Genesis 25

God loves a good chapter on lineage. Why? Because he loves to show the line of redemption that was always planned. We see God’s plan unfolding through the promise of a son yet to come from the promised line of Abraham and later David. In this chapter we read about the births of Esau and Jacob. While both sons are still in the womb God tells Rebekah that they are two brothers who will be born at odds. Jacob does Esau dirty by deceitfully stealing Esau’s birthright as the head of the lineage of God’s promised redemption. Praise God for the writer of Hebrews who helps break it down for those who may miss some key interpretation. When we read Genesis, we immediately see Jacob's sin as he deceitfully steals Esau’s birthright,  but the author of Hebrews highlights the sin of Esau in this as well. Esau, hungry (maybe a little hangry) too easily gives into selling his birthright. 

“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.” (Hebrews 12:15-16). 

Yes, Jacob was sneaky in obtaining a birthright that did not belong to him, but Esau was apathetic, “unholy” in how he perceived the weight of God’s plan of redemption through that birthright. Esau gives it for a mere bowl of stew, instead of seeing the potential to be used for God’s utmost glory! Jacob and Esau’s sin highlights the root of unbelief in all human kind. All of us have lived moments of deceit and sneaking (unsuccessfully) in trying to work around God’s plan of redemption for our lives. And how many of us, all too often when we are too tired and hangry, easily give up on the standards to live the life above reproach in which Jesus calls us to live. Let us not be sneaky Jacobs or apathetic Esaus, but fully and wholeheartedly give all that we have to follow Jesus and to live to the standard in which he calls us as the saints to live. Let us be people to trust God’s plan of redemption and ask in the name of Jesus to cast out our sin of deceit and apathy towards his timing and his plans for us. 

Where are you trying to be sneaky with your community or God?

Where are you living in apathy towards God’s redemption working in your life?