Sibling Rivalry, a Thousand Years Old

“Jacob … means ‘May he be at the heels’ – i.e. ‘May God be your rearguard’ (cf. on 17:19). But it also lends itself to a hostile sense, of dogging another’s steps, or overreaching, as Esau bitterly observed in 27:36. Through his own action Jacob devalued his name into a synonym for treachery”

(D. Kidner, Genesis, pg. 162).

“Now the Lord is bringing charges against Judah. He is about to punish Jacob for all his deceitful ways, and pay him back for all he has done. Even in the womb, Jacob struggled with his brother; when he became a man, he even fought with God” (Hosea 12:2-3, NLT).

1.    The Feud begins - Genesis 25:21-26, Romans 9:10-16

a.     What five things does the Genesis text say about the beginning of this feud?

b.    What does this text mean, especially for the future of these nations?

c.     In Romans 9, how does Paul interpret the birth narrative?

                                              i.     Application - What does this text mean for us, today, then?

2.    The Feud reconciled – Genesis 33:1-11

a.     How does the text describe Jacob’s actions towards reconciliation?

b.    How are Esau’s actions of forgiveness used as a model in the Gospel of Luke?

c.     Jacob draws a parallel to his encounter with God in 32:22ff with his encounter of Esau in 33:10.

                                              i.     Application - What does this text teach us about forgiveness and reconciliation? How does this reinforce what the NT teaches?

“What a tragedy that the strife between Esau and Jacob, a contention settled in their own lifetimes (Gen. 32-33), should reappear in the form of bitter jealousy and hatred between their respective nations. Esau’s offspring maintained their enmity toward Israel for more than a thousand years” (Daily Walk Bible, pg. 1178).

3.    The Feud judged – Obadiah 10-21

a.     How are the Edomites’ actions in vss. 12-14 totally the opposite of their ancestor, Esau?

b.    What was God’s judgment on them? Did it come true? (To find out, look at a map of the Middle East today.)

c.     Application – what does this text mean for God’s chosen, covenantal people today? Especially our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world?

“While neither Edom nor Babylon are with us any longer, enemies of God’s people are still too evident and sometimes apparently all powerful. The same God whom the prophets proclaimed as not only willing but able to stand on the side of his people and deliver them, is to be declared today” 

(D. Baker, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, pg. 26).

“And the Lord himself will be king!” (Obadiah 21).