Hebrews 12Hebrews 12

Esau’s Free Esau’s Free ChoiceChoice

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

Heb. 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.

13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.

13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.

13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

Hold still Hold still while the while the doctor doctor works!works!

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

Gen. 25:27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents.

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

Gen. 25:27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents.

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

Gen. 25:27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents.

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

Gen. 25: 28 Now Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

29 When Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished;

30 and Esau said to Jacob, “Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished.” Therefore his name was called Edom.

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

31 But Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.”

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

31 But Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.”Included some Included some livestock and the livestock and the leadership of the leadership of the household.household.

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

31 But Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.”Included some Included some

livestock and the livestock and the leadership of the leadership of the household. Also the household. Also the Abrahamic covenant Abrahamic covenant with Godwith God

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

31 But Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.”

32 Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?”

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

33 And Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

33 And Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.

34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

33 And Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.

34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

33 And Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.

34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

What about What about what Jacob what Jacob did?did?

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

33 And Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.

34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

What about What about what Jacob what Jacob did?did?What Esau did was What Esau did was far worse!far worse!

Soup:Soup:

Components in the Components in the ChoiceChoice

Soup:Soup: Birthright:Birthright:

Components in the Components in the ChoiceChoice

Soup:Soup:

-Immediate-Immediate

Birthright:Birthright:

Components in the Components in the ChoiceChoice

Soup:Soup:

-Immediate-Immediate

Birthright:Birthright:

-Future-Future

Components in the Components in the ChoiceChoice

Soup:Soup:

-Immediate-Immediate-Temporary-Temporary

Birthright:Birthright:

-Future-Future

Components in the Components in the ChoiceChoice

Soup:Soup:

-Immediate-Immediate-Temporary-Temporary

Birthright:Birthright:

-Future-Future-Eternal-Eternal

Components in the Components in the ChoiceChoice

Soup:Soup:

-Immediate-Immediate-Temporary-Temporary-Physical-Physical

Birthright:Birthright:

-Future-Future-Eternal-Eternal

Components in the Components in the ChoiceChoice

Soup:Soup:

-Immediate-Immediate-Temporary-Temporary-Physical-Physical

Birthright:Birthright:

-Future-Future-Eternal-Eternal-Spiritual-Spiritual

Components in the Components in the ChoiceChoice

Making the ChoiceMaking the Choice

Making the ChoiceMaking the Choice

• DishonestDishonest

Making the ChoiceMaking the Choice

• DishonestDishonest

32 Esau said, “Behold, 32 Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die; so of I am about to die; so of what use then is the what use then is the birthright to me?”birthright to me?”

Making the ChoiceMaking the Choice

• DishonestDishonest• Made under duressMade under duress

Making the ChoiceMaking the Choice

•DishonestDishonest•Made under duressMade under duress•ExistentialExistential

Making the ChoiceMaking the Choice

•DishonestDishonest•Made under duressMade under duress•ExistentialExistential•ImpulsiveImpulsive

Making the ChoiceMaking the Choice

• DishonestDishonest• Made under duressMade under duress• ExistentialExistential• ImpulsiveImpulsive• Permanently binding!Permanently binding!

Esau’sEsau’s FreeFree ChoiceChoice

Rebecca and Jacob fool Isaac into giving the blessing to the wrong son...

Esau’s Free ChoiceEsau’s Free Choice27:30 Now it came about, as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had hardly gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.

Esau’s Free ChoiceEsau’s Free Choice31 Then he also made savory food, and brought it to his father; and he said to his father, “Let my father arise and eat of his son’s game, that you may bless me.”

32 Isaac his father said to him, “Who are you?” And he said, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.”

Esau’s Free ChoiceEsau’s Free Choice33 Then Isaac trembled violently, and said, “Who was he then that hunted game and brought it to me, so that I ate of all of it before you came, and blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.”

34 When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry…

Esau’s Free Choice

33 Then Isaac trembled violently, and said, “Who was he then that hunted game and brought it to me, so that I ate of all of it before you came, and blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.”

34 When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry…

Heb 12: 17 Afterward, Heb 12: 17 Afterward, as you know, when he as you know, when he wanted to inherit this wanted to inherit this blessing, he was blessing, he was rejected, for he found rejected, for he found no place for no place for repentance, though he repentance, though he sought for it with tears. sought for it with tears.

Esau’s Free Choice

33 Then Isaac trembled violently, and said, “Who was he then that hunted game and brought it to me, so that I ate of all of it before you came, and blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.”

34 When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry…

Heb 12: 17 Afterward, Heb 12: 17 Afterward, as you know, when he as you know, when he wanted to inherit this wanted to inherit this blessing, he was blessing, he was rejected, for he found rejected, for he found no place for no place for repentance, though he repentance, though he sought for it with tears. sought for it with tears.

Esau’s Free Choice

33 Then Isaac trembled violently, and said, “Who was he then that hunted game and brought it to me, so that I ate of all of it before you came, and blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.”

34 When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry…

Heb 12: 17 Afterward, Heb 12: 17 Afterward, as you know, when he as you know, when he wanted to inherit this wanted to inherit this blessing, he was blessing, he was rejected, for he found rejected, for he found no place for no place for repentance, though he repentance, though he sought for it with tears. sought for it with tears. Not rejected byNot rejected by GodGod

(salvation) but(salvation) but byby IsaacIsaac

Making the ChoiceMaking the Choice

•DishonestDishonest•Made under duressMade under duress•ExistentialExistential•ImpulsiveImpulsive•Permanently binding!Permanently binding!

Results of the ChoiceResults of the Choice

Results of the ChoiceResults of the Choice

• Ate the soupAte the soup

Results of the ChoiceResults of the Choice

• Ate the soup (bread too)Ate the soup (bread too)

Results of the ChoiceResults of the Choice

• Ate the soup (bread too)Ate the soup (bread too)• Did not lose the propertyDid not lose the property

Results of the ChoiceResults of the Choice

• Ate the soup (bread too)Ate the soup (bread too)• Did not lose the propertyDid not lose the property• Lost his place in God’s covenantLost his place in God’s covenant

Results of the ChoiceResults of the Choice

•Ate the soup (bread too)Ate the soup (bread too)•Did not lose the propertyDid not lose the property•Lost his place in God’s covenant Lost his place in God’s covenant •Irreversible Irreversible

ApplicationApplicationWe may come under pain, like Esau

We may consider going for the immediate, temporary solution

Our decision may be more significant than we think…

ApplicationApplicationWe may come under pain, like Esau

We may consider going for the immediate temporary solution

Our decision may be more significant than we think…

Heb 12:11 No discipline Heb 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a however, it produces a harvest of righteousness harvest of righteousness and peace for those who and peace for those who have been trained by it.have been trained by it.

ApplicationApplicationWe may come under pain, like Esau

We may consider going for the immediate temporary solution

Our decision may be more significant than we think…

Heb 12:11 No discipline Heb 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a however, it produces a harvest of righteousness harvest of righteousness and peace for those who and peace for those who have been trained by it.have been trained by it.

Hold still and

Hold still and

let the doctor w

ork!

let the doctor w

ork!

PossiblePossible SignificantSignificant ChoicesChoices

I refuse to be alone I refuse to be alone any more! any more!

Abandoning my postAbandoning my postOmissionOmissionMaterialistic prioritiesMaterialistic priorities

44 LessonsLessons

1. No such thing as a hunger 1. No such thing as a hunger so great that it would justify so great that it would justify trading away God’s will for trading away God’s will for my lifemy life

2. The decisions I’m making 2. The decisions I’m making today may permanently today may permanently change my life, and may be change my life, and may be irreversible on some levelirreversible on some level

44 LessonsLessons3. When we can’t know what is 3. When we can’t know what is right, God promises he will keep right, God promises he will keep us from serious trouble (Phil. us from serious trouble (Phil. 3:15)3:15)

4. Even if we make the wrong 4. Even if we make the wrong choice, God can redeem the choice, God can redeem the situation to a substantial degreesituation to a substantial degree