Don't Despise Your Birthright

Don't Despise Your Birthright

04 January, 2026

Thesis: Believers possess a spiritual birthright in Christ, secured by God's grace, that must be valued above all temporary earthly satisfactions.

Summary: The sermon reviews the church's past year of growth and introduces the story of Jacob and Esau from Genesis 25, examining their birth and contrasting characteristics. It details Esau's decision to sell his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew, portraying this act as a prioritization of immediate gratification over eternal value. The preacher contrasts Esau's choices with Jesus's responses to temptation, highlighting Christ's prioritization of God's will over immediate satisfaction. The sermon then describes the believer's spiritual birthright in Christ and discusses the implications of trading eternal blessings for temporary worldly desires. Finally, it traces the historical hostility of Esau's descendants, the Edomites, against Israel, concluding with the assertion that God's grace extends to them, citing prophetic and New Testament passages on Gentile inclusion in the Messiah's kingdom.

Sermon

Alright, well, good morning everyone! I haven't seen you all year, but that's just a joke we all make. Let me make another joke about making jokes. I have seen some of you since then, but thank you all for being here today, and Happy New Year to you! Turn in your Bibles to Genesis chapter 25, and please keep us in your prayers.

Now, whatever's going on with my hearing, I haven't gotten over it yet, and I can hardly hear this morning. I'm probably operating at about 30% of my normal hearing, so I hope you can understand me. If you say something to me, I might not respond because I likely didn't hear you. Alison's been trying to get me to go to the doctor, and I think I have a bilateral ear infection, but I'll be fine. Just bear with me today.

Now, let me tell you, there's a spiritual birthright in Christ that we often overlook. It's not just about physical blessings or material wealth. It's about our inheritance as children of God, heirs to His kingdom! And it starts right here, in Genesis 25, with Isaac and his twin sons, Esau and Jacob. You see, Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of lentil stew. He threw away something priceless, something that was his by right, for a fleeting moment of pleasure. Brothers and sisters, we must not make the same mistake! We have been given so much more than a physical birthright. We've been given eternal life, salvation, and a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe! Let's not squander our spiritual inheritance on temporary pleasures or earthly pursuits.

So, let's dive into Genesis 25 together, and let's be reminded of the value of our spiritual birthright in Christ. And remember, even if you can't hear me clearly today, God hears your heart, and He sees your desire to grow in Him. Let's magnify His name together!

So, I hope you can hear me, because I can't hear myself. Genesis 25, but I do thank you for coming this morning. If you're visiting, we love you—I pray you feel at home and welcome here. Most of all, I pray that you see Jesus magnified. I pray that God will receive glory. I praise Him for what He has done for this church in the past year. I was telling the people who gathered Wednesday evening, I can just look and see the work of God in the past year, how much we've grown, not only numerically, but how we have grown in maturity, how we have grown in Christ, the hunger for God's Word, the love for one another, for our community, for missions, and the doors of opportunity that God has opened for us. A church to engage unreached people groups, the souls who have been saved outside of these walls, and even outside of this country, and how God has used this local church to reach those people. Man, it's amazing, the work of God.

And to God be the glory for all of that. I'm looking forward to the Lord blessing us. I'm looking forward to the Lord establishing the work of His hands in this new year, as we continue to follow His leading, as we continue to live on mission together. I told you last week I was planning on finishing this chapter, but you guys know that didn't work out. But the Word of God keeps. It is kept for thousands of years, and it stands steadfast forever and ever. This will be part two. We're looking at two sons, the sovereignty of God over creation, and a bowl of stew.

Last week we talked about how Rebekah, like Sarah, was barren, and how Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife, and the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah, his wife, conceived. We talked about these two sons, and how God chose Jacob over Esau. Before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, before they could do anything to earn God's choice or anything to forfeit God's choice, God chose Jacob over Esau. We talked about the doctrine of election, and Paul's commentary of this story in Romans chapter 9. If you need to catch up, check it out. Check out last week's service, and that will get you up to speed. We're going to look here in Genesis 25, beginning in verse 21, we'll read through verse 34.

Set the context, and then we'll go through, and we'll make some commentary on each verse. Beginning in verse 21, now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah, his wife, conceived. But the children struggled together within her. And she said, if all is well, why am I like this? So she went to inquire of the Lord. Now remember, the Hebrew word for struggled means that these are the children that are struggling. These guys were wrestling. They were pressing each other. They were literally crushing each other in the womb. They were having a war in the womb. And so she says, if all is well, why am I like this? She asked the Lord, what is going on?

The Lord says to her in verse 23, two nations are in your womb. Two people shall be separated from your body. One people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger. So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed, there were twins in her womb. And fun fact, this is the first mention of twins in the Bible. Now notice when they're born. The first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over. So they called his name Esau. Rather fascinating fact, isn't it? Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau's heel. So his name was called Jacob. Isaac was 60 years old when she bore them. How would you like to be 60 years old and just starting the family?

Now the boys grew up, and Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. Pay attention to this verse. Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, that is his venison, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Now here's where the story gets good. Jacob cooked a stew. And Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. And Esau said to Jacob, please feed me with that same red stew, underline red. For I am weary. Therefore his name was called Edom, underline Edom. But Jacob said, sell me your birthright as of this day. And Esau said, look, I'm about to die. So what is this birthright to me? And Jacob said, swear to me as of this day. And so he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils.

Now here's where the story gets good. How would you like to be 60 years old and just starting a family? Jacob cooked a stew. He told Esau, "Sell me your birthright." Esau replied, "Look, I'm dying of hunger. What good is the birthright to me?" Jacob said, "Swear to me." Esau swore, and Jacob gave him bread and lentil stew. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Right off the bat, we see a pattern of reversal, don't we? This moment—Esau trading his birthright for a meal—mirrors the broader theme of God choosing the unexpected, the unworthy, for His purposes. It's a vivid illustration of salvation by grace, not by human merit or earthly advantage.

Then he ate and drank, and rose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. Right off the bat, we find a pattern of reversal, don't we? We see that the younger is chosen over the elder. And since we spent such time last week, I will not belabor that point. But what we see here in the choosing of the younger, Jacob over the older Esau, we actually see a consistent biblical theme. We see Abel chosen over Cain. We saw Isaac was chosen over Ishmael. Later we'll see Joseph chosen over his older brothers. Ephraim will be chosen over Manasseh. Moses will be chosen over Miriam and Aaron. David will be chosen over his older brothers. David's son Solomon will be chosen over Adonijah.

Now, why do we consistently see this pattern throughout Scripture? Well, Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:26 and 29, he says, not many of you were wise, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. Yet God chose what was foolish to shame the wise. God chose the weak to shame the strong so that no human being might boast in God's presence. Why does God consistently flip things upside down? It's because God chooses this way as salvation by grace, not by right, not by human merit, not by earthly advantage. See, God consistently calls the undeserving, the overlooked, the unworthy for His purposes, all by His grace.

You see, God's kingdom is an upside-down kingdom, isn't it? In God's economy, everything is reversed. For example, we find strength in weakness, strength in dependence. We find victory through the apparent defeat of the cross. We have life and resurrection through death. We have exaltation through humility. We experience love and respect. We gain by losing. We become first by becoming last. We become great by serving. We become rich through poverty. And we become wise through apparent foolishness. Friends, that is grace. That is grace taking the least likely and making them chosen. That is grace taking the unworthy and making them worthy and beloved. That is grace taking the outsider and bringing them in. That is grace taking the younger and giving them the inheritance.

Now this points to the ultimate reversal in the gospel. Because what do we find when Jesus comes on the scene? We find tax collectors and sinners entering the kingdom of God while priests and Pharisees are kept out. We find last day laborers receiving the same wage as the first. We see prodigal sons welcome home and given the blessings of the older brother. And we find Gentiles outside of the covenant drafted into Israel through the church.

Now Jesus Himself, He embodies this pattern, doesn't He? He's rejected by men but chosen by God. He came with no form or comeliness or majesty. He was despised and rejected. He was crucified as a criminal. Yet God has exalted Him to the highest place. See, God's economy turns upside down, inverting the world's values. And so this morning, listen, application for you. If you find yourself as the younger brother, as the one unlikely to be saved, as the one with no earthly advantage, take heart. Why? Because God delights to choose the weak, to shame the strong, the foolish, to shame the wise. Therefore, you can come empty-handed. You can come as the unlikely one, the undeserving one, because God specializes in choosing the least likely to display the riches of His grace. Praise God for that.

Let's examine the stories of these individuals. We'll look at their contrasting natures. So let's begin by examining the birth scene in verses 24 through 26. When her days of giving birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb. Anybody a twin or had twins? Nobody at all. Wow, that's kind of surprising. Oh, yeah, that's right. That's right, you all twins. I was like, I know we got somebody somewhere in here. Well, perhaps, did you all fight? Did you all fight growing up? Was there a Jacob and Esau tension? Just a little bit? Maybe you all got along. These guys will not get along. Their children's children will not get along. And we'll flesh that out as we go along.

These two brothers could not be more different. As I said before, the first came out red and hairy, so they named him Esau. Imagine having a kid who looks like that; it's a face only a mother could love. Then his brother comes out, but he's grasping Esau's heel, as if saying, "No, you're not going to be born before me." So they named them Esau and Jacob.

Now, in Hebrew, names are never arbitrary; they carry meaning, revealing character and often predicting destiny. Let's consider the name Esau. When we hear it, we should think of a man of the earth, his name related to a Hebrew word that means "complete" or "fully formed." He's covered with hair as if he's already grown, foreshadowing his future role as the ancestor of the hairy people who will inhabit the mountainous region of Seir. This contrast in their natures sets the stage for the tension between these two brothers and their descendants throughout generations.

He's a man of the earth. Now, his children will grow up in the mountainous region known as Seir. You read it all throughout the Old Testament. And Seir is related to the Hebrew word for hairy. So Esau and his descendants go down in history as the hairy people.

They say that Esau was a hairy fellow, red all over like his name suggests. Now, he's been out hunting all day, and he comes home tired, hungry, and empty-handed. He sees Jacob cooking up some stew, and he says, "Give me some of that red stuff to eat, please." You see, Esau lives for his appetites. He's driven by what he wants, what he smells, what he desires. And right now, all he can think about is getting that bowl of stew into his belly.

But Jacob sees an opportunity here. He's been waiting for this moment, it seems. So, he says to Esau, "Alright, but you've got to sell me your birthright first." Now, the birthright was a big deal back then. It meant getting a double portion of the family inheritance, becoming the head of the household, and being part of God's special plan for His people. But Esau doesn't care about any of that. He's too focused on his immediate hunger.

He says, "I'm about to die, so what good is my birthright to me?" He's exaggerating, of course. He's not really dying; he's just hungry and uncomfortable. But in his fleshly desire for instant gratification, he's willing to give up something incredibly valuable for a bowl of stew.

So, Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for that very moment of satisfaction. It's a tragic decision, born out of living for the here and now instead of considering the eternal treasures he's giving up. But even in this sinful act, God is at work, using Jacob's opportunism to bring about His will.

But let's look at the birthright. What exactly is at stake? Jacob is cooking a stew. He's been home all day. I can imagine him throwing these lentils and maybe some potatoes and some carrots he's grown, and he's cooking up this stew. And Esau comes in from the field, from the hunt, and he's weary, he's tired, he's hungry. Evidently, he's been unsuccessful. Anybody hunters in here and you leave the field haven't shot nothing? Well, that's what Esau's feeling. And Esau says to Jacob, "Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary." Therefore, his name is called Edom. Remember, red stew, red hairy guy. Jacob, though, seizes the opportunity and he says, "Sell me your birthright as of this day."

Now, what on earth is a birthright? Anybody familiar with a birthright? Well, here's what a birthright is in the Old Testament—it’s a comprehensive package. And it was given to the firstborn. Number one, it included a double portion of the inheritance. What on earth does that mean? Well, Deuteronomy 21:17 tells us what. Imagine this: the father has three sons and 40 pieces of silver. Now, he divides it into four shares. The firstborn receives two shares. The other two sons receive one share. So, he receives a double portion of the family wealth of the inheritance.

Secondly, the birthright involves leadership of the family. The firstborn will become head of the household when the father dies. So, he becomes the patriarch. That means he begins to make family decisions, he resolves disputes, he represents the family, he's responsible for protecting the family name, he's responsible to provide for the members, to manage property.

Thirdly, it entails a priestly role. Now, before the Levitical priesthood, the firstborn function as family priest. They would lead worship, they would pray, they would intercede for the family, they would teach the family about God, they would pass on the spiritual heritage, they would maintain the family's relationship with God.

And fourthly, it involved covenant blessings. Now, remember Abraham's family. Therefore, the birthright included direct connection to God's covenant promises—the land, the seed, the blessings—all belonged to the firstborn. The land of Canaan, offspring as numerous as the stars and sand, that through them, through their seed, all the nations on the earth would be blessed—that belonged to Esau. But most importantly, these promises pointed prophetically to the Messiah. The birthright meant being in the Messianic line.

So, what is Esau willing to give up? All these things—that's a lot: double portion, economic security, his position as family head and leader, and his participation in the redemptive plan—for what? A bowl of red stew.

Let's look at this transaction and let's talk about immediate gratification versus eternal treasure. We see Jacob, the opportunist. It's almost like Jacob has been waiting for this moment his whole life. If he could not keep him from being born before him, maybe somehow he can trick him, deceive him, weasel his way in and get the birthright from him. So, Esau comes in exhausted, and Jacob sees the opportunity. He's like a predator spotting wounded prey. He sees weakness and he exploits it. Esau's like, "Give me a bowl of this stew," and Jacob's like, "Huh, alright. Sell me your birthright first—not have some stew, my brother." But no, "give me what I want, and you know what I want. You know exactly what I want." It's like Jacob has been calculating this for years. Jacob's exploitation of his brother is sinful, it's wicked, and it's wrong.

But here's the mystery of the sovereignty of God—that God rules and overrides even in the sinful scheming of Jacob. Is that not a sovereign God who can take the wrong and wicked actions of others and still use it for His glory and still bring about God's purposes through it? Jacob is eventually going to reap what he sows. He's going to eventually spend twenty-one years with a man named Laban who will be his father-in-law, being manipulated and deceived himself. Be sure you will reap what you sow.

But let's look at why exactly Esau was willing to sell his birthright. How on earth did Jacob weasel his way in here, manipulate the situation, and get the birthright just like that? Why did Esau hand over the birthright? Number one, I want you to write these down. He lived for his appetites. Esau lived for his appetites. Verse 30: "Let me eat some of that red stew." In Hebrew, it's really crude the way it's written—it's "Let me gulp down some of that red stuff." He's like an animal, a big, muscular, hairy, red animal. Just let me swallow this stew down. He's so driven by his appetite he can barely form civilized sentences. This is the language of someone who's governed by the flesh. And much like Eve in the garden before him, he lives for the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. He sees what he wants. He smells what he wants. He desires what he wants. And he's going to have it.

Number two, he lives for instant gratification. Verse 32: He says, "I'm about to die." Not hardly. He's hungry. He's exhausted. He's uncomfortable. But he is not dying. This dramatic exaggeration, born out of fleshly appetite. And then he says, "Because of what use is a birthright to me? When I'm about to starve to death. What value is future inheritance?" When my stomach is empty today. You see, he can't see beyond the moment. All that exists is his empty stomach, a bubbling pot of stew, and his immediate gratification.

Number three, he despised the eternal and chose the temporary. Verse 34 says, "Esau despised his birthright." The Hebrew word for despise means to regard as worthless, to treat with contempt, to have no respect for. In other words, he cares not for spiritual things. All that he craves is of the earth. He chooses earth stew over heaven's manna. We might say, now Jacob, being the shrewd man that he is, he doesn't take any chances. He wants Esau to swear. Not just agree or promise. He wants to make this transaction legally binding and irrevocable.

Swear to me now that all you have is mine. Give me the birthright. And I'll give you this bowl of stew.

Verse 34. We notice five quick verbs. He gave. He ate. He drank. He rose. And then he went. There's no pause. There's no reflection. There's no wait. What have I done? It's just satisfying hunger. It's like an animal's instinct. He's quenched his thirst. He stands up. He walks away. He's done with it. Birthright gone. Means nothing to him.

What on earth does this have to do with us? Because I wasn't born with a birthright. And most of you weren't either. Well, Hebrews 12, verse 15 through 17, holds up Esau as a stark and urgent warning. The writer of Hebrews says, "See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, that no one is sexually immoral." Like Esau, whose story serves as a stark warning, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. For he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

Esau is placed alongside the sexually immoral. Why? Because both sins share the same rot. It's prioritizing immediate gratification over spiritual reality and eternal consequence. Later he weeps, as we'll see in a couple of chapters. Later he wants the blessing desperately, but there's no place for repentance; what has been done cannot be undone. He can't undo the transaction. Friends, some choices have consequences that cannot be undone in this life. Be careful how you live your life, for the choices you make cannot be undone in this life. Be careful what you choose. Be careful not to live according to what you want, what you perceive, or what you desire here and now, and fail to take inventory of your own heart. Fail to take into consideration your own heart and how this decision will affect you down the road, and especially into eternity.

Esau weeps, as we'll see. He cries. He begs. He pleads. His father Isaac to bless him with the birthright. But he finds no true repentance. He doesn't weep because he values spiritual things. He weeps because he lost what he desired most, for he did not possess godly sorrow. He still cared little about the things of God. He simply wanted the blessings of God.

But then we see Christ, who is the perfect opposite of Esau. Remember in Matthew 4, after Jesus' baptism. Indeed, let us remember—this is the moment that sets the stage for the greatest temptation of all. Jesus fasts for forty days and forty nights. Now Esau was exhausted from a day of hunting. But Jesus is genuinely physically starving. And He too is tempted. Satan comes to Him. The first temptation: command these stones to become loaves of bread. Satisfy your legitimate physical need now. You have the power. Why suffer? Isn't this exactly Esau's temptation? You have a legitimate physical need. You have a desire for something that is good. Satisfy yourself now.

Is that not what Satan tempts us with? A lot of time it's things that are good and legitimate. It's just used in the wrong way at the wrong time, with the wrong person. Jesus responds, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." I'm not going to live according to my appetites. My desires will not be what controls me. The Spirit will be who controls me. Unlike Esau, Jesus valued God's word and the Father's will above immediate physical satisfaction.

Jesus is tempted again the second time. This time it was jumping from the pinnacle of the temple. Prove yourself. Have instant recognition. Instant glory. Without the long road of ministry and rejection and suffering. And Jesus says, "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test." He will not manipulate circumstances. But in Christ, we are called to value our spiritual birthright, trusting in the Father's timing and purpose over fleeting desires.

Or bypass the Father's plan for the immediate spectacle of the people. His third temptation: Satan shows Him all the kingdoms of the earth. And he says, "All these I will give you, if you'll just do one thing." One compromise. Bow down and worship me. It's the ultimate offer, isn't it? Achieve your purpose without suffering. The kingdoms are yours anyway. That's your rightful inheritance. Have them now without the cross. Without the pangs of agony. Without being forsaken. Just one moment of compromise. That's all it takes. No one will see. No one will know. Just bow to me once.

Oh, we can hear Satan behind all these temptations. The temptation to Eve. Just one bite of the forbidden fruit. His temptation to Esau. Just one spoonful of stew. His temptation of Christ. Just one moment of reverence. Jesus commands, "Be gone, Satan!" This stark contrast between Eve's yielding, Esau's exchange, and Christ's unwavering resolve reveals the heart of spiritual warfare. While Eve and Esau succumbed to fleeting desires, Jesus alone resisted the devil's offer, affirming that true worship belongs to God alone. His response to temptation was not a passive refusal but an active declaration of allegiance to the Father's will.

For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God and him only you shall serve." That's an absolute contrast between Eve, Esau, and Christ, isn't it? Esau despised spiritual things for immediate physical satisfaction. Jesus treasured the Father's will above all physical needs and comforts, even above all earthly kingdoms. Esau is driven by appetite; he's controlled by immediate bodily need, governed by the flesh, able to see only the present. Jesus, however, is driven by obedience to God's word, controlled by a love and desire for the Father's glory, governed by the Spirit, valuing eternal realities over temporary comforts. And friends, because Jesus never succumbed to temptation, because He valued what God values, because He endured the cross for the joy set before Him, He secures the true birthright for us. What Esau sold, Christ purchases back; what Esau despised, Christ redeems.

Christ treasured what Esau traded for temporary satisfaction. Christ secured this treasure through eternal suffering. This is how we apply this truth: If you are in Christ, you have a birthright. You have an inheritance. Romans 8:15-17 says you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons. And if children, then you are heirs—co-heirs of God and fellow heirs of Christ. Peter tells us we have an inheritance that is incorruptible, imperishable, undefiled, unfading, reserved in heaven for you. Your birthright in Christ as a believer includes your adoption as God’s children, your citizenship in heaven, and the Holy Spirit as a guarantee. Hope of resurrection. Eternal life with God. God Himself is your portion forever. And along with Him He gives us every spiritual blessing.

So do not trade that for a bowl of stew. Do not trade that for anything that society has to offer. Do not trade the eternal for the temporary. So I want to ask you this morning, what are you selling your birthright for? And maybe you are lost this morning. You are not even an heir of Christ. But yet He offers you the treasures of the kingdom. What on earth would it profit you if you were to gain everything but lose your own soul? What are you trading your soul for? For sexual immorality? Are you trading pure eternal joy with God for a few moments of physical gratification that leaves shame and bondage? Are you trading it for money and success? Are you compromising obedience for career advancement? For bigger houses? For more comfort? For treasure that will rust and rot and will burn away? Are you trading it for entertainment and comfort? To gain human approval? Are you compromising your conviction? Are you watering down your witness, believer? Are you hiding your faith to fit in to avoid conflict? Are you settling for a lesser standard when you could have Christ's perfection?

You know every time we choose sin over obedience, we are acting just as Esau. We are asking the same question. What good is this birthright to me when I'm hungry now? What good is purity when this relationship makes me feel desired? What good is integrity when this compromise will advance my career now? What good is Bible reading when this show entertains me now? What good is witness when silence makes things comfortable? What good is obedience when this shortcut gets me what I want? What good is heaven when earth is calling out to us now?

We look at Esau and we say how stupid. What a fool. But yet we do the same thing every day when we trade the eternal for the temporary. What does it profit if you gained the whole earth and everything in it and yet you lose your soul? And what can a man give in return for his soul? Absolutely nothing. Nothing Satan offers. No bowl of stew is worth losing heaven over. A bowl of earthly stew cannot replace heaven's manna.

So I want to ask you, what are you trading your birthright for? We should learn to value what God values and love what He loves. Don't be like Esau. Don't despise your birthright. Train your heart to value what God values. And treasure Christ above all.

We'll talk more in several weeks about Jacob and his striving. We see Jacob was a scoundrel who manipulated and exploited his brother. This was wrong of him, to manipulate the circumstances and exploit his brother. Yet God still blessed him despite himself. But oh Jacob, God's going to give him a run for his money. He'll eventually break him, teaching Jacob that you don't receive God's blessings by conniving and striving and manipulating. You receive them by doing just that. By receiving it as a free gift.

This truth will become clear in due time, and I want to close with this: Jesus Christ is the true firstborn, who secures the inheritance for us. Remember what Esau despised and forfeited. Christ secures it for us and freely gives it to us by His grace. You know, Jesus is the true firstborn. Colossians 1:15 and 18 says that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything He might be preeminent. Firstborn does not mean that there is a time in which Jesus never existed. Firstborn simply means first in rank and first in preeminence. Because Jesus is God. And Jesus has always existed as God. When it says He's the firstborn, that means He has all the rights of the firstborn—that He is the representative head, that He is the ruler of the kingdom, that He receives the double portion of the Father's inheritance.

And here's the significance: As believers, we share in that inheritance. We share in the birthright that belongs to the firstborn. Romans 8:29 says those whom He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. Jesus is the true firstborn. But notice what He does with His position. Philippians 2:5 says, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. But emptied Himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men, and being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.

He was in the form of God. That means He possessed fully the divine nature, all rights and privileges of deity. But He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped—literally something to be held on to tightly. He wasn't like Jacob who held on to Esau's heel. He was willing to relinquish and let go of the use of His prerogatives, laying down His own glory for us. Not setting aside His deity, but adding to Himself sinless humanity and going to the cross. Jesus went all the way—right to the point of death. Unlike Jacob, who tried to manipulate and conspire to get God's blessings, Jesus willingly gave up God's blessings and poured them out on all of us.

Through Christ, the true firstborn, we receive the birthright. Because of our union with Him, we inherit all the rights and privileges of the firstborn. What does that include? Adoption, an imperishable inheritance, the Holy Spirit as a guarantee, citizenship in heaven, eternal life, and glorification. We have God Himself as our portion. The birthright Esau sold for a bowl of soup—Christ bought with His blood. The blessing Jacob stole through deception—Christ freely gives through grace. The struggle Jacob had with God, Christ endured and won for us, in His wilderness temptation, in Gethsemane's agony, at Calvary's cross, and through the empty tomb's victory. He secures for us the birthright.

So let's recap what we've learned. We've learned that God chooses us. He elects us based upon His own free grace. Not through merit. Not through foreseen faith. But all for the purpose of His glory. To showcase His grace. We see the pattern of reversal. It finds its climax in Christ, that He gives grace to those who are unlikely and unworthy. That's the sovereign, scandalous, saving grace of God.

Now, I want to leave you with a really, really cool nugget I've found as I was mining the gems out of this chapter. You guys ready? We've got just a few more minutes. Everybody got their thinking caps on? Everybody ready? Okay.

Did you know that there is hope for Esau yet? There is hope for the Edomites, the descendants of Esau. Now, as we read through the Old Testament, we'll find that not only did these two brothers hate each other, but their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren also hated each other. Just as these two brothers were fighting in the womb, their descendants will fight each other tooth and nail. Later, the children of Jacob will become Israel, the nation. The children of Esau will become Edom, the Edomites.

Well, Numbers 20 records how the Edomites refused to let Israel pass through their territory on the way to the Promised Land. Later, Esau's grandson named Amalek will father the Amalekites. And the Amalekites will attack Israel after they leave Egypt. They will attack them from behind. They will kill the elderly and the children. And God declares perpetual war on the Amalekites. Saul fights with the Amalekites. David fights with the Amalekites. Later, we read about a man named Haman in the book of Esther. Guess where he comes from? He's an Edomite. He's a descendant of Esau. And what does Haman do? Haman wants the Jews exterminated. Thankfully, God saves them through Queen Esther.

Later on in the Bible, we read in Psalm 137, verse 7. Israel is lamenting and they're saying, "Remember, O Lord, against the Edomites, the day of Jerusalem, how they said, 'Lay it bare, lay it bare down to its foundation.'" So when Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians in 586 B.C., guess who was there to gloat? The Edomites. The descendants of Esau. Guess who rounded up Jews and gave them to Nebuchadnezzar's men? Edomites. There's an obscure book in the Old Testament called the Book of Obadiah. It's an entire book devoted to pronouncing judgment on the Edomites, the descendants of Esau, for their violence towards their brothers, the Israelites.

And yet, there is still hope for them. I want you to turn there. Turn to Amos, chapter 9, verse 1 and 12. Amos 9:1-12. This is an obscure passage in an obscure book of the Bible, but it shows us how God's grace meets estranged brothers and brings them home.

This is a Messianic prophecy. Amos says, "In that day I will raise up the booth of David that has fallen, and repair its breaches, and rebuild it as in the days of old, so that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and be called the children of the Lord." And all the nations who are called by my name declares the Lord who does this. So, Amos is prophesying not merely a political restoration, but the advance of the Messianic kingdom—the throne of David. Who sits on that throne? Jesus Christ, right?

Remarkably, Amos explicitly names Edom, these people long associated with hostility towards Israel, as among those who will be brought under David's restored rule. Think about this: God is promising that even the descendants of Esau, even those who despise their spiritual heritage, even those who have opposed God's people for centuries, even they will be included in the Messiah's kingdom. How? Through Gentile inclusion in the church of Jesus Christ.

Remember how I explained that Edom is not only related to Adam, the first man, but that Adam symbolizes all of humanity? In other words, God is going to bring people from Israel, from Edom, all the people from Adam, from every tribe, tongue, and nation, together under the reign of the Messiah. How does He do that? By bringing them all into one body, known as the church.

We're not done yet. Acts chapter 15. The first council, the first church council meets in Jerusalem. And they are gathered to address an issue. Must Gentiles become Jews in order to belong to God's people? Now James, the brother of the Lord, stands up and quotes—guess what scripture? Amos 9:1 and 12. He says, "Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for His name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it's written, 'After this I will return and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen. I will rebuild its ruins. I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord and all the Gentiles who are called by My name,' says the Lord, who makes these things known forever."

Being included in one body through one blood with one Lord and one faith and one baptism. That is what Jesus does. He is our peace who takes us who were once far off and brings us near by the blood of Christ, who tears down the dividing wall of hostility and makes in Himself one new man called the church.

Do you see what this means? This means that God's grace can reach even descendants of Esau. God can reach those whose lives are emblematic of profanity and godlessness and covenant hostility. For us, that means that no person is too far gone. No family line is too dysfunctional or too corrupt. No history is too dark. No sin is too great. No rebellion is too deep. Christ can save even Esau. Praise God for that. He doesn't just save Jacob's. He saves Esau's as well. For there's no distinction between Jew and Greek. The same Lord is rich in mercy unto all who call upon Him, for whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.

I'm going to give you one last little bit of information. And we just celebrated Christmas. And there is a king by the name of Herod the Great. Well, guess whose line he comes from? Edom. He is also a descendant of Esau. And what did he try to do? He tried to kill the Christ child in Matthew 2. Remember? He was unsuccessful, though he did attempt to kill the Christ child in Matthew 2. He was responsible for the murder of many babes in Bethlehem. Christ survives. Herod dies.

But did you know, according to Acts 13:1, there is a lifelong friend of Herod the Tetrarch, a man connected to Herod's household who becomes a believer. So from Genesis all the way to the early church in the book of Acts we can trace the descendants of Esau. We can trace their hostility. And yet we see that God's grace extends to them, even those with a history of opposition, like Edom and Herod. We can trace their hostility, and yet we see that God's grace reaches even those whose lives are emblematic of covenant hostility, proving that no history is too dark, no sin too great, and no rebellion too deep for God's redemption.

This teaches us, friends, that no person is outside the reach of grace—no one, not even those who have walked in darkness like Esau and his descendants. As they sing a hymn of invitation, maybe today you feel like you're more like Esau: someone who has despised spiritual things, who has lived only for self, who has turned away from God's call. But hear this: even Edomites, even those who once plotted against Christ, can be redeemed through Him. Just as Herod's household saw grace in the early church, so too can we—no matter how far we've strayed—find mercy and new life in Jesus.

Hear this. Just as Esau's story reminds us that no one is beyond grace, even in Christ, Edomites can be redeemed. Even those who have lived in spiritual uncleanness can be transformed into vessels of holiness. Even the profane can become holy. Even the hostile can become family. The gospel is for people who have despised their birthright.

Maybe you feel like you have more in common with Jacob. Maybe you grew up in church. Maybe you have a heritage of faith. Don't look down on others, realize that you too are a scoundrel. You too have received mercy that you did not deserve. And God has graciously included you in the family of Christ.

Friends, Christ's kingdom is advancing. David's tent is being rebuilt. And its purpose is that people from all nations, Israel, Edom, people from all tribes and tongues, will be united in Christ in the church. He is the greatest Son. He is the true firstborn. This is the inheritance He secures for us—all the benefits of the birthright. Don't exchange what God provides for what Satan tempts you with. Don't trade the dust of this life for the diamonds of eternity. Amen.

Anything that you trade here for there, you're trading dust for diamonds. You're trading the temporary for the eternal. Come and receive what Christ, the true firstborn, truly gives you. He will freely give you all who will receive it. So maybe this morning, if you're lost, you need to understand Jesus has done everything that needs to be done for you to be saved. What you need to do now is repent of your sins and believe the gospel. Believe Jesus lived a perfect life in your place, that He died on the cross for your sins, that He was buried, and that three days later He rose from the grave. Receive His salvation as a free gift. Maybe this morning you would like to just come and pray.

You can do so, or you can pray right where you are. Come and thank God for all the blessings He has secured for us, that unlike Jacob we don't have to conceive and strive and grasp. No, we simply need to pray. We simply stretch out empty hands and receive what He has freely given us. You may come and pray now.