Jacob and Esau

TEXT: Gen. 25:19-24

INTRODUCTION:

A. AS IN ALL OLD TESTAMENT STORIES, THERE ARE SOME LESSONS.

1. The 1st has to do with prayer.

2. The 2nd has to do with children.

3. The 3rd has to do with Esau’s profane attitude.

B. WE MAY BENEFIT FROM STUDY OF JACOB AND ESAU.

I. PRAYER WAS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THEIR LIVES(vs. 21 ).

A. FAMILY PRACTICE ( Gen. 12:8; 14:22; 18:22 ).

1. An expression of trust ( Heb. 11:8-10 ).

2. We share in that trust ( Gal. 3:6-7 ).

B. WE EXPRESS OUR FAITH IN PRAYER AS WELL ( Luke 18:1; James 5:16 ).

C. 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

II. CHILDREN IN ISRAEL ( vs. 21 ).

A. THE PRAYER OF ISAAC … FOR CHILDREN.

B. RACHEL’S COMPLAINT ( Gen. 30:1; 33:5 ).

C. HANNAH’S LAMENT ( 1 Sam. 1:4-11, 20 ).

D. THE PROMISE ( Gen. 12:1-3 ).

E. ATTITUDES REFLECTED IN PSALMS AND PROVERBS:

1. Psa. 113:1-2, 9; 127:3-5; 128.

2. Proverbs 17:6.

II. CONTRAST OF JACOB AND ESAU.

A. 1. Esau means "hairy."

2. Esau was an outdoorsman.

3. Esau favored by Isaac.

4. Esau came first.

5. Esau married a Canaanite.

1. Jacob means "supplanter."

2. Jacob was a quiet man.

3. Jacob favored by Rebekah.

4. Jacob received firstborn’s portion.

5. Jacob married from the daughters of Laban, his uncle.

B. ESAUS’S PROBLEM:

1. He was profane ( Heb. 12:16-17 ). "the primary sense is "that may be trodden." Compare the Latin: profanus, "before the temple," on the ground outside. What is permitted to be trodden by people at large is "unhallowed, profane." Esau is called bebeelos (NT:952) in Heb 12:16, as one who did not regard his birthright as sacred, but as something to be sold in order to supply a common need." (Vincent - 1 Tim 1:9)

Esau’s thinking was earthbound – profane. To him the blessings of the future seemed unreal and thus he did not appreciate his birthright. Pottage is needed and good, but he despised his birthright.

2. We ought not to be "profane," despising OUR birthright.

a. Consider the result of Esau’s worldliness ( Heb. 12:17 ).

b. This world is not lasting ( Matt. 6:19-21; 1 John 2:15-17 ).

c. If we are diligently trying to serve God, he will care for us( Matt. 6:33 ).

d. We must not profane our birthright ( Heb. 10:28-31 ).

e. It is worth everything ( Matt. 13:44-46 ).

f. Jesus comes first ( Luke 14:26 ).

g. How good is our aim ( Col. 3:1-4 ).

CONCLUSION:

A. ARE YOU LIKE ESAU? WE HOPE NOT!

B. YOU MUST DO ALL TO OBTAIN.

C. YOU MUST PROTECT YOUR INHERITANCE.
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