MC Lesson 8.2.26

Costly Appetites | Genesis 25:19-34

The Lesson

Hook (Why Care?)

G

Book (What’s There?)

Beginnings of the Jacob-Esau Cycle

They would continue to wrestle with another as well as their ancestors after them. But God ordained that Jacob would reign over Esau.

The ending of the tension of bareness brings about the tension of the twins.

Connection to Genesis 3?

The heart of each narrative has dialogue that invites someone naive to surrender spiritual blessing for the satisfaction of natural desires.

Center the exposition on Esau as the example of the profane person, Jacob’s actions are the occasion for the disclosure of Esau’s true nature.

The Comparison of the Two

Look (Relevance?)

Theological Relevance

Election of Younger over the Older

The Oracle (Gen. 25:23)

God disregards the societal structure of the day by choosing Jacob to continue in the promise over Esau.

Romans 9:11-12

Prayer

Issac (Gen. 25:21)

Rebekah (Gen. 25:22)

Provision from Bareness

God’s Total Provision

Abraham and his lineage is brought about completely by the creative work of God. As believers, we too are brought into the family of God solely through His redemptive work, not through our own strivings.

Birthright as a Spiritual Heritage

Esau was oblivious to what he had because he was preoccupied with the way he way.

What do we have in Christ?

Took (Next Steps?)

What are the tension points in your life today? Do you trust that God is able to work through them?

For what passion would you sell your birthright? What basic appetites have a strong hold over what you have?

Have you ever experienced anger toward salvation after you became a believer? “I wish I could sin in this way...” “I have to do this...”

Guided Application

What do we have in Christ?

What did you have in the flesh?

Which of these things is greater than Christ?

Do you actually live your life according to the last question?

What spiritual riches do you desire?

In what way do you pursue them?

Sermon Notes

Additional Notes

Verse-by-Verse

vs. 21

Jacob coming to the Lord likely involved some type of sacrifice.

Creation and Blessing: A Guide to the Study and Exposition of Genesis I. God Sovereignly Provides the Recipient of the Promises (19–21)

That this is the predominant point may be seen from the repetition of the verb: “Isaac entreated [wayyeʿtar] the LORD … and the LORD was entreated [wayyēʿāter].” The verb ʿātar thus warrants a closer study as part of the exegetical procedure. Such a study will discover that the verb occurs frequently in the narratives of the plagues of Egypt (

vs. 22

“Struggling” “rāṣaṣ”

Usually used for crushed/oppressed. So Rebekah’s pain was likely great. Which heightens the cycle further.

vs. 24

The naming of the twins helps us understand that Issac and Rebekah commemorated the oracle. (From a later standpoint)

Esau: described only using nouns. Static vs. Jacob’s active description

Jacob: relationship with heel language was likely to have been thought a positive one at the time of naming, and only later does the “sneaky/tricky” side of the word come to a fuller understanding.

Heel “ʾāqēb”, could have “rearguard” understandings or “attack at someone’s heel/surprise”

vs 27

Couplet when describing the twins

cunning hunter, a man of the field - even tempered, dweller of tents

“tām” - even tempered

Usually carries the meaning “perfect, blameless, without blemish”

Some scholars (Maag) see this passage as a demonstration of the ancient world developing away from hunter gather mentalities. The shepherd could plan and control economies.

vs. 28-29

The verb “zid” may show light to the intentions of Jacob. It has also been used to describe presumptuous actions. There is an implication in the text that Jacob was now the one hunting.

The use of the word red is intentional. “Adom” is red. “edom” is Edom. The Edomites are being described as impulsive and profane.

vs. 31-33

Jacob has no moral objections placed on him, he was not deceitful here. There is manipulation though.

vs. 34

“Esau despised his birthright.”

Connection between Heb. 11 & Heb. 12?

What Jacob was desiring was worth desiring.