Saved by Grace - Class Notes

Read Genesis 25:22-28

1.) What two nations are referred to in verse 23?

Israel (Jacob) and Edom (Esau). Cross-reference 2 Samuel 8:13-14 and Obadiah.

2 Samuel 8:13-14 (ESV)
¹³ And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
¹⁴ Then he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David's servants. And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he wet.

2.) Why did God choose to make the younger rule over the older?

The promise of God to Abraham was to make his descendents a great nation but it did not mean all of Abraham’s descendents were part of the promise. We’ve already seen how Ishmael and the sons from Keturah were not part of Abraham’s inheritance.

Read Romans 9:1-16

3.) It almost sounds as if God “predestined” Jacob for his part in redemption and “predestined” Esau to lose his birthright. Does this sound fair? Does God choose in advance whom He will use? Does He choose in advance whom will be saved?

This is not a question to get in a debate about pre-destination. However, it will be interesting to see where the class takes this question.

God knew that Esau would not rightly carry the cause and faith of his fathers. Even as the preferred son of his faithful father, Esau is sexually immoral and unholy. Whether God predestined Esau to reject his fathers faith or not, he certainly foreknew that he would.

Hebrews 12:16 (ESV)
¹⁶ that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.

We’ll discuss Esau in more depth in later studies and questions.

4.) Why did Isaac and Rebekah have favorites? Do parents do this today? Why? Does it cause problems in the family?

Class discussion.

Read Genesis 25:29-34

5.) What was the birthright that Jacob bargained for with Esau?

It was the custom that the oldest son receives twice the inheritance. In the case of Abraham’s family the birthright also continuing the covenant that God made with Abraham. It meant being a man of faith and looking towards the promise that God made to Abraham.

6.) Why was this birthright Esau’s if God had already said the older will server the younger?

It appears that Isaac was intent on Esau still receiving the birthright according to the customs rather than according to God’s direction. This is probably because Esau was Isaac’s favorite and the one he wanted to carry on the family covenant.

7.) What does it mean that Esau despised his birthright?

Esau did not have the respect for everything that the birthright included. He probably figured he would receive the full inheritance due him regardless of the deal he made with his brother and he probably had no interest in the covenant aspects of the birthright.

8.) What is our birthright as born-again believers? Do we take this birthright for granted? When we don’t take our spiritual birthright seriously, have you considered that is the same as despising it?

Class discussion.