SF301 - GOD CHOOSING JACOB (Genesis 25 23-28)
Genesis 25:23‑28
INTRODUCTION:
The story of Jacob is the story of us all. There is some Jacob in all of us. We can all identify with who Jacob was and what he did.
The story of Jacob is the story of Jacob...
‑Lying
‑Listening
‑Learning
‑Limping
‑Leaning
In Genesis we see…
God choosing Jacob
God challenging Jacob
God chastening Jacob
God changing Jacob
I want to talk to you tonight about God choosing Jacob.
1A. Why Would God Choose Jacob? (Romans 9:1-13)
1B. Esau: the choice of man
Fit the pattern (firstborn)
Outdoorsman (25:27)
Outgoing
All‑American Male
2B. Jacob: the choice of God
Reasons not to choose Jacob
Because of his name (25:26)
Jacob means he grasps the heel (figuratively, he deceives).
Because of his nature
Ø Implied in his attributes
He was not the firstborn
He was quite, not outgoing (25:27)
He was a homebody, not a outdoorsman. (25:28)
Ø Expressed in his attitudes
He was incurably impatient
He was unbelievably greedy
He was incredibly crafty
Ø Exposed in his actions
He defeated his brother. (25:29‑34)
He deceived his father. (27:19‑30)
Reasons to Choose Jacob
"I know of no reason for God to choose Jacob, because in him was no good thing."
There was a day in the life of Jacob when he chose God but never a day when Esau chose God.
2A. Why Would God Choose You?
1B. The fact of God’s choice (Ephesians 1:4-6)
2B. The force of God’s choice (Romans 9:10-18)
There is absolutely nothing anyone can do to deserve (merit) God’s grace (9:10-12; 3:10, 23)
Those of mankind that are predestined to life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of His mere free grace and love, without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving Him thereunto. (2nd London Confession, Chap. 3, Sec 5)
God is just and right in all that He does (9:14)
Psalm 119:68 You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes.
God is absolutely free and sovereign in His choice. (9:15-16)
God chooses some to salvation and some to eternal punishment. (9:17-18)
Proverbs 16:4 The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.
John 12:39-40 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: 40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.”
Ø Salvation is purely by grace in spite of our sins.
Ø Eternal punishment is the result of God’s righteous judgment on our sins.
Application
How can you know if God has chosen you?
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and begin to obey Him.