• Romans 9:10-16
    And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her, "The older shall serve the younger." As it is written, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated." What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion." So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.
     
  • Genesis 25:22-34
    But the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If all is well, why am I like this?" So she went to inquire of the LORD. And the LORD said to her:
    “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.” So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau. Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. And Esau said to Jacob, "Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary." Therefore his name was called Edom. But Jacob said, "Sell me your birthright as of this day." And Esau said, "Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?" Then Jacob said, "Swear to me as of this day." So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
     
  • Genesis 27:34-41
    When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, “Bless me—me also, O my father!” But he said, “Your brother came with deceit and has taken away your blessing.” And Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright, and now look, he has taken away my blessing!” And he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?” Then Isaac answered and said to Esau, “Indeed I have made him your master, and all his brethren I have given to him as servants; with grain and wine I have sustained him. What shall I do now for you, my son?” And Esau said to his father, “Have you only one blessing, my father? Bless me—me also, O my father!” And Esau lifted up his voice and wept. Then Isaac his father answered and said to him:
    " Behold, your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth,
    And of the dew of heaven from above. By your sword you shall live,
    And you shall serve your brother;
    And it shall come to pass, when you become restless,
    That you shall break his yoke from your neck." So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, "The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob."
     
  • Hebrews 12:16-17
    lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
     
  • Obadiah 1:8-10
    " Will I not in that day," says the LORD,
    " Even destroy the wise men from Edom,
    And understanding from the mountains of Esau?
    Then your mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed,
    To the end that everyone from the mountains of Esau
    May be cut off by slaughter. " For violence against your brother Jacob,
    Shame shall cover you,
    And you shall be cut off forever.

     
  • Obadiah 1:15
    “ For the day of the LORD upon all the nations is near;
    As you have done, it shall be done to you;
    Your reprisal shall return upon your own head.

     
  • Obadiah 1:21
    Then saviors shall come to Mount Zion
    To judge the mountains of Esau,
    And the kingdom shall be the LORD's.
     
For more scripture references, please see Bible verses for Jacob and Esau


Resources

All About Edom (Part One)

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The twin sons of Isaac, Esau and Jacob, are a classic model of sibling rivalry, and their contentious relationship has had a tremendous impact on history.


All About Edom (Part Four): Obadiah and Edom's Sin

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Because of the long conflict between Israel and Edom, one might think that Obadiah would gladly predict the Edomites' downfall, yet he laments Edom's horrible end.


In the Name of Islam

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The entire Koran has been plagiarized from other religions (including the Bible) and has absolutely no inspiration from God.


All About Edom (Part Three): Obadiah

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Bible's most comprehensive prophecy about Edom appears in Obadiah. This "minor" prophet foretells the future for the descendants of Esau.


All About Edom (Part Five): Obadiah and God's Judgment

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The latter half of the prophecy of Obadiah provides clues to the timing and extent of Edom's prophesied demise for its hatred of the people of Israel.


Treasure Your Birthright

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Jacob, though having a conniving spirit, nevertheless knew the superior value of the birthright, and struggled with everything he had to hang onto it.


Concerning Edom

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The prophet Obadiah sorrowfully dramatizes God's judgment upon Edom (Esau) for his hatred, haughtiness, and pride, and how and why Edom will be annihilated.


Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Two)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

By studying eating in the experiences of those in the Bible, we plumb a deep well of instruction from which we can draw vital lessons to help us through life.



For more resources, please see the library topic for Jacob and Esau