Day two of week 5
An Appetite for the Immediate
Today's Treasure: Genesis 25: 34
So Esau despised his birthright.
Today's lesson covers the story of Esau giving up his birthright to Jacob over a much desired meal. Esau was in the field hunting and returned in a famished state. When he entered the tent, he demanded a meal from his brother, Jacob. Jacob refused to serve Esau unless he sold Jacob is birthright as the older of the two of them. Esau immediately agreed, telling Jacob that the birthright would be no good to him if he were to starve to death.
It is important for us to realize how "big" of a mess up this was for Esau. To sell your birthright in this culture was unthinkable. Esau was willing to give his up over a bowl of stew. His actions could not have been more offensive. He was basically saying that all his parents had to offer him meant absolutely nothing to him. As you watch the story of Esau and Jacob unfold, you have to keep this initial act of disrespect in mind.
Read Genesis 25: 24 – 34. Note the details that surely fueled the rivalry between Esau and Jacob.
Esau was more of a strapping young man. He loved to hunt and do all the things that we stereotype as male things to do. For this reason, Isaac was drawn to Esau. The Scripture does not beat around the bush in saying that Isaac loved Esau and Rebekah loved Jacob. Jacob was a mama's boy. He was quiet and reserved and liked to remain among the tents. He was ordered around by his mother. We must always remember that Rebekah was enlightened by God himself about what would happen between Esau and Jacob. She knew before they were born that Jacob would rise above his brother.
Surely you know a pair of siblings – young or old – whose differences are remarkable. Describe their variances without any dishonor to either one.
My own children are as different as night and day. It is very difficult to understand how two individuals came from the sam e two parents and could be so different. Landon is not a very organized little boy (much like his mother)!!! He is very easy going and likes to be spontaneous. He can adjust in almost any situation in order to thrive. Ridge is a creature of habit (much like his daddy). He loves to have a routine, and it puts a great deal of stress on him when things change without notice. He tends to be a little more quick-tempered than Landon. It is not out of a mean nature. He actually has a sweeter, more sensitive nature than Landon. His temper is usually out of frustration because his mom is very spontaneous and doesn't always comply with his need for constants.
Landon and Ridge try to make these differences work between them, but it is a constant struggle. They both enjoy a lot of the same things, but they approach them differently. Brian and I love them both so much, and we couldn't imagine spending our lives without both of them. This doesn't seem to be the case with Isaac and Rebekah according to verse 28 of chapter 25.
How does this verse strike you?
"Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, and Rebekah loved Jacob"
This verse is just wrong…it makes me angry to think these children had to deal with their parents obviously choosing between them.
You may find yourself with stronger feelings for one of your children than the other. You may say you cannot change the way you feel. Beth argues that YOU might not be able to, but you can change the way you think…which will lead to a change in the way you feel. She calls this having a renewed mind. It gets you away from the "same old" thoughts and into a new, healthier mindset.
Describe some "same old thoughts" that parents who show partiality might think.
I love the child that I get along with
I love the child that doesn't give me as many problems
I love the child that tries hardest to please me
Fill in the following blank:
"Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob"
Look back at Genesis 25: 22 – 23. Who is the only person who heard God's prophecy over the twins first-hand?
Rebekah
I think Rebekah had been trying to help God keep His word all Jacob's life. If you understand what I mean, say it in your own words
"The older will serve the younger" probably sounded through Rebekah's mind on a daily basis. I am sure she made an effort to make Jacob the stronger of the two in order to ensure that Jacob end up the leader through her parenting. She kept Jacob close by so she could prepare him to be the leader. After all, that is what God intended for Jacob. Wasn't it her responsibility to make sure what God wanted could happen? Actually Rebekah, this was God's job….not yours!!!
How do you imagine words like "cooking, preparing and seething" describe Jacob? Think beyond a pot of stew
Well, since Jacob liked to manipulate situations in order to come out on top, he had to spend a lot of time planning each move he made. So, he was a planner and schemer.
Scripture rounds out the crass picture of Esau. What does Hebrews 12: 16 say?
It says that Esau was a godless man. He was perverse, sexually immoral and godless because he thought so little of his birthright that he was willing to sell it for a bowl of stew.
Record what the following Scriptures tell you about your inheritance
God calls us to a rich inheritance
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Colossians 3: 23 – 24
Work as though you are working for the Lord, not man. He will supply all of your reward.
Our inheritance as children of the one true God is eternal life with the Creator of all the earth. God does not want us to take this lightly. Don't offend Him by being willing to sell yourself out to this world. Will the bowl of stew you enjoy today be worth losing eternity over?
Have a wonderful day and share in all of God's glory
Tiffany
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