be God’s house and all that he gives me, I will surely give the tenth unto Him. 

Jacob found a well with sheep lying nearby, there was a great stone covering the mouth of the well. As he asked the herdsmen if they knew Laban, then his daughter, Rachel, came with her father’s herd that she tended. Jacob saw her and removed the covering for the sheep to drink. Jacob kissed Rachel and told her that he was her father’s brethren, son of Rebekah; She ran to tell her father. Laban ran to meet him, embraced him and brought him into his home to stay for a month. 

Laban had two daughters, Leah who was tender eyed and Rachel was beautiful and favored. Jacob loved Rachel and for her hand, he offered 7 years a servant. Laban said better to give her to him than another man. Jacob served Laban for 7 years and asked for his wife so that he may go unto her. Laban gathered his men and had a great feast. In the evening, Laban took Leah to Jacob, and it was not realized until the next morning that it was not Rachel. Jacob pleaded and Laban said, he could not give the younger before the first born but I will give you Rachel if you serve for another 7 years. Jacob did so. Leah was given the hand maid, Zilpah. Rachel was given, Bilhah. 

Jacob loved Racheal more than Leah and when the Lord saw the Leah was despised, he made her fruitful and Racheal barren. Leah had a son named Reuben and she said, because the Lord has seen my tribulation, now my husband will love me. Followed by sons named Simeon, Leui and Judah – with each son she said, now my husband will love me. 

When Racheal learned she was barren, she envied Leah and said to Jacob, give me children or else, I die. Jacob was angry and asking, am I God? Have I made you barren? Racheal gave Jacob her handmaid, Bilhah, to have a child by her. Bilhah conceived and named her son, Dan; and again, a son named Naphtali.  

When Leah saw this, she gave Jacob her handmaid, Zilpah and they had a son named, Gad and another named Asher. 

Reuben went out during the harvest and found mandrakes. When he brought them to his mother, Rachel asked for them; Leah said, you took my husband and now my son’s mandrakes too! Racheal said, for the mandrakes, Jacob would stay the night with her. Leah met Jacob leaving the field and told her their deal, he slept with her, and she conceived their 5^th son named, Issachar; then the 6^th son, Zebulun and a daughter named, Dinah. 

God remembered Rachel and opened her womb; she bare a son named, Joseph. After this, Jacob asked Laban to send him away with his wives and children; Laban replied that the Lord had blessed him for Jacob’s sake, tell me your wages and I will give them to you. Jacob said, your stock has increased in multitude, when can I make my own home? Laban said, what should I give you and Jacob’s reply was, you will give me nothing at all; if you do this for me, I will keep your sheep and goats, separate the spotted and black from the others and they will be my wages. Jacob did so and separated the herds as he said, however, he put the feeble sheep in Laban’s flock with each breeding. 

Laban’s son told him of this and God came to Jacob and said, turn to the land of your fathers and I will be with you; I have seen what Laban has done to you. He called Rachel and Leah to tell them of their father’s countenance. His wives said, is there any inheritance of us in our father’s house? He took all their money, belongings. What we have of our father’s, we will keep for us and our children; whatever God said, do it.  

Jacob loaded his wives into the carriage. [Racheal had stolen her father’s images before leaving.] 

He fled, without telling Laban, with all that he had and set his face to Giliead. It was told after 3 days, they found him at Mount Gilead and God came to Laban saying, “speak not to Jacob of the good or bad.” Laben said to Jacob, what have you done? Taken my daughters? Steal my things and leave without telling me? You’ve stolen my Gods? Whoever has them, will die. Jacob didn’t know Racheal had stolen them and agreed with Laban. They were in the camel’s litter where she sat. They searched and found nothing. Jacob questioned Laben on why he was coming after him after he’d served for 20 years?! Explaining the pain and suffering he endured while serving for him; 14 years for his daughters and 6 for his flock but God has seen my affliction and rebuked you. Laben responds that everything he has, is his.  

Galeed was the pillar of stones they made a covenant upon. God as their witness, ‘I will not pass this heap for you, and you will not pass over this heap for me.’ Laben left the next morning after kissing his daughters and sons goodbye. 

Jacob met the angels of God and called the place Mahanaim. Jacob sent messages to Esau in Seir, saying where he had been and the animals/women and asked for grace from his brother prior to his arrival. They responded that 400 men are coming. Jacob made 2 groups, if one is slaughtered, the other will escape. He asked God to deliver him from his brother. He took a present, hundreds of animals and delivered them to his brother’s servants. When Esa asked who they belonged to, say they are a present from Jacob.  

Jacob took his wives, 2 servants and 11 sons and sent them over the brook so that he was left alone. Jacob wrestled a man into the break of day, he could not prevail against him; he touched the hollow of this thigh, hurting his hip as he wrestled. Jacob said, let me go, morning has come! Who answered, I will not let go unless you bless me and asked for his name saying, your name will be Isreal instead of Jacob because you have power with God, you will prevail with men. Jacob called this place Peniel [I have seen God face to face and my life is preserved.] Jacob rose and halted upon his thigh. The children of Isreal do not eat the shranke of the thigh to this day because of this. 

Jacob saw Esa and his men coming and cried as he embraced him. He introduced Esa to his wives, handmaid’s and children. He asked Esa to take his presents and allow him to Passover. Esau initially refused but took them at Jacob’s persistence. Esa said, let me leave some of my men with you; Esau returned to Seir and Jacob to Succoth where he settled in Sheche, in the land of Canaan. 

Jacob bought a parcel of a field for 100 pieces of money from Hamor Shechems father. He set up an alter and called it, The Mighty God of Isreal. 

Dinah, the daughter of Leah and Jacob, was seen by Shechem, son of Hamor, and he defiled her. Schechem told his father to get him Dinah to wife. Jacob heard what he had done to his daughter, he held his peace when Hamor came to ask. Jacob’s sons hearing of this, was angered. Hamor asked that they exchange daughters between his people and Jacob’s; whatever the dowrie, he will pay. Speaking deceitfully, they replied that they couldn’t give their sister to someone uncircumcised. If you all are circumcised, we will be one people. If not, we will take our daughter and be gone. Hamor told his people that Jacob’s daughters, flocks and substance would be theirs and all agreed. 

On the 3^rd day when they were sore from the circumcision, Simeon and Leui took their sword and killed every male and took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, also they took their sheep, ox and asses, money, riches. They took captive and spoiled all their goods and houses. When they returned, Jacob said the Canaanites and Perizzites would rise against him and destroy him. They replied but he abused our sister as a whore. 

God told Jacob to go to Bethal and make an alter [where you fled from Esua.] Tell everyone to put away the strange God’s among you and bathe and wear clean clothes. He took away their earrings and foreign gods and hid them under an oak. No one pursued them because the terror of God was in the surrounding towns. 

They arrived in Luz [Bethel] and built the alter named El Bethel. Rebekah’s nurse, Deborah, was buried there, so it was named Allon Bakuth. God spoke with Jacob and he was named “Isreal” and He called him Isreal. He gave him the land He had given his fathers before him. Jacob set up a pillar there and called it Bethel. 

They came to a place called Ephrath; Rachel travailed; she had a hard labor and died after giving birth to a son they called, Benoni but Jacob called him Benjamin. Rachel was buried in Ephrath, Bethlehem. Jacob set a pillar upon Racheal’s grave and continued his journey to Migdaleder. In this land Reuben lay with Bilhah [his father’s concubine.]  

Jacob/Isreal had 12 sons; with Leah he had – Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun. With Rachel – Joseph and Benjamin. With Bilhah – Dan and Naphtali. With Zilpah – Gad and Asher. 

Jacob went to visit his father, Issac in Mamre a city in Arbah; Hebron. Issac lived to be 180 years old and was buried by Esau and Jacob. 

kbyeluhyou.