GOOD-BYE ABRAHAM, HELLO JACOB!

GENESIS 25

Pastor Rick Jackson

As the title implies Genesis 25 gives us the last years of Abraham and early glimpses into the life of Jacob. Isaac's life is not over but it is somewhat overshadowed by his more well-known father - Abraham, and his more well known son- Jacob. Isaac will continue to play a pivotal role in the hall of faith.

I. THE LAST DAYS OF ABRAHAM [v. 1-11]

1. FIGHTING LONELINESS [v. 1-4]

2. FOLLOWING THE LORD [v. 5-6]

3. FULFILLING LIFE [v. 7-11]

II. THE LINEAGE OF ABRAHAM [v. 12-26]

1. ISHMAEL'S LINE [v. 12-18]

2. ISAAC'S PRAYER [v. 19-21]

3. REBEKAH'S INQUIRY [v. 22-26]

III. THE LEGACY OF ABRAHAM [v. 27-34]

Though Abraham was able to leave all his children some earthly possessions his greatest legacy has less to do with the visible and more to do with the invisible. His legacy of faith is far greater than any earthly possessions. We know Isaac was a man of faith and that he married a woman of faith and we will see that at least one grandson saw the importance of that legacy above all else.

1. A PERFECT PORTRAIT [v. 27]

Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field. There's nothing wrong with that being a part of your life... but that was all of his life. He could well have been the man in Luke 12:20 that the world would call a success, But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? Heb. 12 says he was a fornicator and a profane person.

Jacob is called a plain man, dwelling in tents. Some have tried to apply our modern definition of plain to this verse but nothing could be farther from the truth. The word "plain" here means "complete; usually (morally) pious; specifically, gentle, dear:--coupled together, perfect, plain, undefiled, upright". It's the same word translated "perfect" in Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Jacob may not have been the outdoorsman his brother was but he was no weakling as we shall see. He was strong physically but he was strong spiritually too! Not perfect certainly, but strong.

2. A PARENTAL PROBLEM [v. 28]

When parents have favorites, everyone suffers, including the parents.

3. A PRECONCEIVED PREJUDICE [v. 29-34]

I have often heard this story from the viewpoint that Jacob was a schemer, slyly waiting for the opportunity to trick his brother out of that which he desired. His poor brother was dying and he took advantage of him and tricked him. That may be the common presentation but a careful reading of the Scriptures do not agree. If Jacob was a deceiver (later he was, but not here), he was a reluctant one.

v. 29-30 Jacob was cooking, Esau was tired from hunting (note Esau even got a nickname from this event)

v. 31 Henry Morris suggests Jacob may have even been joking here, in any case, he realized the value of this spiritual birthright. The boys had probably spoken of this together. Esau wanted the double portion but as we shall see could care less about the spiritual aspect of the birthright.

v. 32 Esau is exaggerating. Remember this is a rich family with flocks, herds, servants and plenty. Esau just wanted what he wanted when he wanted it.

v. 33 Jacob may have been kidding before but his brother is serious and he now is as well.

v. 34 Note the lack of condemnation in the Scripture (except for cry-baby Esau later) of Jacob in this matter. The Scripture does mention this event in the New Testament: Hebrews 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

If there be any wrong on Jacob's part here it is impatience. How many of us have that same problem?

Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalm 37:34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

Proverbs 20:22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee