2. I believe the cause of tension between Isaac and Ishmael is that God preferred Isaac over Ishmael. I believe this because God in a way said he was the heir. Between Jacob and Esau was God said ‘Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples born of you shall be divided; one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger.’ Which cause Esau to be the better twin and he had his father’s