barblane77 Posted January 18, 2010 Report Share Posted January 18, 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? Back then mans words and actions were the law and they were held accountable for their choices. There was no written form of contracts just verbal so what comes out of their months and their actions are just as good as a contract. Weakness was displayed with both Esau and Jacob but Jacobs weakness was wanting what was not his and like a thief or a wolf he preyed on his brother Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lion of Grace Posted January 18, 2010 Report Share Posted January 18, 2010 The New Testament reading condemns Esau as "Godless" when he sold his birthright for a bowl of food. The birthright represented a gift and priveledge for blessings and inheritance by his birthright. Esau literally scorned his election and sold out for something so much less to gratify himself for the moment. He despised his birthright. His character reflected instant gratification of self and no respect or gratitude towards what was given to him and he even thought so little of it, he barely gave thought to selling it and for such a price! Jacob's character is also being revealed as cunning and without integrity at this point, because when his brother asked for food, he didn't just gladly share with him, he asked for a great price. The birthright. He took advantage of his brother's weakness for his pwn gain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nina Posted January 18, 2010 Report Share Posted January 18, 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 was only concerned with satisfying his hunger immediately. His birthright did not have meaning to him. He could not wait for physical gratification in order to receive his rights as the first born in the family. Selling his birthright represented unconcern for his rights and legal aspects of their culture. It clearly represents someone who does not think about the future or the consequences of his actions. Jacob's part in obtaining the birthright does not represent a man of character. You would think a man would gladly give a bowl of lentils to his hungry brother. Obtaining the birthright as Jacob did is not a show of good character. His name meaning deceiver fits the situation. He shows no love for his brother and seems only concerned about what he can get for himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissioned Posted January 18, 2010 Report Share Posted January 18, 2010 Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) The writer of Hebrews sees Esau's selling of his birthright as godless. What did selling the birthright represent? The birthright gives the older child a double portion of the parent inheritance. What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? The transaction says the Esau seeks instant gratification. He is impetuous and without thinking makes detrimental decisions. Esau dispised his birthright, he values the stew more that the birthright. His action also says that he trusted his brother. What does it reveal bout Jacob's character and values? The transaction says the Jacob looks for opportunities to advance his agenda regardless of the harm it may cause others. Jacob doesn't love his brother as himself. He takes advantage of his brother's weakness. He denies himself of little to gain much. He valued the birthright more than maintaining integrity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sallymander Posted January 18, 2010 Report Share Posted January 18, 2010 Hebrews calls Esau Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smurf1948 Posted January 18, 2010 Report Share Posted January 18, 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 sinned by selling his birth right. He chose instant cradification. It was an insult to his father and showed a lack of charcter. Jacob sought toward the future and his Heavenly fathers plan for him. Though he took advantage of his brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leihaynes Posted January 18, 2010 Report Share Posted January 18, 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. Why does the N.T. condemn Esau for selling his birthright? Maybe it's because of his carelessness kind of attitude. Sounds like back then the birthright was a very big deal. If you are the eldest and someone mentioned to you about purchasing your birthright, flags should have automatically gone up. Questions should have been in place. 2. What did selling the birthright represent? Seams like it represented leadership and the head of the tribe. 3. What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? Could it be that Esau didn't take the things of God seriously. His character displays temporal satisfaction and temporal happiness. Values maybe none. 4. What does it reveal about Jacob's character and values? Looks like he was very persistence, deceitful, and ambitious (not in a good way). He valued what he didn't have and valued it for the future and also understood what it was meant for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen Williams Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 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 illustrates those who are irreligious. Under the law the eldest son would receive a double inheritance. Esau scorned God's promise given to the heirs of Isaac. Esau disregarded the inheritance from Issac the priviledge of an everlasting covenant with God. It seem like all wanted to take matters in their hand instead of trusting that God had it all worked out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hanks Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 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 describes Esau as a godless person. He traded the lasting benefits of his birthright for the immediate pleasure of food. Obviously he did not think about what he was doing, and acted on impulse. By selling his birthright Esau shows that he had no regard for God Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haar Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 The New testament condemned Jacob for selling his birthright because he was more intrested in satisfying his immediate need than his God's ordained future benefits- his inheritance as a first son. This was described as ungodly, godles, unholy or profane by different translations of the verse. The act of selling his (Essau)birthright reprenseted a legal transfer of his future inheritance as a first son to Jacob. The transaction shows that Essau was a man who was interested in benefits/ values of the moment and therefore could sacrifice the huge future benefits. Jacob on the other hand could invest his present benefits for a grater future harvest of dividend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmlhopeful Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 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? To the ancient Hebrews one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 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 Bible says it was sin and it was unholy. The birthright was ordained by God, and Esau essentially thumbed his nose at God when he sold his birthright. Esau didn't see the long term. He was in the here and now and that is all that mattered. In this case it was his hunger. Jacob's character was flawed also. He got what he wanted by trickery and deceit. In both cases I see a lack of gratitude toward God. The scary thing here is I wonder if we don't all have a bit of Esau and Jacob in us lurking beneath the surface. WE NEED TO PRAY FOR OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER! Once again I know I need prayer. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Riv Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 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? In selling his birthright it shows that he put no real value on it, that was a blessing from God and he gave it away.In that transaction it represents stepping aside or down from all that was his to have because he was the first son. Esau`s lived for today not giving any thought to tomorrow, he did not see the value in his birthright, at least not at that time, and if he did he cared not. Now Jacob must have known thru the Nuzi texts that the birthright could be sold thus making it legal and binding. It shows that he was crafty yet smart. He definently knew the values of the rights to the birthright of the first born. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandedcowgirl Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 It says that he is godless for selling his inheritence rights for a single meal. Esau was only concerned with instant gratification which was a strong temptation before him to get what he wants now with no thought to the consequences. Jacob on the other hand was willing deny himself that moment to get what he most values later not valuing integrity with his actions. So of course Esau felt deceived by his actions when in reality he did not value his birthright over the stew. They are forgiven for their sinful actions but somethings the result of actions cannot be changed no matter how sorry you are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieAnn Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 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? Acting impulsively to obtain pleasure here on earth while disregarding the consequences often leaves us hurting with feelings full of regret. We have a tremendous inheritance waiting for us in heaven but we can "give it all" away for simple earthly pleasures. For eample: Having a godly marriage means doing marriage God's way which means waiting to sleep with your spouse so you gain the blessing of God when you marry. We desire God's blessing over our marriage but we compromise that blessing when we don't honor God and His desires for us. We tend to "give away" our inheritance over and over again and then we rush back to God asking for forgiveness. By not honoring our Father and the inheritance He wants to bless us with, shows that we don't value that inheritance or the sacrifice that was made so we are able to accept that inheritance. Esau was shallow and impulsive. He lived for the moment and did not care about his future. He exaggerated his hunger and threw away his inheritance so he could get a quick meal, a guilty pleasure. He was self-centered in that his concern was for his well being and not the future of his family. Jacob was manipulative and greedy and also self-centered. To gain what God promised through wrongful actions means he did not trust that God would fulfil His promise. Jacob had trust issues and felt the need to take matters into his own hands. Both men loved and honored their parents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendamay Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 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 very hungry. He was also very weak, and he did not think through what it would mean to hand over his Birthright to Jacob. He ignored The importance of his Birthright That was given by God. This shows him as a person who lived for the Present, Ignoring the consequences of his actions. Also disrespecting Gods Gift. Jacob although a quite man was very devious. He took advantage of his Brothers weakness, for his own gain. He must have planned what he was going to do. Knowing that Esau would be very hungry when he came home. and he would give anything to be gratified. Both Brothers were lacking in respect for God, also their Parents, even though they both loved their parents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datora Posted January 20, 2010 Report Share Posted January 20, 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 didnt seem to feel that his birthright was of any importance to him - in fact he gave it away without a second thought to satisfy a momentary pang of hungar - but isnt this what we all do today at various times in our lives we indulge a yen or satisfy a whim without thinking too much about the consequences. I think Esau's behavour is a lesson to us to really think hard about the decisions that we make and the consequences that might occur and WHOM it might affect. I suppose Jacob's behaviour was really no better - he was looking to better "self" albeit in the long term but he was a "tempter" knowingly tempting his brother whilst in a weakened state - he was quick to see and grasp an advantage - BUT at the end of the day Esau was given a choice!! he could have refused. I think Jacobs behaviour and values again just emphasise our behaviour today and just demonstrates how difficult we find the commandment - love thy neighbour as thy self - to give rather than to take. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnus Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 Esau set aside his God-given preeminence as Isaac's first-born son. He spurned God's gift in exchange for the pleasures of his flesh. Like the one who discovered treasure in the field and sold all he had to acquire that field, Jacob was quick to take advantage of Esau's flesh and secure his future. Click HERE to sponsor a child today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janel Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 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? Gluttony is one of the seven mortal and deadly sin. For the sake of food, Esau is tempted and is willing to part with his birthright. The New Testament condemned Esau because in a Spiritual sense, this is a grave mistake especially for his soul. Due to his weakness he forgo his trust of God to material thing. Selling his birthright means giving up his status, position and be ready to come under the authority of someone minor to him that is Jacob his younger brother and also to surrender any blessings he might received from his father. In this transaction, we see that Esau preferred to satisfied his stomach to his status. Being brought up as a hunter like his father, and papa's boy, he expected to be served as soon as he is back. Due to his impatience, spoilt and thoughtlessness, he was taken advantage of by his brother. Jacob, on the other hand is sly, shrewd, cunning, deceitful, conniving, smart and a good businessman. He jumped at the opportunity when one is weak. He is not pure and honest for he can cheat his own flesh and blood brother for a position. There is no love shown between the two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XXXXII Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 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 first part of chapter 12 talks about discipline and the father to the son. I am assuming the author of Hebrews was trying to speak to the undiscipline nature of both men, answering the first question; that is why it condemn's Esau. Selling the birthright represented a flesh pattern of "My body needs this now" and not a spiritual pattern that would recognize the decision as lunacy, sacrificing the future of his family and his kids' birthright just for a bowl of soup. Jacob on the other hand has a similar problem, where as his decision to take advantage of his brother cost him a lifetime of bad decisions to follow. Just like the first time a business man lies to a customer and never gets caught or the first time a man looks at ***********, or the first time someone cheats on their taxes. These decisions build on themselves, without the proper view of them individually they will grow to a lifetime of deceit. I don't know enough about Jacob's life to know even what he went on to accomplish or not accomplish. I am just a layman trying to draw closer to God during this time of my life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisbarak Posted January 23, 2010 Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 The N.T. condemns Esau for trading his birthright because he did not value the honor attached the the birthright and what it meant. Selling the birthright meant he was not interested in the future and in gaining a blessing. He was satisfying a ****! His character was weak. He wanted things "now!" and was not willing to wait for a more important outcome. Jacob proceeded to take advantage of his brother's weakness to get what he thought God had promised him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna LL-J Posted January 23, 2010 Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 I think the reason why the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright is to remind us that even with grace and marci, and repentance offered to us we have to still remember to be careful of the choices we make. Since,we have to live with making the wrong choices and even repenting wouldn't take away our wrong choice or fix them. I think selling the birthright represent selfishness, no patients, little faith and one track of mind that lead to making a choice that was only seeing (right now)situation that was in front on him (being hungry) and not at the big picture (what having his birthright ment). I think this transaction said that Esau's character and values were in the wrong place; he thought about how the stew was his favorit meal, how hungry he seem to have become once smelled and seeing what his brother was making. How his responsiblity of God's work for him was choosen for a bowl of stew. I also think that Esau didn't think of how his father would one day die and will be leaving the birthright down; but on the other hand he didn't have his mother telling him as she told Jacob about the meaning of the birthright. I think Jacob's character and values reveal his greed, manipulator, and being prideful. His mother has spoken to him about how his brother would rule over him and he may have resented that and began plotting how to change the fact that his younger brother would be over him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eudora Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) Esau Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kings Kid Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 Q1a. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Heb 12:16-17 (KJV). Esau Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charchar Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 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 Esau did not have in values in what was his. He sold his birthright which shows that he really didn't care he wanted what he wanted now. Esaus was willing to sell his birthright for food that shows that he was a person that had little values for the blessing. He was only concern about what he wanted now and the future was not something that concern him. To me he was just one that live his life for the moment not taking into consideration the future of his action. As for Jacob he was a deceiver. He was not acting as one that Loved God he was also willing to get what he wanted but not telling his brother that this was wrong for him to do and that he was sorry for asking him to do such a thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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