Un-Identical Twins Series

Un-identical Twins

Text: Genesis 25:27-34

Introduction

1. Genesis 25:27-34

2. Illustration: It was at a family reunion that a lot of pictures were taken. When the lady took them to the photo place she asked if they could be touched up.

“Wrinkles and such?” “Yes” he said:

Well she said: “Could you take about 30 pounds off of me?” “Yes” he said: And she said: “Could you put them on my sister?” That is not what we call a united family.

3. This is the story about two brothers; twins in fact. However, they were anything but identical twins. We’ll call them "un-identical twins." They were different in:

a. Character

b. Mannerisms

c. Personal Interests

d. Desires

4. We shall learn something very important from them.

Proposition: From these two brothers we will learn what is really important in life.

Transition: First, let us look at two very different people.

I. Two Very Different People (27-28)

A. Esau the Wild Man

1. Our text tells us that "Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field..."

2. This fellow Esau was a cunning hunter, the outdoor boy, the athletic type. He is the one we would call the all-American boy today.

a. He went in for sports.

b. He went in for everything that was physical, but he had no understanding, or capacity, or desire for spiritual things.

3. Esau is rough, wild, free, boisterous, and exciting.

4. In addition, Esau was impetuous and often made rash decisions.

a. He lived for the moment and had no thought for the future.

b. If he were alive today, his motto would probably be "if it feels good, do it!"

5. He represents the person who:

a. Lives for momentary thrills

b. Has no time for God

c. Thinks that spiritual things are for when you get too old to do anything else.

B. Jacob the Gentle Man

1. Jacob, on the other hand, is quite different.

2. Our text tells us that "Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents."

a. What does it mean that he was plain?

b. The Hebrew word means "sincere, quiet, peaceful, pious" - New International Dict of OT Theology & Exegesis. Pradis CD-ROM

c. He was "a complete man, in the sense that he took seriously life’s ordinary duties." - King James Word Book

3. In other words, he was everything that his brother was not. He was:

a. Sensible

b. Peace loving

c. Perceptive

4. Above all, and contrary to his brother, spiritual things did mean something to him. He did:

a. Think about the future.

b. Consider the consequences of his actions.

5. He represents the person who:

a. Thinks about heavenly things before earthly things.

b. Considers how decisions will effect their future.

c. Even though they are not perfect, realizes that God has a plan for their life.

Transition: We live in a cause and effect universe. Now that we have seen the cause, let’s look at the effect.

II. Esau Despised the Things of God (30, 32, 34)

A. Esau Despised His Birthright

1. One day these two brothers were doing what the normally do.

a. Esau was out hunting game.

b. Jacob was home making stew.

2. Esau came to Jacob and said "Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint..."

a. Notice the impetuous nature of Esau: "Feed me."

b. He doesn’t say give me something to eat, he says "feed me."

c. The phrase conveys the idea of gulping down food. The Rabbis used it to describe the activity of cramming food down the throat of an animal (Ross, 450).

3. Notice also that he was more concerned about filling his fleshly desires than his spiritual ones. After he asked his brother for food his brother asked for his birthright.

a. A birthright was a special honor given to the firstborn son. It included a double portion of the family inheritance along with the honor of one day becoming the family’s leader.

b. The oldest son could sell his birthright or give it away if he chose, but in so doing, he would lose both material goods and his leadership position.

c. By trading his birthright, Esau showed complete disregard for the spiritual blessings that would have come his way if he had kept it. —Life Application Bible Notes

4. Look at what he says in response to a Jacob’s request. "Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?"

a. He shows no regard for the future.

b. He shows no regard for the spiritual blessings that come with this birthright.

c. He shows no regard for the things of God.

5. Verse 34 tells us what Esau really thought of the things of God when it says "Esau despised his birthright."