The Reconciliation between Jacob and Esau  Painting by Peter Paul Rubens National Galleries, Scotland  
Creative Commons Licence

A History Of Hatred Between Ishmael & Isaac Continued

The hostility between ISHMAEL (Abraham's son by Hagar) and ISAAC (Abraham's son of the promise by Sarah) continues down to the next generation.

The Hostility Between Esau and Jacob

Isaac's wife Rebekkah bore him twin sons - ESAU and JACOB (meaning 'Grabber' because he grabbed hold of Esau's heel as he was being born). With his mother Rebekkah's connivance, Jacob managed to steal his brother's birthright as firstborn and then to trick his father Isaac into blessing him as the firstborn, when Isaac's eyesight was failing.

THE RESULT: Bitter enmity between Esau and Jacob, which caused Jacob to run for his life. This feud was only ended years later after Jacob met Esau with gifts and asked for his forgiveness [as depicted in the painting above by Peter Paul Rubens].

The Continuing Hostility Between The Descendants Of Ishmael / Esau (The Arabs) & The Descendants Of Isaac /Israel (The Jews)

The modern hostility between Arabs and Jews can be traced right back to this feud between the descendants of Ishmael and the descendants of Isaac's son Jacob, who was renamed Israel.

Watch Rick Steve's travel video THE HOLY LAND: ISRAELIS & PALESTINIANS