Jacob and Esau: A Look into God’s Election and Human Folly

16 Mar Jacob and Esau: A Look into God’s Election and Human Folly

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Pastor Vincent - 10 October 2013

Follow The Lord's Instruction Closely In Spiritual Battle

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It is human nature to worry about tomorrow. What if I can't do this, what if things don't work well tomorrow.. what if we often let what has yet to happen to rob away our present happiness in Lord. Before Jericho, the Lord said to Joshua, " See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.." God is always there, He is always present in your sadness, your current helplessness, your current family problem, relationship problems and even your insufficiency. But we often forget, we are often being frightened by what have yet to comeÉ the what if's in your mind - Satan is always instilling the fear, the deceptions and confuse our spirits so that we cannot look at the truth of God and draw strength from it. Behind the problem we are seeing everyday is actually the deeper spiritual battles that we need to fight against Satan - who is attacking us in every possible way just to divert us away from God's truth so that we feel the gospel irrelevant. But God has a precise instruction to our problems now, so that we can stand against the devil's scheme. Be in sync with God, hear what the Lord says and follow it carefully. As we wait upon the Lord and see what He is doing right now in our lives, we will then not be distracted by Satan into following our own desires and emotions. The Lord is not slow in fulfilling His promise and He has time for everything, therefore, go into prayer and ask God to reveal the very next thing we can do while waiting for His timetable. As we develop the instinct to hear Him through prayers, our faithful God will not hide from you and when the perfect time comes, your Jericho will be conquered, as you become more intimate with God.

Related Topics: Gospel Discernment, Prayer | More Messages from Pastor Vincent

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Which comes first in salvation? Did we first believe in Jesus thus we are saved? Or were we first elected by God thus we could be saved in the end? From the example of Jacob and Esau, it is clear that salvation first came from God rather than any human factor. But while God offers grace, let us not be foolish to miss out on His grace. Often, when we exaggerate our needs and feelings and pursue instant gratification, we fall into folly. But the word of God can make us wise for salvation. Thus, may we treasure the word of God and take it seriously, so that we can stay on the course of wisdom.

Verses to Read: <Genesis 25:21-34>

1. God’s election not dependent on human works.

1) Esau and Jacob both undeserving sinners.

  • Esau’s folly and sin did not make Jacob less sinful.
  • Though God does not approve of Jacob’s method, God can still use it to fulfill His plan.

2) Salvation is by God’s sovereign grace alone.

  • Divine grace not based on any human factor.
  • Receive assurance of salvation from “God-factor”.
  • Salvation starts from God, not us <Ep 1:4; Ro 10:14-15>.
  • God’s saving plan cannot be frustrated by human sin.

3) Yet, we cannot judge who is “Esau” or “Jacob”.

2. The folly of despising spiritual blessings.

* Birthright: Special status of firstborn >>> symbolizes the father’s strength >>> double share of inheritance

1) It was not merely a moment of folly for Esau, but he had always been foolish.

  • <Heb 12:16>: Esau was godless to sell his birthright.
  • <Gen 26:34-35> Esau married pagan women, bringing grief to his parents.

2) How can we avoid falling into folly?

(a) Beware of “exaggerated needs or feelings”.

(b) Beware of “instant gratification”.

  • Impatience = Folly

(c) Restore wisdom from the word of God.

  • Always choose to recall, believe and act by God’s truth first.
  • The word of God makes us wise for salvation <2 Ti 3:15>.

3. The struggle between people of God and those who are not.

  • <v23> “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided.” [ESV]
  • Spiritual VS Carnal; Holy Spirit VS Flesh
  • We need to live differently from the world.
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Preacher Hui Jun
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Huijun serves as Secretary of The Blessed RUN Ministries. She is also the Preacher at The Life Church and Missions (Singapore). She graduated from Singapore Bible College and currently lives in Singapore with her husband, Chengji.

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