Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
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Analytical
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Social Tone
Openness
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Conscientiousness
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Extraversion
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Agreeableness
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Emotional Range
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Tone of specific sentences
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The Father & Mother of Two Sons
Isaac was the son promised to Abraham and Sarah - ;
Rebekah was the daughter of Abraham’s nephew - ;
Rebekah was barren, like Isaac’s mother, Sarah -
Isaac acts piously and faithfully, praying to God, like his father Abraham -
God answered Rebekah’s prayer -
When it appeared there was conflict between God’s promises and reality (great people through Abraham/make a great nation vs. barrenness), Isaac and Rebekah pray to God.
God acts faithfully and answers the prayers—offering a double blessing, twins - ,
These two brothers would equally have a connection to Abraham!
Through Rebekah, but most importantly through Isaac
Which one would God choose to use to fulfill His promises to Abraham?
These two brothers would be born into a spirit of competition and conflict by virtue of the fact that God could viably use either one of them.
To make things more complicated in an already sensitive situation, the parents seemed to have favorites -
The Oldest, a Loser
Esau’s description after the birth:
Esau was red, earthy, or ruddy.
This was a description of handsomeness, like king David - ;
Esau came out as if wearing a “hairy garment.”
Hairy mantles were a symbol of God’s prophetic voice - ; ;
Hairiness was often a sign of heroism, like Samson.
But hair was also associated with running a “fool’s errand” and being a rebel - ;
As Esau grew up, the image of “manliness” is emphasized through his becoming a hunter -
The narrative moves in such a way to build up an expectation that God’s choice will be Esau, the oldest son.
Esau is also on the over-dramatic side -
The narrator draws a comparison between Esau and Rebekah, even though Rebekah is not the one who loves Esau, they demonstrate to have more in common.
Which leads readers to see that Isaac and Jacob will have more in common as the chosen heirs God will use!
The Youngest, a Trickster
Jacob is Esau’s rival.
He came out holding on to Esau’s heel -
Jacob was born as Esau’s rival!
Jacob was a peaceful man, not a hunter -
He was a man who lived in tents -
Jacob would not be found in the fields hunting and slaying animals.
He would more likely be found in the tents cooking the meat his brother brought home -
Am I My Brother’s Keeper?
One of the themes in Genesis is that God uses the younger of siblings: Abel (not Cain); Isaac (not Ishmael); Jacob (not Esau); Rachel (not Leah); Joseph (not his brothers).
Cain asked the question “am I my brother’s keeper?” and the implied answer is “yes.”
Yet, how many families have been destroyed due to lack of love and concern for one another.
When Esau was famished, Jacob exploited him -
Jacob did not outright steal what did not belong to him.
Instead, he made Esau become a sell out -
Esau was the “first” born -
Esau must “first” sell what belonged to him -
Esau proves his unworthiness to receive the birthright.
He willingly vacates his position to be used by God.
Jacob does not prove himself as worthy…yet.
He still has much learning to do.
He would later go on to conspire with Rebekah to deceive Isaac into blessing him, stealing what did belong to Esau.
More is at stake in this sibling rivalry than usual: God’s choice for bringing the Messiah and the One who would bring redemption into the world.
How would our families be different if we appreciated everyone in our family?
How would our congregation be different if we respected everyone and responded with decency?
Lessons of Faith
Isaac would be seen as a man of faith for blessing Jacob and Esau -
Jacob would be recognized as a man of faith by the end of his life -
2. Jacob would be recognized as a man of faith by the end of his life -
2. Isaac would be seen as a man of faith for blessing Jacob and Esau -
The Hebrew writer is concerned with helping people remain faithful through trials -
3. Jacob would be recognized as a man of faith by the end of his life -
The just should live by faith…like Isaac and Jacob -
Esau is seen as one who gives up what he has, seeking to obtain it once again, but forfeiting and refusing what he had -
He comes short of the grace of God!
He is one who draws back and abandons faith -
While it is hard to see good characteristics in Jacob, he became a man of faith!
Esau gave up what he had.
Don’t give up the salvation God has offered through Jesus Christ!
Be faithful and endure!
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