Esau Sells His Birthright to Jacob, by Glen S. Hopkinson
Genesis 24–33; Lesson 30
Genesis 25–27
Jacob and Esau
Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.
What do you value most? What would you give up to receive it? After a long wait and many prayers, the Lord blessed Isaac and Rebekah with children. They had twin boys, Esau and Jacob. Esau, the older twin, was entitled to the birthright promises given to the firstborn son. But he had other, short-sighted interests. This lesson can help you value the Lord’s eternal blessings over worldly desires.
Study the Scriptures
We must make choices every day. Some choices require us to determine what we truly value. As you study, think about how what you value influences the choices you make.
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.
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).
If available, you could watch the video “Jacob and Esau” (2:06).
Read the following passages. Mark choices Esau made.
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Genesis 25:27–34. To “sod pottage” means to cook soup or stew.
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Genesis 26:34–35. Hittites were Canaanites who worshipped false gods.
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What did you learn about Esau’s priorities from the choices he made?
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Why can it sometimes be challenging to prioritize things that have eternal value?
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. In your notebook, add a statement of truth that summarizes what you learned.
Review the following study options. Complete one or more.
Option A
How can I prioritize eternal things over temporal things?
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained why it is sometimes challenging to prioritize things of eternal value:
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)
Spend a few minutes evaluating your priorities. To do this, make a list. Next, organize your priorities according to how they rank in eternal importance. Finally, think about what you are doing to seek the Lord’s help to achieve your eternal priorities.
Watch the video “No Regrets” (5:38) to see one example of a young man who made eternal things a priority. If you cannot watch the video, ask someone you know what they do to stay focused on eternal priorities.
Imagine you have the opportunity to make a video about focusing on eternal priorities. Create an outline of what you would say. Or, if available, create a video.
Option B
Why does Heavenly Father want me to have eternal blessings?
Knowing the reason for something can help us be more motivated to try to achieve it. Esau traded spiritual blessings for other things. It is possible that he did not fully recognize the great value of those blessings.
When the things of this world are appealing, remembering what Heavenly Father wants to give you can help you choose eternal things.
Read at least two of the following resources to see what God intends to give you as you choose eternal things over worldly things. You may want to tag these passages “blessings of eternity.”
Elder Matthew L. Carpenter of the Seventy explained some of the blessings of eternity:
What are the blessings of exaltation? They include dwelling in God’s presence for eternity together as husband and wife, inheriting “thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, … and a continuation of the seeds forever and ever” [Doctrine and Covenants 132:19], receiving all that God the Father has. (“Fruit That Remains,” Liahona, May 2024, 62)
Create and record in your notebook a four-line poem that might encourage someone to choose God’s eternal blessings over temporal things. Or you could respond to the prompt, “Why I choose eternity …”
Share Your Thoughts
Lesson Purpose: To help you value the Lord’s eternal blessings over worldly desires.
Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:
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The video outline or the video you created.
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The poem you created or how you completed the prompt in Option B.
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Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
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Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?