Preview: The story of Esau is explored as a warning to us to guard our own birthrights carefully.
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:1-17.
Memory Verse: Hebrews 12:16.
1. Who was Esau’s father? Genesis 27:1.
2. Who was Esau’s grandfather? Genesis 21:3.
3. What promise did God make to Abraham (Esau’s grandfather) for his obedience? Genesis 22:15-18.
4. How did God fulfill His promise? Genesis 24:35.
5. What did Abraham do with his riches before he died? Genesis 25:5 & Genesis 24:36.
Note: Abraham appointed Isaac to be the heir of all his possessions. This means that Isaac became wealthy at his father’s death.
6. Did God bless Isaac and his wife with children? Genesis 25:21 & Genesis 25:24.
7. What was the name of Isaac’s oldest son? Genesis 25:25.
8. What was the name of Isaac’s youngest son? Genesis 25:26.
9. Which one of Isaac’s sons did he love best? Genesis 25:27-28.
Note: Not only did Isaac love Esau most, but it was customary in those days for a man to give more of his possessions to his oldest son than he did to his youngest son. The oldest son’s right to inherit the largest part of his father’s possessions was called his birthright. Esau had a large birthright because his father was a wealthy man.
10. What did Esau want from his brother Jacob one day when he came home from the field? Genesis 25:29-30.
11. What was Jacob’s response? Genesis 25:31-33.
12. How did Esau feel toward his birthright after he sold it? Genesis 25:34.
Note: In the admonition of the Apostle Paul to the Hebrews he referred them to the example of Esau. Let us see if this example is important to us today.
13. Does God have heirs? Galatians 4:4-7.
14. How did Paul describe the heirs of God? Romans 8:14.
15. Who are those who have the Spirit of God joint heirs with? Romans 8:16-17.
16. Who did John call the sons of God? I John 3:2.
17. Is God preparing something for His children? I Corinthians 2:9.
18. What has God promised to His faithful children? Revelation 2:10.
19. Did John see something God had prepared for His children when he received the revelations of Jesus Christ? Revelation 21:1-2.
Note: Christians have the greatest birthright of all people. That is why they are often eager to see it.
20. Does someone want to take our birthright? John 10:10.
21. How did Peter describe the Devil? I Peter 5:8.
Note: Be careful with your birthright. Remember Esau had a valuable birthright, and yet he sold it for a bowl of pottage. If we become careless, we will be just as foolish as Esau, sell our birthright to the Kingdom for Satan’s bowl of pottage (boyfriends, girlfriends, styles, fashions, pride, cares of this life, or something else that displeases God).