The Daily RootedHome StoriesGradesChurchesWhat's NewAbout
Bible:
Answer key (separate)‹ Back to chapter 25

Prints on letter paper in black and white. No answers are printed on the student sheet.

Genesis 25 · Grade 5

Despising the Birthright

Name Date

Read and Think

Genesis 25 opens by recording Abraham's other descendants through Keturah and closes the story of Abraham's life. He died at a good old age, an old man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people. Isaac and Ishmael buried him beside Sarah. The account of Ishmael's twelve sons shows that God kept His promise to make Ishmael a nation.

The story then turns to Isaac. Rebekah was barren, and Isaac prayed; the Lord granted his prayer. When the twins struggled within her, God revealed that two nations would come from them and that the elder will serve the younger. Paul cites this in Romans 9:10-13 to show that God's choice rests on His gracious purpose, not on human merit or birth order.

The famous birthright scene reveals the brothers' hearts. Esau, exhausted from hunting, demands Jacob's red stew. Jacob shrewdly bargains for the birthright. Esau's reply, What good is the birthright to me? exposes his priorities. Genesis concludes, So Esau despised his birthright. Hebrews 12:16 warns believers not to be like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. Neither brother looks admirable here: Jacob grasps, and Esau scorns. Yet God's purpose will stand.

Show What You Know

  1. How did God keep His promise about Ishmael in this chapter?

  2. What did God reveal about the twins before they were born?

  3. How does Paul use this in Romans 9?

  4. What warning does Hebrews 12:16 give?

  5. How do both brothers fall short in the birthright scene?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

goodtwinsEsauJacob
  1. He died at a old age, an old man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people.
  2. When the struggled within her, God revealed that two nations would come from them and that the elder will serve the younger.
  3. shrewdly bargains for the birthright.
  4. Genesis concludes, So despised his birthright.

Think About It

  1. What are some modern bowls of stew, things people trade their spiritual blessings for?

  2. God's purpose stood despite both brothers' faults. How does that comfort you when you fail?

Memory Verse

Yahweh said to her, “Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples will be separated from your body. The one people will be stronger than the other people. The elder will serve the younger.”

Genesis 25:23 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • What do you value that you would never trade away?
  • How can you control a strong craving or want?
  • How can you pray for a family that is struggling?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.