The Beginning (35)

So, we ended last time with the relationships of Abraham and the outflow of the those before the Lord.

We also were able to see how God keeps His promises...even when what has come from the specific generations of Abraham are unsavory.

Today we pick up in the life of Jacob and Esau and really the outflow of God’s purpose in the life of each.

Let’s begin with a little background on the current situation in the text.

Genesis 25:27 ESV

27 When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents.

Esau — he had his father’s heart because of his “manly” appearance, outdoor abilities, and his sharing in the same affinities as his father.

Likewise — Jacob had his mother’s love...he seemingly was a momma’s boy. In addition, he did the things, which in their society, would have been understood as normal for women and not men.

So maybe their affinity for each child respectively seemed normal, but it is anything but.

Think for just a moment of one parent saying I like this one and you like that one. Seems weird, right?

Now let’s look at the text for tonight:

Genesis 25:28–34 ESV

28 Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) 31 Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” 32 Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” 33 Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Be mindful of the fact that the struggle in the birthing process is the transition to where these men would have been all of their days.

In essence, the struggle of Jacob pulling the heal of his brother was foreshadowing of their total life.

What do these two transitional verses, vs. 27-28, reveal to us about the relationship amongst the brothers and their parents?

2. When people are tired, do we make abnormal and poor decisions? vs. 29-30

Be mindful that Edom means red in Hebrew and thus his nickname.

3. What do we understand about making decisions in the wrong frame of mind or out of pressure in vs. 31? How significant is the decision being made in vs. 32-33?

4. How does Esau”s failure become an example from this time forward? (Heb. 12:16)

Hebrews 12:16 ESV

16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.

5. Why did the writer of Hebrews consider Esau “unholy” for selling his birthright? What makes this unholy rather than just a poor decision?

6. What was the birthright? What about the blessing?

Deuteronomy 21:17 ESV

17 but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the firstfruits of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his.

Genesis 27:36 ESV

36 Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.” Then he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?”

7. What is significant about the manner, process, and the exit in this transaction?

Genesis 25:34 ESV

34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

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