When the two sons reached the age of maturity I'saac showed a strong preference for E'sau, to whom he intended to leave his property and family heritage. If I'saac knew of the Divine revelation to Re-bek'ah which declared that Ja'cob was to be the chosen son, he seems to have regarded it as only a wish of Re-bek'ah, and not as the voice of God.
I'saac seems also to have felt that E'sau, who was strong, bold, and active, was better fitted than Ja'cob to take possession of the land of Ca'naan for the descendants of A'bra-ham. The rights which belonged to a first-born son, the physical powers of E'sau, and I'saac's personal wishes were all in favor of E'sau as the natural heir to his property.
Re-bek'ah, on the other hand, preferred Ja'cob, feeling that his sharpness of mind, his love for domestic peace and prosperty, and the choice of God which had been announced before his birth overcame the natural preference of I'saac for E'sau.
The strong preferences on the part of I'saac and Re-bek'ah became the source of much unhappiness in the domestic life of the family, and gave rise to the jealousy and bitterness which often broke out between the two sons. Happiness and justice in the home were forgotten, and the future relations of the two sons and their descendants were turned into hatred, disputes, and warfare. Later chapters in these narratives tell the story of the sad results of these unfortunate circumstances.
