Day 4
Read Genesis 25:19-34
Abraham’s family line continues, as his son Isaac now has two sons--Jacob and Esau. Similar to
most siblings, Jacob and Esau had their moments of disagreement and conflict. However, for
these two, the rivalry was much deeper.
Genesis 25:23
The LORD said to her,
“Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples from within you will be separated;
one people will be stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger.”
The question arises, if there are two great nations within Rebekah, which one will carry on the
blessing that God gave to Abraham? Which of these nations will become great? You can feel the
tension in this point of the story from the moment these twin boys were born.
In an interesting turn of events, Esau loses the birthright and the blessing to Jacob. First, in
Genesis 25:29-33, we see Esau give away his birthright for a bowl of soup. Then a little later in
Genesis 27, we learn that Jacob disguised himself as Esau and tricked his father Isaac into giving
the blessing to Jacob rather than Esau. That answers our question of who will carry on the
promise that God gave to Abraham, but what can we take away from this?
One takeaway from this odd story of a man selling his birthright (think of land, animals, money,
these types of things that someone would inherit after their parents’ death) is this--Esau gave
up the greater reward because he was short sighted. He wanted what he wanted, and he didn’t
care what it cost him. Twenty-two chapters later, after Adam and Eve took the fruit, we can still
see the effects of sin in the world. As Esau was ruled by his own desires and lacking patience, he
lost everything for a bowl of soup. Just reading this, we should be reminded of ourselves.
God has adopted you into his family, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now
that you are a son or daughter, you are an heir (Galatians 4:7). That means that you have a
birthright or an inheritance from your heavenly father! Don’t lose patience and ignore this
birthright for momentary pleasure, satisfaction or even just what looks desirable in the
moment. Learn from Esau’s mistake and don’t let your desires rule your life.
Questions to consider.
1. In Galatians 4:7 Paul says that we are heirs through God. What are some things that you
think we will inherit from our heavenly Father?
2. Where are you still led by your own desires? How can you practice patience and keep a
long-term perspective in these moments?
3. Take some time and reflect, maybe even write down all the reasons that Jesus and all he
offers is better than the things of this world. Take some time to soak all those reasons in
and pray to ask God that He would remind you that He is better in moments you are
tempted to run to the wrong things that offer instant gratification.
Abraham’s family line continues, as his son Isaac now has two sons--Jacob and Esau. Similar to
most siblings, Jacob and Esau had their moments of disagreement and conflict. However, for
these two, the rivalry was much deeper.
Genesis 25:23
The LORD said to her,
“Two nations are in your womb,
and two peoples from within you will be separated;
one people will be stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger.”
The question arises, if there are two great nations within Rebekah, which one will carry on the
blessing that God gave to Abraham? Which of these nations will become great? You can feel the
tension in this point of the story from the moment these twin boys were born.
In an interesting turn of events, Esau loses the birthright and the blessing to Jacob. First, in
Genesis 25:29-33, we see Esau give away his birthright for a bowl of soup. Then a little later in
Genesis 27, we learn that Jacob disguised himself as Esau and tricked his father Isaac into giving
the blessing to Jacob rather than Esau. That answers our question of who will carry on the
promise that God gave to Abraham, but what can we take away from this?
One takeaway from this odd story of a man selling his birthright (think of land, animals, money,
these types of things that someone would inherit after their parents’ death) is this--Esau gave
up the greater reward because he was short sighted. He wanted what he wanted, and he didn’t
care what it cost him. Twenty-two chapters later, after Adam and Eve took the fruit, we can still
see the effects of sin in the world. As Esau was ruled by his own desires and lacking patience, he
lost everything for a bowl of soup. Just reading this, we should be reminded of ourselves.
God has adopted you into his family, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now
that you are a son or daughter, you are an heir (Galatians 4:7). That means that you have a
birthright or an inheritance from your heavenly father! Don’t lose patience and ignore this
birthright for momentary pleasure, satisfaction or even just what looks desirable in the
moment. Learn from Esau’s mistake and don’t let your desires rule your life.
Questions to consider.
1. In Galatians 4:7 Paul says that we are heirs through God. What are some things that you
think we will inherit from our heavenly Father?
2. Where are you still led by your own desires? How can you practice patience and keep a
long-term perspective in these moments?
3. Take some time and reflect, maybe even write down all the reasons that Jesus and all he
offers is better than the things of this world. Take some time to soak all those reasons in
and pray to ask God that He would remind you that He is better in moments you are
tempted to run to the wrong things that offer instant gratification.