Jacob and Esau were twin brothers, sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Esau was
the dearer to his father; but Rebekah loved Jacob more, and she wished
her favorite son to have the birthright, or larger portion of the
property, which really belonged to Esau because he was a little the
older.
One day Esau came in from hunting, very tired and hungry, and sold his
birthright to Jacob for a kind of stew called pottage.
Afterward, when Isaac had grown very old, he sent Esau one day to get
some of his favorite meat, saying that when he returned he should have
his father's blessing.
But Rebekah heard this and determined that Jacob should have the
blessing instead. So she prepared meat, then dressed Jacob in some of
his brother's clothing, covering his hands and neck with the skin of the
kids, and sent him to his father; and Isaac blessed him, for his sight
was dim, and he thought it was Esau.
When the elder brother returned, he was very angry with Jacob, and Isaac
was deeply grieved to think he had been deceived; but he blessed Esau as
well, who became prosperous and had large possessions and great power.
After this Jacob went to his mother's people, where he met Rachel, whom
he loved very dearly. He told Laban, her father, that he would serve him
faithfully seven years if Rachel might be his wife, and Laban consented
to this; at the end of the seven years, however, he told Jacob that he
must first marry Leah, as she was the older, but if he would serve
another seven years he might have Rachel also. So Jacob served another
seven years for Rachel, and then they were married.
Later Esau and Jacob met and were very glad to see each other, for Jacob
had repented of his sin, and God had forgiven him; while Esau forgave
him also.
[Illustration: ISAAC BLESSING JACOB.]