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A Recap from Sunday’s Sermon

Preaching Text: Genesis 25:19-28

This passage gives examples of people responding to God’s initiatives in both appropriate and inappropriate ways.  The good responses are Isaac and Rebekah praying into troubling situations (barrenness and then conflicted twins in utero).  However, the sinfulness of the individuals involved is fully on display as well. St. Augustine described sin using the image of mankind being curved inward upon himself. Thankfully, we see that our sinful disposition does not deter God.

God chose the weak to rely on him.

God Chose: God has decreed certain things long before the individuals involved are even born. God’s oracle in verse 23 predicts that the firstborn son of Isaac would not receive the covenant promise. The Lord had chosen the weaker second-born son as the continuance of the Messiah’s lineage. God upsets the cultural norm. 

The Weak: Isaac ignored the Lord’s word and fully intended to bless Esau, the firstborn. He and Rebekah each pick favorite kids, furthering the sibling rivalry. Esau only thinks with his stomach and “despised his birthright” (v. 34). Jacob takes advantage of Esau and cheats his brother. This is a full depiction of man curved in on himself.

To Rely on Him: The New Testament tells us that God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. One of his purposes in doing so is that “no human being might boast in the presence of God” (1 Corinthians 1:29). All the glory belongs to God for working his strengths through our weakness. Just consider the weakness of the Cross of Jesus!

Taking It Home: God has shamed those with worldly strength by choosing those who are weak for salvation. This causes conflict for believers. Read Hebrews 12:3-17, which cautions against being like Esau, but commends patient endurance.