New Begininngs: Jacob and Esau

A New Beginning: Reconciliation and Redemption

Genesis 25:19–34, (not read but told) Genesis 33:1–20

Focus: The only path to redemption is found in the reconciliation which we have because of God in Christ.

Function: That my hearers reject the idea of avoidance or correctness in defense of themselves for sin but receive the redemption that leads us back to wholeness in Christ

Structure: Expository (Text Application)

Summary: The passages narrate the complex relationship between Jacob and Esau, highlighting themes of deception, reconciliation, and God's faithfulness.

Application:

1: These passages remind us of the power of forgiveness and reconciliation in broken relationships.

2:They also show us that despite our flaws, God can still work through us for His divine purpose.

Teaching:

1: Through the story of Jacob and Esau, we learn about the consequences of deceit and the importance of seeking forgiveness and reconciliation. Explanation of the 9th Commandment in the Catechism

2: We also see God's sovereignty in using imperfect individuals to fulfill His plans.

Sovereignty and C=God’s Choice (as Gospel)

How this passage could point to Christ: In these passages, we see echoes of Christ's sacrificial love and ultimate reconciliation of humanity to God. Jacob's deceit and transformation, as well as the brothers' reconciliation, foreshadow the redemption brought by Jesus Christ.

Big Idea: Forgiveness, reconciliation, and God's faithfulness are key themes in the story of Jacob and Esau, pointing to the ultimate redemption and reconciliation achieved through Christ.

Reminder about Expository Preaching and how we are going section by section:

Today there are really two main points in our text: There is Power in Reconciliation AND Despite our sins, God still works through us for His Divine Purposes Lets Unpack these points in the sermon today

1. Chosen, Not Earned

Genesis 25:19-26

Reading Chronicles of Narnia to my daughters when they were young

Chronicles of Narnia is a good example. When Edward sold out his family to the ice witch for turkish delights. It took Aslan to bring them back together and it followed the redemption that Aslan paid for Edward’s transgression.

What I like about this is that it teaches us about the unexpected choices of God (We may ask why pick the scoundrel… He’s a proven Loser), But this choice of God highlights how God's selection of Jacob over Esau points to His sovereignty which is to say His Grace… not His wrath, which clearly does not depend on human merit. This prefigures Christ's redemptive work, choosing us not because of our works but out of His grace. It encourages us to see our own flawed but chosen status as part of God's redemptive plan.

2. Prioritizing Eternal Promises

Genesis 25:27-34

We see this flawed by Chosen status around us sometimes when for instance

A family torn apart by bitterness and unforgiveness finally coming together after years of separation.

Two childhood friends who had a falling out over a misunderstanding, but later reconnected and revived their friendship, as a testimony of forgiveness and reconciliation.

A couple on the brink of divorce, but through counseling and prayer, they chose to forgive each other and rebuild their marriage, demonstrating the power of reconciliation.

When we learn to prioritize the Eternal Promises of God over a moment of feeling correct. We learn the path from Law to Grace.

Think of Esau's impulsive trade of his birthright for a meal is a great example of trading eternal blessings for temporary pleasures. (that’s messed up)

BUT NOW Look at the in contrast to Christ's decisions in temptation in the wilderness, resisting temporary gain for eternal purpose, shows us how He did what we would not and this encourages us to prioritize God's eternal promises over strongly felt but fleeting desires. Where WE would lose control for selfish desires Christ demonstrates that God always has everything under control. We need that. But the only way we get that is through Christ. He has what we need and He does that for us. That was His choice… and His choice reverses our mess’ (insert explanation to the 9th Commandment: emphasizing how COVETING IS EXERCISING OUR SOVEREIGNTY OVER OTHERS instead of trusting in God to take care of our needs)

Teaching on the Sovereignty of God

God has everything under His control even when we are screwing everything up. We worry that God’s control is screwing everything up for us. But we are like children and its hard for us to see the gracious working of God when we are so focused on ourselves. You want to know what God’s focus… WHAT HIS CHOICE was!?!?!?! Look at Ephesians 1:3-14

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:3–14)

Now this scripture brings us a pretty big teaching from the Bible. It deals with the Sovereignty of God and His choice. People sometimes have a lot of ideas and frankly really poor ideas about this teaching. They use this teaching to try and say what the mind of God is about things that God hasn’t given us insight into. We get messed up on this teaching when we start making choices for God that He didn’t make. The teaching of the Sovereignty of God and how He chooses us is meant to be comfort. It is not to make you insecure in your faith. Wondering if you are chosen. If Jesus died and rose for you , AND HE DID, and you take comfort in that by grace through faith, you are His… AND ANYBODY WHO TRIES TO GET INBETWEEN YOU AND THE CONFIDENCE YOU HAVE IN JESUS IS SELLING YOU SOMETHING YOU SHOULD NEVER BUY… EVEN IF THEY ARE GIVING IT AWAY AT A STEAL.

The Sovereignty of God and His gracious choosing teaches these three things:

God Wants All Humans to be Saved

Ephesians is addressing people who are already Christians. God, in his mercy, wants all people to be saved. (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16). God does not desire the death and damnation of sinners. He wants all humankind to be saved.

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Christ is the World’s Redeemer

Jesus didn’t die for only those who would become Christians or only for a specific group of people. No, Jesus’ redemption is for all (2 Corinthians 5:19). Christ Jesus gave himself for all people.

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God Offers Salvation Through the Gospel

Grace through Christ is freely available to all people through the means of grace. The Savior commissioned his church to make disciples out of all nations by baptizing and teaching them (Matthew 28:19). Romans 1:16 calls the Gospel “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Second Timothy 3:15 tells us that the Scriptures “are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” God genuinely and honestly offers his gift of salvation to all people through the means of grace. Just because people can mess it up, God’s grace is valid and sincere.

IF God’s Sovereignty is a confusing teaching of the faith it only gets confusing When we go beyond what God has revealed to us, when we try to resolve the paradoxes of Scripture, or when we try to make our reason more important than the word, we will find this doctrine to be unsettling. Chiefly we mess it up when we make God into something that He is not (*He is a Father). Trust that it all fits together in God’s plan, and when we hear of His work in context, we learn who He is.

This teaching of the faith is meant to encourage Christians who struggle in this life. He comes to us in the midst of our problems, embraces us in his love, and whispers in our ear, “Don’t worry, it’s going to be OK. I have taken care of everything. I chose you, I justified you, and I’m going to bring you to be with me forever. Don’t worry about the opposition. Nothing can separate you from my love (Romans 8:39). No one can snatch you out of my hand (John 10:28). I’ve got everything under control. Your life is in my hands, and I will take care of you.” Hearing that divine comfort, we might have other questions. “What about other people, God? Are you taking care of them too?” He answers, “Let me worry about them. But remember, I am sending you to tell them about me.”

The Bible does not allow us to read the mind of God or to take his place in judgment. But it gives us a powerful testimony to God’s grace and his dependable words of comfort. “I’ve chosen you, and I will see you home.”

3. Reconciliation over Retribution

Genesis 33:1-10

Reconciliation relates to the second point today when we see the Sovereignty of God in the Second reading from Genesis 33:1-20, it shows how Jacob's fear and preparation to meet Esau transitions into a peaceful reunion because as He said… God made the way possible for them to get back together again. Esau didn’t do it. Jacob couldn’t pay His way back into Esau’s good graces, this points us forward to God's desire for reconciliation with humanity through Christ. Finding Christ in other people through the power of forgiveness (Keeping and accepting) 33:v.10-11* WHY because God has dealt graciously with us… in Him we have enough. God encourages us to seek forgiveness and reconciliation in their relationships, mirroring God's reconciliation with us through Jesus. I have to admit I am still personally waiting. I’m Still waiting on my Mizpah moment with one of my siblings and maybe you know that pain to with someone close to you.

4. Building Peace, Extending Grace

Genesis 33:11-20

Really the goal is to build for our own Mizpah moments based off of God’s gift of peace that was first given to us in Jesus. So

Find areas in your life where reconciliation is needed with others. Take intentional steps to seek forgiveness and extend grace to those you have conflicts with, reflecting the redemption you have received through Christ. This could involve initiating honest conversations, apologizing for past wrongs, and actively working towards restoring broken relationships.

In your interactions with classmates or colleagues, be a peacemaker by promoting unity and harmony. Instead of participating in gossip or division, strive to build bridges and mend broken relationships. Show others the transformative power of redemption by modeling forgiveness and reconciliation in your everyday conversations and actions.

Within your family relationships, practice forgiveness and extend grace just as Christ has done for you. Take the initiative to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings, demonstrating the redemptive love of God through your words and actions. Choose to let go of past hurts and work towards fostering a spirit of reconciliation and unity in your household.

Imagine if the prodigal son parable (Luke15) ended the way it did at Mizpah. In fact, Genesis 25 may be the Prodigal Son story of the Old Testament without the cliff hanger ending because Jesus’ hearers would have made this connection to Genesis 25 in their heads. (list similarities) It also certainly ended this way because Jesus is our “brother’s keeper” (Genesis 4:9) and he Mizpah’s us. You could conclude with the significance of mutual acceptance and the establishment of peace, showcasing how Esau's acceptance of Jacob's gift reflects Christ’s acceptance of us through His sacrifice. This act of acceptance and peace-building is our New Beginning to extend grace and forgiveness, building peace in our communities in reflection of Christ's peace with us.