ESAU’S BAD BARGAIN

Genesis 25:29-34

I. Esau sold his birthright.

A. Birthright Background

1. The birthright entitled one to a double-portion of his

father’s inheritance (Deut. 21:17).

2. For Esau, this double-portion would have been a great

amount.

3. There were spiritual advantages to the birthright.

a. The holder became the patriarch and priest of the

house upon the father’s death.

b. The holder was able to invoke the blessing of

Abraham regarding the threefold promise

(Gen. 12:1-3; 28:4).

B. Esau’s Bad Bargain

1. He chose the sensual over the spiritual.

a. He caved to his cravings for food (Gen. 25:29-34).

b. Hebrews 12:16

2. Esau chose the present over the future.

II. Are we selling our birthright?

A. Our Christian birthright

1. We are heirs of the promise (Gal. 3:29).

2. We are joint-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:16, 17).

3. In Christ, all things are ours (1 Cor. 3:21-23).

4. Consider our heavenly inheritance (1 Pet. 1:4).

B. Are we making a bad bargain?

1. We sell our birthright by succumbing to the pleasures of

this life (Heb. 11:24-26).

2. Pursuing the flesh, instead of the spirit (Gal. 5:16-26),

results in one’s selling his birthright.

June 1, 2003 (a.m.)