Decisions Become Destinies (Gen. 25:19-34)

Decisions Become Destinies Gen. 25:19-34 Bible Talk outline A. Two people become one: The decision of marriage (vv. 19-20)B. Two prayers lifted: the decision to ask God 1. Isaac’s pleading prayer (v. 21) 2. Rebekah’s troubled prayer (v. 22)C. Two nation’s predicted: God’s decision to reveal the future 1. A divinely predicted rivalry (v. 23a) 2. A divinely predicted superiority (v. 23b)D. Two names chosen: the decision to acknowledge conflict (vv. 24-26) 1. Esau, which sounds like “hair” (v. 25) 2. Jacob, sounds like “heel,” meaning “deceiver” (v. 26)E. Two personalities: the decision to be authentic 1. Esau the outdoorsman (v. 27a) 2. Jacob the homebody (v. 27b)F. Two favorites: the decision to love ungenerously 1. Esau, Isaac’s favorite son (v. 28a) 2. Jacob, Rebekah’s favorite son (v. 28b)G. Two desires: the decision to face temptations 1. Esau’s momentary, physical desire (vv. 29-30) 2. Jacob’s long-term, ambitious desire (v. 31)H. Two futures: the decision to choose the spiritual life 1. Esau’s self-oriented, unspiritual future (v. 28a) 2. Jacob’s strong-willed, but eventually spiritual, future (v. 28b) Dr. Jim R. Coleman