“Genesis 25–27: Jacob and Esau,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual (2026)
“Genesis 25–27: Jacob and Esau,” Old Testament Seminary Teacher Manual
Genesis 24–33: Lesson 30
Genesis 25–27
Jacob and Esau
With the birth of their twins Jacob and Esau, the covenant promise of posterity for Rebekah and Isaac was at last realized. Esau, as the elder twin, would have been entitled to the birthright promises given to the firstborn son. Tragically, Esau did not prioritize his eternal blessings, instead seeking to satisfy his worldly desires. This lesson can help students value the Lord’s eternal blessings over worldly desires.
Student preparation: Encourage students to prayerfully evaluate the balance in their lives between the things of God (e.g., prayer, scripture study, church activity) and the things of the world. Invite them to identify any worldly distractions that may be taking priority over eternal things.
Possible Learning Activities
Valuing the things of God
To help students think about how immediate needs or wants can sometimes affect long-term goals, draw the following chart on the board:
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Now |
Future |
|---|---|
Now | Future |
Invite a few students to share a goal they have for their future. List these on the board in the second column. Select one of the goals in the second column. Invite students to think about immediate needs or wants that, if acted upon, could prevent someone from achieving that goal. Give students an opportunity to share a few different ideas. Discuss how choices we make now can affect our future goals and maybe even prevent us from achieving them.
When students have finished, explain that this concept can also apply to our efforts to seek God’s eternal blessings. Invite students to complete the following self-assessment in their study journals.
Prayerfully reflect on the following statements. Record in your journal how much each statement applies to you, using the answers “definitely,” “mostly,” “a little,” and “not at all.”
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I am willing to sacrifice earthly desires for eternal blessings.
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I understand why the Lord asks me to value His eternal blessings over things I want now.
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I recognize the blessings that come when I prioritize Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ over the things of the world.
As you study today, invite the Holy Ghost to help you see the value of eternal blessings. Seek inspiration about how to prioritize eternal blessings over earthly desires.
Birthright inheritance and blessing
To help students understand the cultural significance of the decisions Esau and Jacob made, summarize the following paragraphs in your own words.
In Old Testament times, the oldest son typically received the birthright. The birthright inheritance included a double portion of land and wealth. It also included greater responsibility to care for the mother and the rest of the family following the death of the father. In addition to the temporal inheritance, the father would give a birthright blessing to confer priesthood authority upon the oldest son. This blessing established the son’s position in the family as teacher and leader.
Rebekah and Isaac prayed for the blessing of a righteous posterity for many years. Eventually, they were blessed with twin boys, Esau and Jacob. Because Esau was born first, he would have been the birthright son. However, the Lord had revealed to Rebekah that Jacob was to be the birthright son (Genesis 25:22–23).
Read Genesis 25:27–34, looking for how Esau demonstrated that he did not value his birthright blessing. (To “sod pottage” means to cook soup or stew.)
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What did you find?
Read Genesis 26:34–35, looking for Esau’s decision and his parents feelings about his marriage choices. (Hittites were Canaanites who worshipped false gods.)
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Why were Rebekah and Isaac grieved by Esau’s decision?
If students are not sure how to respond to the previous question, you might explain that the Canaanites worshipped idols and engaged in other sinful practices. Marrying Canaanite women meant that Esau turned away from the covenant God made with Abraham and his posterity.
The blessings of valuing the things of God
To help students understand the story of Jacob and Esau, the following paragraph could be read or summarized. Or you could share the video “Jacob and Esau” (2:06), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Despite Esau’s bad choices, Isaac in his old age summoned Esau to give him the birthright blessing. Before Esau arrived, Rebekah disguised Jacob as his brother. Thinking Jacob was Esau, Isaac blessed Jacob with the birthright blessing (see Genesis 27:1–29). “After Isaac acknowledged that he had blessed Jacob instead of Esau, he affirmed that Jacob ‘shall be blessed’ (Genesis 27:33)—suggesting that God’s will had been accomplished” (Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: Old Testament 2022, 39).
Read Genesis 27:34, 38, looking for Esau’s reaction when he learned that Isaac had given the birthright blessing to Jacob.
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What stands out to you?
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How would you summarize what we learn from this story as a statement of truth?
Use students’ words to identify a truth similar to the following: Choosing immediate or worldly desires over God’s eternal blessings can lead to sorrow and regret.
There are a lot of possible answers to the following question. Encouraging several students to share their answers can help students feel safe to share different ideas and perspectives.
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Why can it sometimes be challenging to prioritize things that have eternal value?
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:
In the busyness of our daily lives and in the commotion of the contemporary world in which we live, we may be distracted from the eternal things that matter the most by making pleasure, prosperity, popularity, and prominence our primary priorities. Our short-term preoccupation with “the things of this world” and “the honors of men” may lead us to forfeit our spiritual birthright for far less than a mess of pottage. …
Each of us should evaluate our temporal and spiritual priorities sincerely and prayerfully to identify the things in our lives that may impede the bounteous blessings that Heavenly Father and the Savior are willing to bestow upon us. (“Put On Thy Strength, O Zion,” Liahona, Nov. 2022, 94)
Have students share what they liked or learned from Elder Bednar’s statement. Then invite them to do the following three things individually or in small groups:
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Create a scenario where someone your age may be tempted to “forfeit our spiritual birthright for far less than a mess of pottage.”
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Think of an example of how the Savior prioritized His Father’s will over immediate or worldly desires. (For example, see Matthew 4:2–10 or Luke 22:41–42.)
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Think of a modern-day example of someone prioritizing God’s will over immediate or worldly desires.
Ask students to share their ideas. As students share, you could point out that attending seminary today is a good example of putting God first. You could show the video “No Regrets” (5:38) from ChurchofJesusChrist.org. A young man chose to attend seminary over surfing. Encourage students to look for the blessings he received because of this choice.
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What blessings can we receive, now and in the future, for choosing the things of God over the things of the world?
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How did the Savior place eternal blessings above immediate desires?
Make a plan
Invite students to complete the following activity in their study journals.
List your top five priorities in order of most to least important.
As you review this list, note any adjustments the Holy Ghost impresses you to make.
Below this list, record any other thoughts you have after doing this activity. Can you identify a clear next step for you to prioritize the things of God more than the things of the world? If so, write this somewhere you will see it regularly.
To conclude class, you could share your witness of blessings you have received as you have valued the things of God over the things of the world.