Sheep and Goats

The “gift” that Jacob gives Esau and that Esau reluctantly accepts is outlined in Genesis 32. It’s a collection of animals, and the first to be listed among them is…. the goats. As in, the very animal that Jacob covered himself in to make himself look like Esau when he swiped the blessing from his older brother.

The word “present” or “gift” (מִנְחָתִי) here is first mentioned back in Genesis 4. It’s the word used to describe what Cain and Abel gave to God. It is an offering. Or, given the nature of kingdoms, it is a TRIBUTE.
God did not accept Cain’s gift. Esau initially rejects Jacob’s gift. It’s an interesting parallel.

Another important note: the offering starts out with GOATS and Sheep. Goats are listed first.

This pairing has a meaning to Christians: it’s the “whatever you’ve done for the least of these, you’ve done to me” passage. And while it seems very good for “the least of these,” the story appears quite damning for those who fail to care for the poor and weak. Those poor goats!

But maybe this link to Jacob and Esau is a clue.

The Jewish teachings about Esau is that he represents wickedness in all his ways. He appears irredeemable – even his “kiss” of Jacob is viewed with derision, with some teachings suggesting that his intent was to BITE his brother, not kiss him. He is a character of murder, wrath, impatience, and an insatiable appetite for lust. Later, we see him as a nation that strives against the people of God.
In the Matthew 25:31-46 passage, the text tells us who the sheep and goats are.

They are not individuals. They are not people who will be redeemed or damned. They are nations. They are systems of humanity, and what Jesus is telling us plainly is that a system of oppression is Edom. It is the legacy of Esau, and God simply will not accept it. It is the entire rejection of the call to love God and to love your neighbor, and it is THAT which is damned in the story.