Pastor Ralph Posted November 12, 2009 Report Share Posted November 12, 2009 Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) What did selling the birthright represent? What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? What does it reveal bout Jacob's character and values? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Paul DiMino Posted January 15, 2010 Report Share Posted January 15, 2010 (pre-course answers):Selling birthright is condemned in the New Testament as a lack of faith,ingratitude,lack of responsibility,and fierce,animal selfishness;a lack of morality and understanding-of the eternal nature and love of God.It implies that Esau was more concerned with the physical and the present than the spiritual and everlasting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masika Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) What did selling the birthright represent? What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? What does it reveal about Jacob's character and values? He is condemned because of he made a foolish choice, one which he could not change, meaning there was no place found whereby he could reverse this decision when it was made, it was settled and set. This is here to remind us to be careful concerning our choices in life, we must first set our focus on spiritual things, and hold God Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jburry Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) What did selling the birthright represent? What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? What does it reveal about Jacob's character and values the NT condemns Esau b/c selling his birthright was sin. In selling his birthright, Esau shows that he acts on impulse. He does what he wants to satisfy his desires despite the consequences. He gave more value to his appetite (physical/temporary) than to his birthright (lasting/valuable) Selling his birthright represents a lack of self control and responsibility. It also represented a lack of respect for his father. This transaction shows that Esau is not a man of integrity or character but someone who acts on a whim, someone weak and doesn't give much thought before acting. He is impulsive, careless and driven by his feelings. I think this story reveals that Jacob was shrewd and manipulative. It also shows that he was jelous and prideful and would do what it takes to get ahead in life despite whether it was morally right or wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iam4-1god Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) What did selling the birthright represent? What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? What does it reveal bout Jacob's character and values? We have two different schools of thought here. One wanted the here and now. The other wanted a future. The first one was willing to do whatever it took to get what he wanted right now. He did not want to wait. Nothing else mattered to him! "I'll die if I don't eat, anyway!" The other one was looking out for the future. He wanted to secure that which would make his life much better in the distance. Here and now did not matter. He wanted the best life that he could get, and that was what the blessing offered. He was willing to do whatever it took to get that secure future. Even if it meant praying on a weak brother! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okno Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 We believe, the life is a gift from the god. We cannot sell our life, to manage it according our wishes. We believe, the god has certain plan with everyone of us. When Esau sold his birthright, he, in light of the NT philosophy, rejected the God Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butter Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) What did selling the birthright represent? What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? What does it reveal bout Jacob's character and values? The birthright represents something eternal. A sacred gift imparted by God to the first-born child of each family. Selling the birthright represented the value Esau placed in earthly things that ultimately meant nothing (like a bowl of soup) over a priceless gift, if not more an ordained duty, from the Lord. It reflected Esau's selfish and narrow-minded character that chose a quick fix for his problems -- which eventually caused him great emotional pain and loss -- over a life-long blessing. His character error is similar to that of a married man who, on a business trip, decides in a moment of loneliness to invite a prostitute to his hotel room for an hour of sex. That hour of self-indulgence cost in a weak moment cost the man his intact covenant with his wife as well as a lifetime of guilt, shame and long-term loss of fidelity in his marriage. This transaction represents Jacob's character as manipulative (dangling a "carrot" in front of his desperate brother), self-serving/careless of his brother's needs and discontent. Jacob knew he had a great future, according to what he had learned from his mother. But he still longed for more and apparently would do strive for what he didn't have at any cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia A. Conti Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Thr birthright is a vsluable and spiritual gift and responsobility. Life is designed in a certain fashion to continue the family in a prescribed fashion. It is set down through the priniciples that God set forth for us. It also honors the family and shows value for God and the family. Esau turns his back on allo that is deemed sacred and good for the "instant gratification" of bread and soup. He shows no care for future family ties, nor for what is right and just in the family tradition. Jacop knows the value of the birthright and desires to have it above all else. He is a bit deceptive on how he brings it about, His mother has encouraged him in this deception. Would he have gone this route had it not been for his mother's prodding and harping on it is a question. But, regardless, he tricked his brother into giving over his birthright and all that this means. He is willing to wait for this blessing. He definitely has the better part of this deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taebofreak Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) What did selling the birthright represent? What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? What does it reveal bout Jacob's character and values? The New Testament condemns Selling one's birthright as a godless act. Esau's actions represent what many do to avoid persecution. Many turn their backs on the goodness of God to pursue their own desires. Esau found out in the end that he could not undue his actions and threw away the blessing God intended for him. Esau showed himself to be only partially committed to God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) What did selling the birthright represent? What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? What does it reveal bout Jacob's character and values? He didn't stop to think about what was truly important, He wanted what he wanted right now and didn't think about the future. Selling his birth right meant that he didn't feel that being the eldest and leader was important. He saw no need to think about a future. The transaction says that Esau's character was weak and he didn't look on the important things of life only the right now. It reveals that Jacobs character was also weak in that he deceived his brother but that he also realized that future was the important things that we should look to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EuniceC Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) What did selling the birthright represent? What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? What does it reveal about Jacob's character and values? Esau's birthright is seen as a spiritual gift from God, to have sold it meant he did not care to form a relationship with God or to bond with Him. He did not count his place and role given to him by God as firstborn of any importance. If you aren't interested in the spiritual, God cant use you, He needs willingness as well as a desire to submit to Him, listen to Him and do His will. Without spiritual discernment how can one do this? Esau lacked the depth God has found in His servants He has used in the times past, Moses, David, Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah...Esau couldn't have done God's will to bring the fulfillment of His purpose to mankind. Jacob on the other hand, as deceitful as he was, had that depth that God needs, here, his character reveals him to be someone who will do whatever it takes to get what he wants, and even if a deeply spiritual person, he is willing to believe that his deceit is Gods favor shining on him, he thinks his shrewdness, albeit deceptive, is a God given gift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delivered Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) A root of bitterness was in Esaus heart, from which spoke of who he was, a godless man, whos heart was hardened against the one true God,and in its place was the desire to fulfill his fleshly desires - Esau is happiest when he is out hunting in the wild (25:27a). What did selling the birthright represent? It represented contempt, distain, ridiculing its true worth; by selling the birthright it dishonored it, making it in his eyes - of little worth. What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? What does it reveal about Jacob's character and values? Esaus values were seen in his distain for the birthright, his core values were to please SELF - while Jacobs values were seen right from in the womb, holding onto Esaus heel, wanting to have first place, it was his desire to outwit Esau from the beginning, because Jacobs core values were for God and for the blessings from above, of which he held in great esteem - We see it again when he was engaged in a wrestling match, he refused to release his grip until he received the blessing, and he admitted he was Jacob, the heel grabber his core value system was in God, and he was willing to fight for it, not holding it to distain, making it of little value, taking it for GRANTED. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josie Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) What did selling the birthright represent? What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? What does it reveal about Jacob's character and values? Esau sold his valuable birthright for a simple, inexpensive meal. Esaus knew that Abraham was his grandfather, the man God spoke to and promised blessings forever, and ever. Esua, being of this important family, showed complete disrespect and unappreciation for what he'd been given. Spoiled. He could care less for valuing his birthrights and responsibilities; in fact he valued his physical appetites more then his family or spiritual desires. God promised Abraham that he'd produce kings of nations through his family, Esua was aware of this. Esua must have believed that life was all about what he wanted when he wanted it. Instant gratification. Jacob clearly saw what Esua was given was valuable indeed, and he wanted it, he wanted it enough to steal it. Jacob's character reveals he's crafty, dishonest, and relys upon himself when it comes to obtaining great things. He did not engage in a wise and respectful act fooling his father Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Paul DiMino Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Thr birthright is a vsluable and spiritual gift and responsobility. Life is designed in a certain fashion to continue the family in a prescribed fashion. It is set down through the priniciples that God set forth for us. It also honors the family and shows value for God and the family. Esau turns his back on allo that is deemed sacred and good for the "instant gratification" of bread and soup. He shows no care for future family ties, nor for what is right and just in the family tradition. Jacop knows the value of the birthright and desires to have it above all else. He is a bit deceptive on how he brings it about, His mother has encouraged him in this deception. Would he have gone this route had it not been for his mother's prodding and harping on it is a question. But, regardless, he tricked his brother into giving over his birthright and all that this means. He is willing to wait for this blessing. He definitely has the better part of this deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Paul DiMino Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Please help me with this: What does Rebekah say or do to influence Jacob in bargaining with Esau in the "inheritance for soup" transaction in Genesis 25:30 ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Standing On the Rock Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) What did selling the birthright represent? What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? What does it reveal bout Jacob's character and values? A1.Easau is condemned for selling his birthright because in so doing he demonstrated an overwhelming, uncontrollable, need/desire for instant self gratification. He has no self discipline. He demonstrates a total lack of responsibility, lack of faith and incredible ingratitude. Jacob has demonstrated slyness, and a willingness to take advantage of others, even his own brother at their lowest point. He Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmiller Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Esau is condemned because he acted as a man without grounding in the faith of his ancestors. He disregarded God's promise to his grandfather, and he acted without regard for the potential inheretance of his decendants. Bestowing Esau his birthright would be like casting pearls before swine. And, what about Jacob, the opportunist, the deceiver, I find it hard to reconcile his behavior. He believed his mother's counsel, that God told her he would be master over his brother ,and not trusting in God, took matters into his own hands to make it happen. It reminds me of the story of Sarah, Abraham and Hagar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bro Steven Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) What did selling the birthright represent? What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? What does it reveal bout Jacob's character and values? The New Testament call Esau a fornicator and a profane person in which is represents that he has no reguard to how God set up how inheritance by given the first born a double portion. Esau would sell what God had given him for some food, which it show that Esau thinks of what the world can give him that what God could Give him. Jacob show showed how he has no reguard to the needs of a brother, this should show us that when we see a need in a brother that we should not take advantage of him for our personal gain. Like in Mathew 25 our Lord talked about this in how we should help those in need because when we do it to the least of these we do it to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia A Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) 16that no one is(A) sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17For you know that(B) afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. What did selling the birthright represent? The "birthright" or "primogeniture" (bekōrā) involved the legal rights of the firstborn to a double portion of the inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17), plus leadership of the family or clan when the father died. What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? Esau betrays his own tendency towards instant gratification. "I want it now. I can't wait for the future." What does it reveal bout Jacob's character and values? Jacob, on the other hand, is willing to deny himself in the present to obtain in the future what he values most. Jacob's motives aren't pure, of course. Esau accuses him of deceiving (27:36), though Jacob isn't guilty of deception -- this time. Instead, Jacob takes advantage of Esau's weakness. In a weak moment he extracts from his brother a binding promise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenys Posted January 16, 2010 Report Share Posted January 16, 2010 Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) What did selling the birthright represent? What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? What does it reveal bout Jacob's character and values? 1) The New Testament condemned Esau because he gave no thought to anything but his immediate needs, and he did not understand long term, forward thinking - he only wanted to satisfy his current hunger so he traded God's precious gift without a second thought. 2) Esau could not see any value in his birthright, so he treated it with complete contempt, making God Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickledilly Posted January 17, 2010 Report Share Posted January 17, 2010 Other translations of these 2 verses indicate that Esau was disqualified and rejected for his inheritance of the blessing because there was no place for Isaac to take back what had been decreed. There was no place for any kind of repentance to repair the "damage" and transfer what had legally been given to Jacob back to him. Esau had disregarded something sacred and it only became important to him when he couldn't have it anymore. Esau did seem to have a self-centered instant-gratification mindset. Selling the birthright represented abandoning his privileges and responsibilities as the eldest son, rejecting his father's blessing and inheritance. He was unconcerned about his position or his lineage. He scorned the rights he was entitled to as being unimportant. I think Esau valued his comfort and pleasure, and scorned sacrificing for the greater good. Jacob was willing to secure the blessing of the birthright for himself by taking advantage of Esau's weakness and later deceiving his own father to legally take the blessing of the firstborn. Knowing the prophecy his mother had received, he was not waiting for the LORD to bring it about, but determined to make it happen himself. At this point, I think he was underhanded and unconcerned about honesty and integrity in pursuit of his own gain. It seems to me he was most interested in the prophecy that "one people shall be stronger than the other, and the elder shall serve the younger". I'm not sure he was looking for the LORD in all this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faithfulone Posted January 17, 2010 Report Share Posted January 17, 2010 Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) What did selling the birthright represent? What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? What does it reveal bout Jacob's character and values? The New Testament condemn's Esau's love for earthly pleasures. The author of Hebrews is showing what can happen when one gets too attached to their worldly goods; that one bad choice in a moment of weakness can throw it all away. Esau's selling of his birthright... being of a spiritual nature, his undervaluing it, was the greatest profaneness imaginable. It is egregious folly to part with our interest in God, and Christ, and heaven, for the riches, honours, and pleasures of this world. - Gen 25:31 This transaction tells us that Esau didn't value his faith or relationship with God and that he was thinking more of his own immediate desires. It shows us that Jacob is very shrewd but also very intelligent. To gain his brothers' first-born inheritance rights would help to ensure that he would fulfill the prophesy that God had given Rebakah when she was pregnant, and had certainly told Jacob about numerous times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seeking His Face Posted January 17, 2010 Report Share Posted January 17, 2010 Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) What did selling the birthright represent? What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? What does it reveal bout Jacob's character and values? Because he gave away his birthright (blessing for his future) for instant gratification (stew to relieve his hunger). Esau was living in the now, he was not thinking past that. He really didn't believe or pay attention to what Jacob was saying. Jacob was willing to do whatever it took to reach his goal , which was to get the blessing that was meant for his brother from his father Issac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulcrf Posted January 17, 2010 Report Share Posted January 17, 2010 Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) What did selling the birthright represent? What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? What does it reveal bout Jacob's character and values? Our birthright is our eternal inheritance in heaven being co-heirs of Christ. Through faith in the Jesus Christ we are assured of our salvation. We should not exchange it for temporary things here on earth. Selling of birthright means exchanging it for temporary things on earth which has no eternal value. For example, you prefer to value your wealth than your relationship with God. Esau is more concerned with temporary pleasures rather than pleasures which has eternal significance. He is only concerned with his cares for the present and not for eternity. Jacob sees eternity and do everything to get there. He knows he has no birthright being not the firstborn but he did what he has to do to acquire it. Being born a sinner should not hinder us from gaining the inheritance of heaven. We should do what we have to do by getting away from traditions, idolatrous cultures and worships which brings us away to the promise of eternal life in heaven. We can do this only by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dotmj Posted January 17, 2010 Report Share Posted January 17, 2010 Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) What did selling the birthright represent? What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? What does it reveal bout Jacob's character and values? Esau was a godless man and had contempt for the things of God. That is why he so quickly and readily gave up his birthright for a bowl of stew. The birthright is a right given of God to all first born males in Israel that they shall be His. Esau shunned this right thus he shunned God. Jacob's name means "he deceives". He was living up to his name sake. Rather than trusting in God to fulfill the promise He had made to Rebekah that "the younger will rule over the older", Jacob used deception and manipulation to achieve what he wanted. Jacob had a greater understanding of what the birthright meant - he knew it was God's right to receive the first born. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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