Comparisons between Cain & Abel, vs. Jacob & Esau, vs. Parable of the Wedding Feast:
| Cain & Abel (Genesis 4) | Jacob & Esau (Genesis 27, 33) | Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14) |
| Cain born first, then Abel | Born twins, fighting at birth, Esau comes first | First invited guests to the wedding feast |
| Cain became angry and “his face fell” by the disregard God had for his offerings. | Esau loose the birthright and Isaac’s blessing by disinterest and trickery | These first guests would not come. (Matthew 22:3) |
| “sin crouched at the door” of Cain’s heart (Genesis 4:7). | Esau sought to kill Jacob (Genesis 27:41) | A second invited was sent to them. Some ignored the invitation. Some abused and killed the messengers. (Matthew 22:5-6) |
| Cain is not able to control his angry desires. | Esau was able to control hid anger and his desires to kill. (Genesis 33:4) | The king killed and destroyed the first guests and their cities. (Matthew 22:7) |
| Cain kills Abel. | Esau takes the guilt offering from Jacob and forgives him. (Genesis 33:11-16) | The king invited new guests, good and bad, to the wedding feast so that it was full. (Matthew 22:10) |
| Cain was marked by God as a fugitive and wander on the earth. (Genesis 4:12,15) | Esau was content with seeing Jacob, he let Jacob lead at his own pace, Jacob arrived safely at Shechem. (Genesis 33:9, 14, & 18). | A guest was not wearing the correct wedding garment, he was marked without, and sent away from the feast. (Matthew 22:12-13) |
Interesting Connections:
- Cain was to endure a life ostracized from his family, just as unbelievers of Jesus will be ostracized from God.
- Esau allowed Jacob to reach Shechem, where Jacob named it El-Elohe-Israel (meaning “El is the God of Israel”, or “God is the God of Israel”) Jacob was established with God, brought through division, and remained in God afterwards.
- The wedding guest without the right garments is like Cain.
- The right garments is Jesus (robes of righteousness), some scholar speculate that Jacob wrestled with Jesus until he was coved in his blessing before meeting Esau.
מגן השביל 