Genesis 25:20-28

The Birth of Jacob and Esau

After nineteen years of marriage, Isaac and Rebekah still had no children. Isaac prayed God would allow Rebekah to conceive. As John T. Willis observed, we may assume having children is a natural occurrence because so many are born. However, no child is conceived without God's blessing (Psalms 127:3). Not one, but two children were in Rebekah's womb. Because they struggled, she asked God if all was well. He said, "Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger."

When Isaac was sixty, she bore two sons. The firstborn was red haired and hairy, who they named Esau. The second was born while clutching his brother's heel. Thus, he was named Jacob, which means heel grabber. Esau grew up as a skillful hunter. Jacob grew up as a mild mannered man who dwelt in tents. Isaac loved Esau and Rebekah loved Jacob (Genesis 25:20-28).