"When We Do Things Our Way part 1" Genesis 25-27

Title: “When We Do It Our Way” Text: Gen 25:23; Gen 27 Theme: What happens when we do things our way   Introduction:  Who?  Isaac and Rebekah What?  Jacob and Esau When? 2006 BC People Isaac promised by God to inherit the blessing of his father (miracle baby) Well-digger “laughter” Type of Jesus Christ Miraculous birth Offered as a sacrifice Given a bride by the Father Loved by His Bride Inherited His Father’s Wealth Rebekah  Isaac’s wife, the mother of Jacob & Esau A type of the Church (she was told about Isaac by His father’s servant, loved Him before she met him, and trusted he was who his servant said he was. She was wiling to leave it all behind to go follow him) Jacob   Younger son heel catcher, deceitful, clever Inherited Isaac’s blessing and became the Father of the 12 tribes of Israel Mama’s boy, he did what his mommy told him to do, very deceitful and clever Esau Eldest son Not interested in God, only in earthly things Edomites red, earthy – was a man’s man. He was Isaac’s favorite. (All-American Boy) he was very physical, athletic Plan– Gen 25:21-26 God has made it very clear what will happen, and spoiler alert, it does happen. He is very specific, He is very to the point. This is not a riddle, this is not a vision or a beautiful poem that can be interpreted by a Mother to mean what her heart desires it to mean. Verse 23 starts out with “And the Lord said unto her” and it ends with “the elder shall serve the younger.” When they were born, Esau came out first, he’s the oldest, Jacob came out next, he had his hand attached to his heel. This was pre-ordained. God knew Esau’s descendants would be enemies of Israel. He knew Jacob would be in the very lineage of Jesus Christ.   Problems Gen 25:27,28 (Favoritism in the home) Took his brother’s birthright – Gen 25:27-34 Birthright – one who had it was the head of the home, who also would be the line to Christ (the priest of the family) Jacob had a hold of Esau’s heel when they were born, he was constantly trying to get that position of the older brother Esau could care less about the birthright, he didn’t care about being the spiritual leader of the home. He was red “earthy” he represents the flesh. He acted as if he was going to starve to death – this isn’t true. A boy out of the house of Abraham is not going to starve to death! He wanted it right then and there. God had already promised Rebekah that Esau would serve Jacob (“the elder shall serve the younger”) Instead of waiting on God, he does it his way, tricky deceitful way. Took his brother’s blessing – Gen 27 Isaac requested that Esau would go make him some venison so he could bless him. The blessing that Isaac received had to be passed on, so he wanted to pass it down to Esau. Instead, he passed it on to Jacob…dressed like Esau. (Rebekah dressed Jacob up like Esau and they tricked Isaac) Isaac was troubled, and Esau was in a rage. He hated his brother and was going to kill him. Rebekah has Jacob to go flee to her brother Laban in Haran “few days, until thy brother’s fury turn away” this turned into a 20 year Journey! Rebekah would never see her son again.   “My Way” was a song written in 1969 by Paul Anka, and composed and co-written by Jacques Revaux. It was written for and sung originally by Frank Sinatra. It was also sung by other popular artist such as Elvis Presley and Sid Vicious (Sex Pistols). The song is played a lot during funerals in the UK. The song is nothing more than a swan song and a summary of a man who lived his life “his way”.  After a life of decisions, regrets, and various outcomes, the song closes with “Yes, it was my way.” The song is blatantly selfish and focuses on one thing and one thing only, doing things our way. Pleasing the flesh, putting ourselves above others, making hard decisions based on what we want, facing the music and having regrets because we have to be first. In this story, we have 4 individuals who sang the same song. At the end of Chapter 27, a chapter of lies, betrayal, greed, selfishness, and a broken family, Isaac, Rebekah, Esau, and Jacob could all simply say “Yes, it was my way.”   A special thank you to my Friend Michael Barnette for the song "All things new" and to my friend Dave Compton for the opening remarks.