Enmity Between Brothers Gen 27-28

Transcription

1 Enmity Between Brothers Gen I. Introduction and review A. When Esau learned what had happened, he cried 1. What kind of tears did he shed 2. Sometimes you don t realize the value of something, until you lose it B. What is a Birthright and what is a Blessing C. The birthright 1. When a son is awarded or assigned the birthright that means that: a. He will inherit the majority of the family s estate b. He will become the family s leader c. He will take over the spiritual heritage of the family 2. The birthright normally goes to the oldest son 3. The birthright can be transferred to another son, usually by the father D. The blessing 1. The birthright was bestowed by the blessing 2. The father can choose to give the birthright to whichever son he wishes and he can change his mind often if he chooses 3. But once he blesses the son to whom he is assigning the birthright, the decision is made and he cannot change his mind anymore, it is permanent E. Isaac had decided to give the birthright to Esau, even though Esau had sold it and even though God had selected Jacob to be the one to receive them F. Why did Isaac tremble so violently when he learned what had happened? Page 1 of 5

2 1. You tremble because you are afraid 2. Isaac was afraid of what God would do to him 3. As a result he voluntarily blesses Jacob again [as we will see] II. The enmity begins [27:41-45] A. It starts with Esau bearing a grudge 1. Then that grudge becomes a root of bitterness in his heart 2. That bitterness produces anger 3. And then the anger demand death 4. This jealous anger blinds Esau a. Didn t Jacob have the right to the blessing because Esau sold him his birthright b. What right does Esau have to be angry c. Many times we convince ourselves that our anger is justified when it rarely is 5. When you lose something of great value, or when those who shouldn t, successfully conspire against you, your natural reaction is anger and rage a. This kind of reaction can be controlled b. First recognize your action for what it is c. Second tell God in detail what has happened to you, about your loss or what they did to you d. Third explain to Him the consequences of their action in your life or the result of your loss e. Fourth relate to Him in detail how you feel and the emotions you Page 2 of 5

3 are experiencing f. Fifth ask God to give you: (1) strength to deal with the situation (2) wisdom as to how to react or respond (3) guidance as to what to do g. Sixth ask God to help you to see the opportunities that even your bad situation may provide B. Rebekah comes up with a plan 1. Her son Jacob should go and stay with her brother, Laban in Paddan-aram 2. When the anger of esau subsides, Rebekah will send word to her son to return 3. She obviously believes that it will only be a relatively short time before she sends him word to return 4. Rebekah never saw her son Jacob again C. Then she thinks of a way to better her plan and to involve Isaac in it 1. Isaac is extremely disturbed by the marriages of his son Esau to Canaanite women 2. So Rebekah convinces him to send Jacob to her home to find a wife, just as Abraham did for Isaac 3. Isaac is happy to adopt this plan 4. And consider the blessing he now voluntarily gives to Jacob a. He uses the name El Shaddai b. He speaks over him a reproductive blessing Page 3 of 5

4 c. He passes on the promise of Abraham d. He grants him the land God promised Abraham 5. Why does Isaac transfer what Abraham had to Jacob, instead of passing it to Jacob from himself? 6. Why did Isaac bless Jacob in this way? a. He recognized God s plan and now chose to be a part of it D. Almost as confirmation of Isaac s change of heart [28:6-9] 1. Esau marries into Ishmael s family 2. He believes that this marriage will please his mother and father 3. This action on Esau s part confirms that he has no spiritual insight III. Jacob s departure [28:10] A. Jacob now leaves on a journey to Paddan-aram 1. Jacob was the home boy, now he is to be a world traveler 2. He s looking at a trip of approximately 500 miles 3. He s fleeing from an angry, malevolent brother 4. He s facing an unknown future 5. And only his father s blessing and example to guide and instruct him B. Why would God put him in that position or situation? 1. To teach him to trust in his God and not in himself 2. His nature is to and his mother taught him to deceive and supplant 3. God now has to change that to change Jacob into Israel 4. This will require major upheaval in Jacob s life 5. But God will use that to strengthen Jacob s character Page 4 of 5

5 6. Jacob will face a long period of forced dependence on God alone 7. Why does Jacob need this? a. Several reasons (1) Jacob s natural character (2) Jacob s family (a) (b) his family was dominated by his mother the family was also seriously effected by the worldliness of Esau (c) finally the father s weakness always weighs on the family b. It is essential that Jacob get out on his own if his character and faith are ever going to be built into the stature which his role in God s economy will require 8. How will he respond? 9. How will you respond? Page 5 of 5