One Mother – Two Nations
Part #2 - Jacob
“Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents.” Genesis 25:27 (NASB)
Today we want to look at the character of Jacob. From our text we find that he was “a peaceful man – living in tents”. But we know a little more than that about Jacob – don’t we? We know that he had a twin brother and that his brother was not an identical twin. The boys were as different as night and day. One was hairy – the other had smooth skin. One liked the outdoors – the other it seems was more inclined to staying near home. One was living in the here and now – the other was planning for the future. Of course Esau was the firstborn yet it would be Jacob who receives the birthright and the blessing. In Genesis chapter twenty seven Esau complains about this when he says:
“Is he not rightly named Jacob, for he has supplanted me these two times? He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing." Genesis 27:36 (NASB)
But in truth Jacob did not steal away Esau’s birthright, but only took the advantage to buy what careless Esau was willing to sell. Having the birthright – the blessing did justly belong to him; for the birthright and the blessing were not to be separated. From this story we know that Jacob’s character was crafty. Yet we also know that the Bible tells us that: “Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents.”
Many of the people of the Old Testament times seemed to have a simple lifestyle. They were a plain people wearing plain clothes. They crossed no seas. They had no grand parlors in which to entertain guests. They ate a simple diet such as Jacob did – lentil stew. It would seem that those who lived such a lifestyle would strive to be a peaceable people. Yet we know from the history of the Jewish people that life has been anything but peaceful. So too the life of Jacob was anything but peaceful. Even before the twins were born there was a struggle between them. Look at what we find in Genesis chapter twenty-five:
The children struggled together within her (Rebecca); and she said, "If it is so, why then am I this way?" So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her, " Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples shall be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger." Genesis 25:22-23 (NASB)
It is natural for children not to get along at times. But it seems that this was no natural strife or ordinary struggle. There were two nations in one womb – struggling for power. They had no skill of wrestling – yet they struggled within her womb just the same. It was so unpleasant that Rebecca cried out, “Why am I this way?”
Perhaps this is a picture of what all who are believers go through. Two natures in one body struggling against each other. Even though we have been born anew – the old nature – the sinful nature does not want to give up. We battle within ourselves – for we know what is right – what is pure – what is holy and we strive to please God. Yet the old nature somehow draws us away – pulls us down – gets in our way. We want to enter the straight and narrow gate that leads to life – but often end up going through the broad road gate leads to destruction. (Matthew 7:13-14)
Someone has rightly said that every Christian is a walking civil war. We know what is right. We know what we should do. We know what we spiritually want to do. Yet we don’t do it. Paul has rightly said:
For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:15-25 (NKJV)
Folks let me say up front – if you sin and feel guilty about it – that is a good thing. That is evidence that that Holy Spirit is actively working in your life. If you have no guilt – no conviction of sin – where is the working of the Holy Spirit?
THE BELIEVER’S LIFE IS A BATTLE
The Christian life is a life of battle. It has never been easy – nor will it ever be. The truth is – No Strife – No Christian. Paul said:
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:11-13 (NKJV)
Paul also said:
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” Galatians 5:16-17 (NKJV)
Notice that in these verses the flesh and the spirit war against one another. There is no compromise in this relationship. The New Living Translation says it this way:
“The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.” Galatians 5:17 (NLT)
Folks – this is a description of a Christian. Paul is not talking about the non-believer. He is talking about one who has been touched by God. One who has been “born again” – one whose desire is to know God and to please Him – one who wants to live and walk in righteousness and strives to live a holy life – this is the one that Paul is describing. If you are a Christian there is a spiritual battle raging within you.
How many of you want to have peace in your life? Oh I am not just talking about peace in the world where there are no bullets flying and bombs falling. I am talking about peace in your soul. Would it not be great to find rest from the constant conflict? Would it not be great to find a place where there is no conflict is going on within you? A place where the wolf shall lie down with the lamb and the leopard will sleep with the young goat. A place where there are quiet waters and the sun will not scorch you. God has promised such a place – but not in this world. This world is a place that we are passing through and while we are here there is a battle going on.
No sooner had Jacob been born than he grabbed Esau by the heel. (Genesis 25:26) No sooner are we born again than the battle rages. Our flesh – the elder brother – wars against the younger brother – our spirit. This disturbance is a sign of our sanctification. As I said earlier – No strife – No Christian. How can the flesh and the spirit get along? How can they live in complete harmony with one another? It was never meant to be. We strive to be a peaceful people – yet there is no peace. We find in this world of constant spiritual conflict – no peaceful home – and so we dwell in tents – hoping for peace but knowing that there will be no peace until we find it in heaven. This is not our permanent home. Only God can offer peace. Peace will only come when the Prince of Peace takes total control.
Remember our text:
“Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents.” Genesis 25:27 (NASB)
THE BELIEVER’S HOPE IS IN HEAVEN
One thing I know about tents is that they are not designed to be permanent structures. Their main functions are to give some protection for the elements and to be portable. But they are not to be considered a permanent home. The book of Hebrews talking about Abraham says:
“By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:9-10 (NASB)
Notice that he lived as an alien – a stranger – one who was passing through the land – looking for a city that has a solid foundation – whose architect and builder is God. We should not store up our treasures here on earth where moth and rust can affect them. Where robbers can come in and steal them. But we should put our hope in a more permanent home – whose foundations are built by God.
To many of us Christians live as if there is no future guarantee of glory. Yes we like to have nice things. Yes we like to live in comfort. But let me tell you folks the nicest things and the most comfortable place will never be found this side of heaven. Let us not be the rich fool of Luke 11 – who tried to store up his treasures here on earth. He did not have enough room to store up his earthly harvest so he made plans to tear down his barns and build bigger ones. Do you remember what happened? Do you remember what God said to him?
“God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’" Luke 12:20 (HCSB)
Someone has rightly said – I have never seen a U-haul following a hearse.
Worldly treasures will not follow you to heaven. Why should they? What is found there is so much better than anything you can find here. Believers our eternal home is found in heaven not in this world. We are just passing through. This world is but a place where we can pitch a tent – for soon we will leave. We can build our homes here as high as the tower Babel and as strong as the city of Babylon – yet it will all be left behind. We can fortify and we can feast – but death comes and it is all gone – in a moment – in the blink of an eye.
This world is full of troubles. There are winds of persecutions. There are storms of menaces. There is the cold of hatred. Why should I love this world? Why should I act like I will live in it forever? John told us:
“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15 (NASB)
This world is a highway that leads the believer to a better land. Every problem – every temptation – every misery that we encounter here on earth should turn our love to heaven. God allows us pills of bitterness – that we may not suck on them to long. Satan seems to hide around every corner – ready to devour us in a moment. Thank goodness – thank God that this world is not my home. This life is a tent but God has promised me a mansion. O Christian Jesus said:
"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3 (NKJV)
This life is short compared to that life which will be eternal. This life is painful conpared to a life of perfect rest. There will be a permanent home – with a solid foundation - but not in this world. It is a place where God will heal our hurts and relieve our sorrows. The book of Revelation tells us:
“God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4 (NKJV)
God has promised to take away the old and to give you something new. He will give us a new heart as well as a new home. We will no longer will be strangers in a strange land – but will have permanent home. Life is a struggle – I know – but God just does leave you out there to try to make it on your own. He is there to walk with you and to guide as you travel down the road of life. He wants you to be successful. He wants you to make it home safe.
I want to close this sermon this morning by doing a reality check. Christians are five facts about God and you:
1. GOD LOVES YOU WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE
"I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 (NASB)
2. GOD SENT HIS SON TO REDEEM YOU
“You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life … but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:18-19 (NASB)
3. GOD HAS CHOOSEN YOU FOR HIMSELF
“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love.” Ephesians 1:4 (NASB)
4. GOD CONSIDERS YOU HIS SOLE POSSESSION
“He gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” Titus 2:14 (NASB)
5. GOD HAS INVITED YOU INTO HIS FAMILY
“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” Romans 8:16-17 (NASB)
Folks we need to live in the reality of these facts. If God is for us - who then can be against us?
Take heart, my fellow pilgrim – this world has its struggles – it has its trials – there are hardships that we must go through – there are battles that must be fought – there are dangers we will encounter – but God is on our side.
I would like to thank - Thomas Adams (1583-1652) for the sermon starter idea.
