Isaac's Family

Tale Of Two Nations

Isaac was promised that his offspring would be part of the covenant that God made with his father Abraham. Isaac got married when he was 40 and had children when he was 60. Once again this is God’s providence in taking Rebekah’s barrenness away and blessing her with twins at the age of 60. She had complications with the pregnancy. She went and inquired of the Lord and the Lord told her that she had two nations inside of her. The Lord also told her that one would be stronger than the other and that the older would serve the younger.

The two nations represented were Judah and Edom. Jacob represented Judah and Esau represented Edom. The Edomites and Israel have always been at contention with one another. Read Obadiah!

Esau would be stronger physically than Jacob but Jacob would be stronger spiritually. We see that Esau grew up to be an outdoorsman where Jacob grew up as a peaceful man living in the tents. Esau lived for the outdoors and could care less about a book. Jacob was not inclined to the outdoors but enjoyed reading the law of the Lord.

Esau would end up serving Jacob. This is because Jacob tricked him out of his birthright. This did fulfill what the Lord commanded would happen, but was it right? This brings us to our discussion. God’s will is going to be accomplished, but is it right to try to accomplish it deceptively? God’s will is meant to test our faith, our patience, and our endurance. We must not stoop to deceptive ways to accomplish the will of God.

A Tale Of Favoritism

Isaac loved Esau and Rebekah loved Jacob. They were both selfish in why they showed favoritism. Isaac loved venison and Rebekah loved the fact that Jacob spent tie with her. I am sure they loved them both but the Word of God indicates that there was favoritism shown.

We love our kids. We may even love our kids differently. The way a dad loves his daughter is different than his son. The way a mother loves her son is different than the way she loves her daughter. It is okay to love differently, but it is not okay to love unequally.

How does showing favoritism in a family create problems?

In what ways do people show favoritism towards their kids?

What can you do to preventing this from happening?

Giving Up A Birthright

Esau came in from the field from hunting and wanted some of the stew Jacob had prepared. Jacob offered it to him if he would give him his birthright. Esau considered his current hunger and willingly gave up his birthright to satisfy his current hunger. He traded a future permanent right for a temporary pleasure.

One might say why would he do this. It is easy to understand when you don’t value what is truly important. He made a mountain out of a mole hill. He was not starving to death, but made it seem as if he was going to die if he didn’t get some of the stew. This is a principle that we must learn. Don’t make too much of what is temporary.

What Esau gave up was his right to the majority of the inheritance, the right to lead the family after Isaac died, but most importantly the inherited promise of God to be the patriarch of a great nation.

Esau was more concerned with the here and now rather than the future and forever.

When people are reluctant to enter into a relationship with Jesus for fear that they will lose control of their lives is the same a s giving up your birthright.

What do you see people going after and trading their birthright for?

How can we help people to make the right choice?