Esau Is Only After Physical Blessing

I. EXORDIUM:

Do you still think that you can work your way to heaven?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that we need to be after spiritual blessing more than physical blessing, and we embrace grace rather than the law.

IV. TEXT:

Genesis 27:1 (Contemporary English Version)

After Isaac had become old and almost blind, he called in his first-born son Esau, who asked him, "Father, what can I do for you?"

V. THESIS:

Praise, worship and thank You very much LORD JESUS, for You have given us grace to save us, it's no longer based on what we can do, but our salvation is based on what You have accomplished, done and finished on the cross.

VI. TITLE:

Esau is only after physical blessing

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Author: Moses (commonly accepted)

B. Date written: 1450 - 1410 B.C.

C. Purpose: The book of Origins

D. To whom written: People of Israel

E. Main theme: Man's sin and the initial steps taken for his redemption by a divine covenant made with a chosen race whose early history is here portrayed.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

F. Keyword: Beginning

G. Key verse: First Messianic Promise,—Genesis 3:15.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

Genesis 3:15 (Amplified Bible)

3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her Offspring; He will bruise and tread your head underfoot, and you will lie in wait and bruise His heel.

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. Isaac was old and yet called his first-born Esau

"After Isaac had become old and almost blind, he called in his first-born son Esau,"

Esau's name means "handling", "rough", "sensibly felt" because he's a hairy man.

He has the eldest son benefits:

1. first-born are always first even seen in the sitting arrangements during a meal, the genealogy and in receiving a blessing before their father dies.

Genesis 43:33 (Amplified Bible)

43:33 And [Joseph’s brothers] were given seats before him—the eldest according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked at one another amazed [that so much was known about them].

1 Chronicles 5:1 (Amplified Bible)

5:1 NOW [we come to] the sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel. For [Reuben] was the eldest, but because he polluted his father’s couch [with Bilhah his father’s concubine] his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph [favorite] son of Israel; so the genealogy is not to be reckoned according to the birthright.

1 Chronicles 5:3 (Amplified Bible)

5:3 The sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

2. Receives double portion of the inheritance.

Deuteronomy 21:17 (Amplified Bible)

21:17 But he shall acknowledge the son of the disliked as the first-born by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he was the first issue of his strength; the right of the first-born is his.

3. It's transferable.

1 Chronicles 5:1-2 (Amplified Bible)

5:1 NOW [we come to] the sons of Reuben the first-born of Israel. For [Reuben] was the eldest, but because he polluted his father’s couch [with Bilhah his father’s concubine] his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph [favorite] son of Israel; so the genealogy is not to be reckoned according to the birthright.

5:2 Judah prevailed above his brethren, and from him came the prince and leader [and eventually the Messiah]; yet the birthright was Joseph’s.

4. dignity and symbol of strength of the father

Genesis 49:3 (Amplified Bible)

49:3 Reuben, you are my first-born, my might, the beginning (the firstfruits) of my manly strength and vigor; [your birthright gave you] the preeminence in dignity and the preeminence in power.

5. Owned by the LORD

Numbers 3:13 (Amplified Bible)

3:13 For all the first-born are Mine. On the day that I slew all the first-born in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for Myself all the first-born in Israel, both man and beast; Mine they shall be. I am the Lord.

Numbers 8:17 (Amplified Bible)

8:17 For all the first-born of the Israelites are Mine, both of man and beast; on the day that I smote every first-born in the land of Egypt [not of Israel], I consecrated them and set them apart for Myself.

6. Brothers next in line can continue his fatherhood

Deuteronomy 25:6 (Amplified Bible)

25:6 And the first-born son shall succeed to the name of the dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel.

7. Own properties, fields, and wife to marry her and have sons with her

Ruth 4:4-5 (Amplified Bible)

4:4 And I thought to let you hear of it, saying, Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if you will not redeem it, then say so, that I may know; for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I am [next of kin] after you. And he said, I will redeem it.