This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Genesis 25:19-26, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Isaac was the son of Abraham, and when he was forty years old, he married a woman named Rebekah. They wanted to have children, but for a while, Rebekah couldn’t get pregnant. So Isaac prayed to God to help them.
God heard Isaac’s prayer and soon Rebekah became pregnant with not one, but two babies! But the babies inside her tummy would often fight and kick each other, which made Rebekah worried. She decided to ask God why this was happening.
God spoke to Rebekah and told her that the two babies she was carrying would grow up to be two different nations and that they would always be in conflict with each other. The older twin would serve the younger one.
After some time, it was time for Rebekah to give birth. The first baby was a boy, and he was all red and hairy, so they named him Esau. Then, the second baby was born, and he was holding onto Esau’s foot when he came out, so they named him Jacob.
Esau grew up to be a skillful hunter, while Jacob liked to stay at home and cook. As the boys grew older, their personalities became more different, and the conflict between them grew stronger.
Rebekah gave birth to them when Isaac was sixty years old.
Biblical Lessons
- God listens to our prayers, and sometimes He answers them in unexpected ways.
- Even when things don’t make sense, we can trust that God has a plan for us.
- Sibling rivalry can cause problems, but we can always choose to forgive and love each other.
Related Stories
Must-Read Christian Books
The Pilgrim's Progress
A classic allegory of the Christian journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, saturated with Scripture.
View on Amazon
Knowing Scripture
Teaches how to interpret the Bible rightly, emphasizing its clarity and our responsibility to study it.
View on Amazon
The Discipline of Grace
Shows how God's grace and our disciplined effort work together in sanctification.
View on Amazon
The Enemy Within
A modern, accessible summary of John Owen's teaching on indwelling sin and the believer's battle.
View on Amazon
Nine Marks of a Healthy Church
Outlines nine biblical priorities for congregations that want to be faithful and healthy.
View on Amazon
Redemption Accomplished and Applied
A concise, biblical study of Christ's atonement and the application of salvation to believers.
View on Amazon
The Mortification of Sin
A Puritan classic urging believers to put sin to death by the power of the Spirit.
View on Amazon
Just Do Something
A wise, biblical approach to knowing God's will without paralysis or mysticism.
View on Amazon
The Bondage of the Will
Luther's classic defense of the Bible's teaching on human sin and God's sovereign grace.
View on Amazon
The Westminster Confession of Faith
A historic confession that systematically sets forth Reformed theology from Scripture.
View on Amazon
Biblical Preaching
Introduces the "big idea" approach to expository sermons, rooted in the biblical text.
View on Amazon
Reformed Dogmatics (Single Volume Abridgement)
A rich, Reformed systematic theology that is deeply biblical and Christ-centered.
View on Amazon
God's Glory in Salvation through Judgment
Argues that God's glory in salvation through judgment is the central theme of Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
A Puritan classic on learning contentment in God in every circumstance.
View on Amazon
The Whole Christ
Deals with legalism, antinomianism, and the grace of God in union with Christ.
View on Amazon
Operation World
A prayer handbook with up-to-date information on nations and their gospel needs.
View on Amazon