Esua sells his Birthright

In Genesis ch 24. we read the love story of how Issac and Rebecca met and got married. It’s one of the most touching chapters in the entire book of Genesis

67 verses

Issac is a type of Christ

the Father Abraham sends his Servant, Elieser

Abrahams Servant is a type of the Holy Spirit, he is an example of a spirit filled Christian

his obedience in his every step, walking in faith

his prayer, specific to his task, giving God his due worship and glory.

Rebecca the bride

was sought after and

her willingness to go, to the unknown with the unknown, but

willing to choose to go do the will of God

She is a type of the church, who is the bride of Christ.

Ch 25 begins with the death of Abraham.

He lived to the age of 175. “ He breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man satisfied with life, and he was gathered to his people.

Issac was 40 years old when he took Rebecca as his wife,

Genesis 25:21 (NKJV)

21 Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

prayer -

The Tale of Two sons

Genesis 25:22 (NKJV)

22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.

How many of you remember when you were in moms tummy? what do you remember when you were 1 or 2?

These two were struggling together in the womb.

the Prophesy

Genesis 25:23 (NKJV)

23 And the Lord said to her: “Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.”

Genesis 25:24–26 (NKJV)

24 So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. 25 And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

Now many often ask of God; is it fair of God to choose one and not the other?

Sometimes when we are unhappy over what seems to be happening in our lives, we complain to God, and the essence of our complaint is that God owes us more than we are getting. We feel that he is not treating us fairly.

God gifts are all of Grace.

Salvation is of grace, being chosen by God is of grace. Even our faith is a gift of God.

no one can take any credit or boast.

Ephesians 2:8–9 (NKJV)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Romans 9:6–13 (NLT)

6 Well then, has God failed to fulfill his promise to Israel? No, for not all who are born into the nation of Israel are truly members of God’s people! 7 Being descendants of Abraham doesn’t make them truly Abraham’s children. For the Scriptures say, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted,” though Abraham had other children, too. 8 This means that Abraham’s physical descendants are not necessarily children of God. Only the children of the promise are considered to be Abraham’s children. 9 For God had promised, “I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” 10 This son was our ancestor Isaac. When he married Rebekah, she gave birth to twins. 11 But before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, she received a message from God. (This message shows that God chooses people according to his own purposes; 12 he calls people, but not according to their good or bad works.) She was told, “Your older son will serve your younger son.” 13 In the words of the Scriptures, “I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau.”

Jacob I have Loved

God made his choice of Jacob before they were born, before either of them had any opportunity to live righteously, or to choose to follow God. That is a work of the Holy Spirit and the election of God. Based on God foreknowledge Jacob was predestined to carry the messianic line that would lead to the promised Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

Genesis 25:27–28 (NKJV)

27 So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. 28 And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Here we have favoritism:

Issac loved Esau.

Esau was a mans man, handsome, strong and tall, ruddy and vigorous. he was a skilled hunter.

Issac was obviously a meat and potatoes kind of Dad.

Rebecca love Jacob, he was a mommy’ boy. he love living in the tents , being peaceful, you know the reader type guys who are quite, helpful around the house chores.

Genesis 25:29–34 (NKJV)

29 Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called Edom. 31 But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.” 32 And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?” 33 Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Jacob understood the blessing of the birthright and pursued it. its a good thing to pursue the things of God.

Jacob was pursuing a good thing in a bad way.

When the bible says, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated”

God hates the decision when someone despises God.

What good is a Birthright?

from a human viewpoint the birthright was Esau’s, being the oldest.

Esau wasn't interested in spiritual things, he didn't care to know God and understand the patriarchy

Terrible truth is found in the last verse.

“he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.”

This sums up Esau’s character. this attitude allowed him to willingly let spiritual things slide away.

Esau was no heathen, son of Issac, grandson of Abraham. raised in a home with godly parents and influences. If anyone was ever raised with an abundance of spiritual advantages, it was Esau. Yet Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage, just as many do today, though they have the advantages of a deep and prolonged exposure to Christianity

Are you one of these persons?

Are you despising your birthright,

Are you choosing the savory stew of this world?

If you have not committed yourself fully to Christ and are not going on with him, with all the strength at your disposal, that is precisely what you are doing. You are an Esau, whom the author of Hebrews calls a “godless” person.

What do you give up?

The benefits of Christs death and resurrection, forgiveness and salvation for the wrath of Gods punishment.

you're giving up eternal life in heaven

The benefits of Gods written word - you're not studying it, praying over it, or laying up truth in your heart.

in the days of Esau, they didn't have the written book of the bible we have today. oh that you'd learn to appreciate the treasure of Gods word.

The benefits of being part of the church, which is gods work on the land. The preaching of the gospel which God uses to save people. The church is where we get the words and application of Christs words to social and spiritual problems.

Esau had no time for God. No time for spiritual things.

The wicked and godless despise such blessings.

The Warning

Do not refuse Him who speaks

Hebrews 12:14–25 (NLT)

14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. 16 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. 17 You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears. 18 You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. 19 For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. 20 They staggered back under God’s command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” 21 Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, “I am terrified and trembling.” 22 No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. 23 You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. 24 You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel. 25 Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven!