Peninsula Enterprise

IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

(By REV. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D., Member of Faculty, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. (?. 1932. Western Newspaper Union.))

Lesson for May 8

Esau sells his birthright. (Temperance Lesson.)

LESSON TEXT—Genesis 25:27-34.

GOLDEN TEXT—And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

PRIMARY TOPIC—A Trade Between Brothers.

JUNIOR TOPIC—A Hungry Man's Costly Dinner.

INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC—Controlling Our Appetites.

YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC—Indulgence or Self-Control?

After years of married life, Isaac and Rebekah had no children to gladden their hearts, for Rebekah was barren. In response to Isaac's entreaty twins were born whose names were Esau and Jacob. The Lord revealed to Rebekah that the elder should serve the younger. The common law among the Israelites was that the elder should have the place of pre-eminence.

I. Boys with a Difference (v. 27).

Esau and Jacob were in decided contrast. They differed in appearance and disposition. Every child born into the world possesses a peculiar bent which we call individuality, back of which is personality. No two are exactly alike, even twins, as Esau and Jacob. The wise parent, the wide-awake teacher, the educator seek diligently to discover this individuality in every child and to give it direction according to the laws of the individual being.

1. Esau was "a cunning hunter," a man of the field. He was energetic and of a roaming disposition, impulsive, and self-indulgent. He lacked foresight and was under the sway of appetite.

2. Jacob was "a plain man dwelling in tents." He was a home boy, choosing to look after the flocks and herds and other affairs at home. He was not, however, a negative character for he showed great capacity for affection and administration.

II. Parental Favoritism (v. 28).

1. Isaac loved Esau because he did eat of his venison. He ought to have loved him because he was his son. It is a sad commentary upon a father that his love for his son had such a sordid basis as that of his appetite. Isaac, however, is like many today whose love is secured through such an appeal.

2. Rebekah loved Jacob. We are not told why she loved Jacob. Naturally, his being much at home would cause a peculiar love to spring up between him and his mother. Perhaps it was because of his being of a similar disposition. Both Jacob and his mother displayed unusual traits of cunning. Cleverness is the bond which strongly binds together many people.

III. A Birthright Sold (vv. 29-34).

1. Esau's profanity (Heb. 12:16, 17). He sold his birthright for a bowl of pottage. The birthright was the right of being at the head of the patriarchal family, a position of honor and influence, as well as being the inheritor of a double portion of the father's estate.

Esau came from hunting, physically exhausted. In this moment of distress he thought only of that which promised immediate satisfaction. He was willing to relinquish all claim upon the future if only his present desire could be gratified. A profane person is one who for the enjoyment of the present will forfeit all claim upon the future. He would gladly gain both worlds, but seeing that mess of pottage, he let go of the future for the enjoyment of the present. Swearing is profanity, but not of the most common variety. To be under the sway of appetite is to be profane. What profanity about us! For a moment's sinful pleasure men and women are throwing away innocence, happiness, and their souls eternally. This is most serious, for their acts are irrevocable.

2. Jacob's cunning. It was right that Jacob should have the birthright for it was according to God's plan which had been announced (v. 23), but his scheme to get it is to be condemned. He took advantage of his brother's weakness to drive a sharp bargain. The same thing is practiced when under the force of necessity unlawful interest is exacted or property is bought under price because one is obliged to sell. To get rich at the expense of another is to practice Jacob's sin. Modern competitive business methods to a decided extent are of this type. Let each one ask himself, "Is my name Jacob?" The end never justifies the means. God said, "The older shall serve the younger." It was his plan that Jacob should be at the head of the family, and God was able to bring about his own plans.