Jacob and Esau
Genesis 27:41a; 32:9-21; 33:3-11
Our story comes from the book, or part, of the Bible called Genesis. Genesis means "the beginning."
The Bible tells us about two brothers, Jacob and Esau. Jacob and Esau were twin brothers. They were the sons of Isaac and the grandsons of Abraham.
Jacob and Esau were born at the same time and were the same age. But Esau was a couple of minutes older than Jacob.
Because Esau was the oldest son, he would someday receive a special blessing from their father. That was very important.
One day, Jacob tricked his father Isaac into giving Jacob the important blessing instead of Esau.
Esau was very mad.
Esau was so angry that Jacob became afraid. Jacob decided to move away from Esau. So he packed up his things and traveled to another land.
Even though God didn’t like what Jacob had done to Esau, God still blessed Jacob. God gave Jacob a large family and many animals.
After many years, God told Jacob it was time to go back home and show Esau that he was sorry. God helped Jacob get along with Esau.
So, Jacob packed his many things. He gathered together all his goats, sheep, camels, cows, and donkeys. Jacob and his family, and all the animals walked and walked.
When he got close to home, Jacob began to worry. He was afraid Esau would still be mad at him. So, Jacob sent his helpers ahead with a large gift of goats, sheep, camels, cows, and donkeys for Esau. The helpers gave the animals to Esau. It was Jacob’s way of showing Esau he wanted to get along.
The next day, Esau came to meet Jacob.
Esau wasn’t angry. God helped Esau get along with Jacob. The brothers hugged each other.
Esau said, “I have enough animals of my own; you keep yours.”
But Jacob said, “I want to give you these animals.” He wanted to show Esau he was sorry for the bad things he had done.
Esau took the animals to show Jacob that he had forgiven him.
God helped Jacob and Esau get along. God can help us get along.
Our story comes from the book, or part, of the Bible called Genesis. Genesis means "the beginning."
The Bible tells us about two brothers, Jacob and Esau. Jacob and Esau were twin brothers. They were the sons of Isaac and the grandsons of Abraham.
Jacob and Esau were born at the same time and were the same age. But Esau was a couple of minutes older than Jacob.
Because Esau was the oldest son, he would someday receive a special blessing from their father. That was very important.
One day, Jacob tricked his father Isaac into giving Jacob the important blessing instead of Esau.
Esau was very mad.
Esau was so angry that Jacob became afraid. Jacob decided to move away from Esau. So he packed up his things and traveled to another land.
Even though God didn’t like what Jacob had done to Esau, God still blessed Jacob. God gave Jacob a large family and many animals.
After many years, God told Jacob it was time to go back home and show Esau that he was sorry. God helped Jacob get along with Esau.
So, Jacob packed his many things. He gathered together all his goats, sheep, camels, cows, and donkeys. Jacob and his family, and all the animals walked and walked.
When he got close to home, Jacob began to worry. He was afraid Esau would still be mad at him. So, Jacob sent his helpers ahead with a large gift of goats, sheep, camels, cows, and donkeys for Esau. The helpers gave the animals to Esau. It was Jacob’s way of showing Esau he wanted to get along.
The next day, Esau came to meet Jacob.
Esau wasn’t angry. God helped Esau get along with Jacob. The brothers hugged each other.
Esau said, “I have enough animals of my own; you keep yours.”
But Jacob said, “I want to give you these animals.” He wanted to show Esau he was sorry for the bad things he had done.
Esau took the animals to show Jacob that he had forgiven him.
God helped Jacob and Esau get along. God can help us get along.
Bible Paraphrase: Love is kind. (Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. – 1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV)
Text Truth: God can help us get along.
It was God who made Jacob realize the wrongs he had done to Esau and desire reconciliation. Esau’s response to Jacob was loving. And God worked in both Esau and Jacob to get along after a true show of confession.
God may be speaking to you to reconcile with someone. Ask Him to help you to restore that relationship.
Sing this song to the tune of “Mulberry Bush.” Then after each verse, have your child act out one way to get along with others (sharing, giving, hugging etc.)
Traveling, especially for long distances, can make it difficult for children to get along. When arguments start, remind your children that God can help us get along. Encourage all involved to tell God their feelings and ask for His help to get along. Then talk with each other about how to get along.
Before you tuck in your child, remind your child that Jacob and Esau hugged when they saw each other again and made up. Reflect on your day.
Act out the story of Jacob and Esau with your child. This is a great story for a variety of facial expressions and hand motions. End the story with a big hug.
There may be a friend from preschool or church or a sibling your child has difficulty getting along with. Pray with your child, asking for God’s help to get along. Give your child specific things he should or should not do to get along with others better.
Text Truth: God can help us get along.
Family Devotional
Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him.
— Genesis 27:41a
But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.”
“No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.
— Genesis 33:9-11
— Genesis 27:41a
But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.”
“No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably. Please accept the present that was brought to you, for God has been gracious to me and I have all I need.” And because Jacob insisted, Esau accepted it.
— Genesis 33:9-11
God may be speaking to you to reconcile with someone. Ask Him to help you to restore that relationship.
Activities You Can Do at Home
This is the Way We Get Along
Sing this song to the tune of “Mulberry Bush.” Then after each verse, have your child act out one way to get along with others (sharing, giving, hugging etc.)
This is the way we get along,
Get along, get along,
This is the way we get along,
Every single day.
Getting Along on the Go
Traveling, especially for long distances, can make it difficult for children to get along. When arguments start, remind your children that God can help us get along. Encourage all involved to tell God their feelings and ask for His help to get along. Then talk with each other about how to get along.
A Hug at Bedtime
Before you tuck in your child, remind your child that Jacob and Esau hugged when they saw each other again and made up. Reflect on your day.
A Story and a Hug
Act out the story of Jacob and Esau with your child. This is a great story for a variety of facial expressions and hand motions. End the story with a big hug.
Pray, Asking God for Help
There may be a friend from preschool or church or a sibling your child has difficulty getting along with. Pray with your child, asking for God’s help to get along. Give your child specific things he should or should not do to get along with others better.
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Story illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages (http://freebibleimages.org) for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported licence.
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