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Sibling Rivalry Genesis 25:1-34 (read 1-18 but sermon will focus on 19-34)25:1-18 reminds us that Isaac and not Ishmael is the true heir of Abraham. Now we move into the story of Isaac, which focuses on his son Jacob. Prayer for illumination: please join me in prayer. Sermon Introduction: here is the story of Scott Hatteberg as told in the #1 NYT bestseller “Money Ball”. “The lights on the Christmas tree were off, his daughters were in bed, his wife was asleep- and he was up, walking around. His right hand still felt like it belonged to someone else. He’d played half a season for the Red Sox with a ruptured nerve in his elbow, that he crushed each time he straightened his throwing arm. He’d finally caved, and had the nerve moved back where it was meant to be; but when the operation was over he couldn’t hold a baseball, much less throw one… The Boston Red Sox had given up on him- just last week, they traded him to the Colorado Rockies for infielder Pokey Reese.”When the Rockies realized they had a catcher that could not throw they released him. Scott was washed up, threw, finished! What do you call a baseball player that can’t throw? Unemployed. It was very unlikely that any MLB team would hire him. But at 12:01am on December 21st one minute after his contract with the Rockies expired he received a phone call from the office of the Oakland Athletics. Somebody wanted him! “This was truly odd. Hatteberg hadn’t the slightest idea why the Oakland A’s were so interested in him. All he saw was that one major league baseball team treated him like a used carpet in a Moroccan garage sale, twenty –eight other teams had no interest in him whatsoever, and one team was so wildly enthusiastic about him they couldn’t wait till the morning to make him an offer. It was unlikely that any baseball team would choose Scott Hatteberg for anything. This brings us to Genesis 25 this morning. This is a story of God choosing to shower blessings on a very unlikely/unworthy person. Maybe you think that you are unlikely to be chosen by God! This story of God choosing Jacob is for you. This story is really for all of us because none of us deserve to be chosen by God. To understand God’s unlikely chose of an unworthy person we are going to look at two things this morning. Jacob’s barren mother Jacob’s unworthy nature First, Jacobs barren mother Of course we are referring to Rebekah. Let’s look at… Rebekah’s expectations! Look with me at verses 19-20. Genesis 25:19–20 (ESV) — 19 These are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham fathered Isaac, 20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife.These verses connect Isaac with Abraham. God promised Abraham that he would have as many offspring as the stars in the sky. These offspring were going to come through Isaac. We can be sure that Isaac did not wait long to tell his young wife Rebekah what God had promised his Father. Their conversation probably went something like this- Isaac - “Rebekah, God has promised to give my father thousands and thousands of descendants” Rebekah- “but I’m his only daughter in law”Isaac- “Yes, that means we will have lots of children”She probably remembered clearly the blessing she received just before she left her homeland. Genesis 24:60 (ESV) — 60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become thousands of ten thousands, and may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate him!”Rebekah must have had great expectations for lots of children. Those were Rebekah’s expectations lets look at… Rebekah’s experience! Look with me at verse 20. Genesis 25:21 (ESV) — 21 And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived.We expect to hear a birth announcement instead we hear of bareness. This is especially bizarre since Rebekah’s husband is the supernaturally conceived child of promise, yet he can’t conceive with his wife. At the beginning of the scene the narrator notes that Isaac is 40 years old. This is when he prays to the lord. It is not until the end of the scene that God answers this prayer and at this point we read that Isaac is 60. This means that Rebekah has been waiting for twenty long years. Imagine getting married at age 20 and still having no children at age 40. Unfortunately for some of you this is not very hard to imagine. Fortunately God comes to the rescue and answers Isaac’s prayer. But instead of being overjoyed Rebekah is terrified. Rebekah’s expectationsRebekah’s experience Rebekah’s enquiry She asks God a question… Genesis 25:22 (ESV) — 22 The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.The text literally says – “the children smashed themselves inside of her.” Some translations go on to render her question- “If it is to be this way, why do I go on living?” These were no ordinary fetal movements and these were no ordinary twins. They represented the birth of two nations that would go on fighting long after Jacob and Esau were dead. App- Maybe life has not turned out the way you expected! Life did not turn out the way Rebekah expected. She expected children but did not get conceive for twenty years. And when she finally conceives she says in verse 22 “why is this happening to me?” In other words why are these boys in my womb causing such pain? God’s timetable is often not our timetable. Abraham waited 25 years for a son, Isaac was 40 when he got married, Jacob labored 14 years for Rachael, Joseph waited 20 years to get reconciled to his brothers, Moses was an old man when God used him to deliver Israel. God’s timing might include some delays but his timing is never wrong. He does what he does when he does it for a reason. From a human perspective it seemed unlikely that Rebekah would be barren after all the promises made to Abraham. But she was barren so that God could show his power through her weakness.God wants to show his power through your weaknesses as well. What are you struggling with right now? What are you waiting for right now? Be patient and cry out to God. He wants to show his power in your weakness. His timetable is always perfect. It is never too soon and never too late. First, Jacob’s barren mother Second, Jacob’s unworthy nature Why is Jacob unworthy of God’s blessings? His age! Look at verse 23 Genesis 25:23 (ESV) — 23 And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”This statement did not seem right to the ANE audience because they understood the laws of primogeniture. These laws stated that the first-born would be the favored son. The older soon got a double portion of what everyone else go when Dad died. More on this in a moment! But here God flip-flops the order. He claims that the younger will be served by the older. Jacob is unworthy because of his age! Why else is Jacob unworthy? His assets (he is weaker)! Look at verse 23 again. Genesis 25:23 (ESV) — 23 And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”Not only is Jacob younger the text says that he is weaker. This is made clear as the story unfolds. Jacob is a mama’s boy while Esau is a man’s man. Think of Jacob as mister Rogers and Esau as John Wayne. Genesis 25:27–28 (ESV) — 27 When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.Esau was a man of the sword (Gen 27:40). Again picture John Wayne or Rambo! While Jacob was “a quiet man.” The term quiet man is hard to translate. According to Waltke the Hebrew word for quiet means civilized or fine. This probably means that Jacob was well cultured or civilized compared to his wild brother. Think of Mister Rogers in his cardigan sweater. Jacob is unworthy because of his age and his assets… Why else is Jacob unworthy of God’s blessings? His actions! Look at verses 24-26 Genesis 25:24–26 (ESV) — 24 When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel (what did the midwives think!!!), so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.These verses give us colorful descriptions of both boys. One commentator points out that Esau is described “more like and animal of the field than and ordinary baby…” (Ross, 440) We read in Gen 27:17 that he remained a hairy dude and in Gen 27:27 we read that he smelled of the field. He was a hunter who probably had a gun rack in the back of his dully Chevy with a lift kit, who smelled, and probably chewed tobacco! He defiantly wore camouflage hats and listened to country music. Another commentator writes- “Their descriptions poke fun at both: a hairy monster and a heel- clutcher.” (Waltke, 358) In these verses we learn about Jacob’s unworthy actions- The original meaning of Jacob was something like “May God protect” but in the Hebrew it is a pun and also sounds like “heel grabber”. He comes out of the womb fighting. He desperately wants what his brother has. Both boys have issues. This action of grabbing his brother’s heal was just the beginning. A couple hundred years later when Moses leads the Israelites through the desert he politely asks the king of Edom (a direct descendent of Esau) if Israel can pass through the land and the king of Edom rudely refuses. This results in war. Later on King David kills 18,000 Edomites in battle. (2 Sam 8:13-14) Five hundred years later Edom makes a pact with the Babylonians and together they destroy the city of Jerusalem in 586. Jacob’s actions born long term bitter fruit. Jacob is unworthy of God’s blessings because of his age, his assets, his actions.Why else is Jacob unworthy? His Avarice! Look with me at verses 29-34 The word avarice means an insatiable greed for riches. Genesis 25:29–34 (ESV) — 29 Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) The original translation is more undignified. The verb for eat conveys the idea of gulping down food. The Rabbis used this word to describe shoving food down the throat of an animal. The literal translation would read- “Let me gulp down (or devour) some of that red stuff, this red stuff.” Red and stew were similar words in Hebrew. Edom is the word for red, which is why Esau’s descendants are called the Edomites. 31 Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” 32 Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” 33 Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.Esau is a famished fool. His God is his stomach. All he can think about is food. I can relate! When I’m really hungry I’m not good for much conversation, ask my wife! All I can think about is slaking my hunger. Esau only thinks about short-term satisfaction. He can’t defer gratification!!! (there is loads of application here) Esau asks for some stew and Jacob exploits him. He responds by saying “sell me your birthright now”. Notice he does not say please. And notice that Jacob’s demand is quick and calculated which means he has been thinking about this for a while. He is a schemer. He says “Sell me your birthright NOW”. Then he says “swear to me NOW”. He wants it bad. By having the oldest son’s birthright he would receive a double portion of his Father’s wealth and blessing. If there are five sons the oldest son gets 2 portions and the other four split 3 portions. If there are only two sons the oldest gets everything. Esau says “what God is a birthright to me when I’m starving”. Jacob says “swear to me now” in other words I’m not messing around. “You need to guarantee me that you will sell it to me for a pot of stew.” He wants an oath, a legally binding agreement, not just a promise. Rarely does the narrator in Genesis comment on the situation but here he does so we need to pay attention. The narrator says “Thus Esau despised his birthright” Esau is a fool. The birthright meant nothing to him. He is driven by his appetites and lacks wisdom. Clearly, he should not be the one whom carries on the line of Abraham. But Jacob is not worthy either. He is a “heel grabber” driven by his avarice. Later on he deceives his father Isaac and father in law Laban. He seems to have no scruples. When this story ends neither brother is worthy of God’s blessing. Neither one is likely to be chosen by God. Application: So why does God chose to bless Jacob? After all he received all the rights of the first-born. He has twelve sons who become the twelve tribes of Israel. But he is a very unlikely candidate for blessing. In fact, he seems to be one of the most unlikely candidates for blessing I can think of. Why does god bless this unworthy and unlikely candidate? We have in inspired commentary on this passage in the NT. Romans 9:10–15 (ESV) — 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”Jacob was not chosen because he was morally superior to his brother. He was not chosen because he chose God first. He was not chosen because God saw potential in him. He was chosen because God likes to pour out grace on very broken unworthy people. John 15:16 (ESV) — 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.God offers no explanation and no apologies for his choice! He choses whom he choses and none of us deserve to be chosen. If this seems unfair to you it is because you think that some of us are worthy of choosing. None of us are worthy of choosing. We are like Jacob. Romans 3:10–17 (ESV) — 10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” 13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” 14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known.” We will not be overwhelmed, amazed, and transformed by grace until we realize that we are just as unworthy as Esau. The key to gospel transformation is a good dose of Biblical reality. It is good to be humbled! It is good to realize that we owe everything to God’s grace. He chooses unworthy and unlikely candidates to be his sons and daughters. 1 Corinthians 1:27–29 (ESV) — 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. Conclusion: The story of Jacob is a story of God doing things in an unexpected and unconventional ways. It was very unconventional to grant the rights of primogeniture to the youngest son. God did something even more unexpected and unconventional many years later. God sends his one and only son to be born of a virgin in a poor insignificant town (Elk Washington). Jesus grew up in obscurity as a carpenter not as a political leader or military champion. He taught all kinds of unconventional things- The first will be lastThe greatest will be the servant of allYou must become like a children to enter God’s kingdomYou must be born a second time The most unconventional thing of all was the fact that he sent his son to suffer and die on a cruel roman cross so that his enemies could be forgiven and brought into a relationship with God. And the way to get in on all the blessings of Jesus is very unconventional. All religions except for Christianity teach that one is saved by doing something! In Buddhism salvation is found when one ceases all desire in order to realize the non-existence of one’s self otherwise known as Nirvana. In Hinduism one must seek to detach oneself from one’s desires in order to attain enlightenment. In Islam one must submit to Allah by participating in the five pillars of Islam. All religions of the world give “good advice”. Do this and you will be saved. Christianity is not good advice it is good news. It is the good news of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ in his life, death, and resurrection. All one must do to be saved; to experience forgiveness, cleansing, healing, heaven, and joy is trust that Jesus can save you. That is it. Dave it can’t be that simple. My life is a mess. I have really screwed things up. If God only knew what I thought about, what I did in my past, and the things I say he would not accept me. I have done some really disgusting things. Sometimes people have a hard time believing that God can wash away their sins. But it is important to realize that he does not wash our sins away with soap and water, as if that would do the trick. He washes our sins away with his own blood. He chose Jacob when he was a mess and cleansed him and then changed him. He can do the same for all of us. Back to the book Money Ball! There was another baseball player that no on wanted. He played his college ball in the SEC and even broke some records. But when it came time for the MLB draft none of the major league teams wanted him because of his appearance. He was big, fat, and slow. He did not look like a good baseball player. He looked more like a tall sumo wrestler. He was very unlikely to be chosen by anyone. But the Oakland A’s chose him. They were into choosing players that no one else wanted. God chooses the unlikely. He chooses the ones that no one else wants. He chooses the ones that don’t deserve to be chosen. Why? He loves to show off his grace. Lets pray!!! ................
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