COVETOUSNESS: Lesson 8–Ahaz

Posted on by BETH

Ahaz, who is also called Achaz in Matthew 1:9, was king of Judah and son of Jotham.  Little if anything good is said about him either in the books of the Kings or the Chronicles.  Although only twenty when he ascended to the throne (2 Kings 16:2), Ahaz seems to have immediately opposed the teachings of the Mosaic Law. His first acts as king were to sacrifice in the high places, make molten images of Balaam and to revive the worship of Moloch in the valley of Hinnom (2 Chron. 28:2-3). According to 2 Kings 16:3, he made his own son “pass through the fire.”  The inspired writer of 1 & 2 Chronicles asserts quite strongly: he “burnt his children in the fire” (2 Chron. 28:3).

Demonstrating his mixed faith, Ahaz attempted many ways to get help from someone or something.  His contradictory actions were manifested when he duplicated the Damascus altar on which he burned incense, while at the same time desiring God’s help by offering incense on the brass altar, which had been in front of the house of the Lord (2 Kings 16:15).  Because he coveted the king of Assyria’s help, he sought it by altering the king’s entry to the temple of God to open a way for the king of Assyria to enter his own house (2 Kings 16:18).  This was a direct insult to God.  Although Ahaz desired to have the Lord’s answers to his enquiries, he insulted Him by taking the brass laver from the twelve oxen on which Solomon had set it and placing it on a pavement of stones.

Our focus for this lesson is the fact that Ahaz coveted the altar of a heathen nation, a nation which he had conquered (2 Kings 16:9-20), and even required Urijah the priest to build one like it before the temple in Jerusalem (2 Kings 16:10).  From that time on, Ahaz worshipped at the new altar every evening.  Either he ignored God’s warning in the Law given through Moses, or like some of us today, he had not studied enough to know what God required.

Deut 12:29-32—When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Nevertheless, God showed His marvelous love and patience by trying to bring Ahaz to repentance through the prophet Isaiah.  Using Isaiah, God offered to give Ahaz a sign (miracle), but Ahaz refused the offer.  Although God announced the promised Savior to Ahaz (Isa 7:10-17), and tried to work with him, he would not listen.  Ahaz would not turn to God and trust Him for deliverance from his enemies.  Instead, he coveted man’s help as well as the help of dumb idols so that he became more and more involved in idolatry day by day.  Ultimately Ahaz was destroyed spiritually and Judah was conquered by enemy nations.  At his death, Ahaz was buried but not in the royal tombs (2 Chron. 28:27).

QUESTIONS:

1.What was Ahaz trying to do when he took materials from the temple and from the houses of royalty to give to the king of Assyria (2 Chron. 28:21)?

2.When did Ahaz trespass more and more (2 Chron. 28:22)?  What should he have done?

3.What is ironic about the fact that Ahaz sacrificed to the gods of Damascus (2 Chron. 28:23)?

4.What did Ahaz do to the holy vessels of the House of the Lord (2 Chron. 28:24-25)?

5.How did Ahaz disobey the Lord’s command in Jeremiah 10:2?

6.What do the heathen do (Jer. 10:3-5)?

7.How was Psalm 106:39-43 relevant to the life and death of Ahaz?

8.What did Ahaz do that was described in Ezekiel 43:8?

9.Romans 1:28-29 describes symptoms of sin which God has given a kind of people over to.  What sin listed in that group was Ahaz particularly guilty of?

10.What causes God to give up and turn Satan loose on some people (Rom. 1:28)?

11.What are we supposed to do according to Colossians 3:5?

12.By what are we not redeemed (1 Pet. 1:18-19)?  By what are we redeemed?

COVETOUSNESS: Lesson 7– GEHAZI COVETED CLOTHING AND MONEY

Posted on by BETH

“He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes” (Eccl. 5:10-11)?

“And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man (Mark 7:20-23).

2 Kings 5:20-27

20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.

21 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?

22 And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.

23 And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.

24 And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.

25 But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.

26 And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.

 

QUESTIONS:

1.We can’t really tell what was in Naaman’s mind when he first went to the king instead of the prophet as the little servant girl had suggested, but notice how Elisha responds to Naaman’s visit in 2 Kings 5:10-11.  Compare Elisha’s reaction to Jesus’ and Paul’s response to those who exalt themselves (Matt. 22:15-17; Mark 12:13-14; Luke 20:20-22; Gal. 2:5).

2.Pride is sinful, but just how odious is covetousness to our Heavenly Father?  From where do these evil things come (Mark 7:20-23)?

3.In ancient times, what gifts were usually given to show honor and favor (2 Kings 5:5; Gen. 41:42; Est. 6:8; Dan. 5:7)? Would Gehazi qualify in any way to receive such gifts?

4.What was in Gehazi’s mind as he ran after Naaman to take something from him (2 Kings 5:20)?

5.What was Gehazi’s lie that would cause Naaman to give him what had been intended for Elisha (2 Kings 5:22)?

6.Many prophets accepted gifts for prophecies given or miracles performed, (1 Sam. 9:7-8; 1 Kings 14:3).  Was Elisha covetous of Naaman’s gifts (2 Kings 5:16; Acts 8:20)?

7.What “blessing” (gift) had Naaman offered to Elisha (2 Kings 5:5; 15-16)? 

8.How much did Gehazi ask from Naaman (2 Kings 5:22)?  

9.Why did he only asked that much?

10.How heavy was the silver which Naaman gave to Gehazi?  How many men did it take to carry it (2 Kings 5:23)?

11.Summarize the rebuke given by Elisha.  What was the extent of the sin committed by Gehazi (2 Kings 5:26)?

12.What was Gehazi’s punishment for his covetous deed (2 Kings 5:27)?

COVETOUSNESS: Lesson 6 Ahab

Posted on by BETH

(1 Kings 21:1-29; 2 Kings 9:25-26)

Ahab was the son of Omri and the seventh king of Israel (1 Kings 16:30), who cemented a political friendship between Israel and Phoenicia with his marriage to Jezebel.  Jezebel was the nefariously wicked daughter of Ethbaal (worshipper of Baal), king of the Sidonians (1 Kings 16:31).  Ahab’s conversion to his wife’s false religion soon led to many immoral acts in every facet of his life.

From the window of his summer palace, Ahab could see a lovely vineyard as he viewed the landscape.  He pondered how convenient it would be to turn that into a vegetable garden next door to his palace and decided to purchase it.  To this point, Ahab’s covetousness did not pass the normal boundaries accepted by most men; however, when his offer was rejected his covetousness took full control of him.  Imagine a king pouting and refusing to eat because he could not have his heart’s desire.  Even yet, his covetousness appeared harmless enough to outsiders.  When Jezebel promised to procure the vineyard for him and took his ring, he was passively in agreement to whatever method she might use to get the land.  After she had finished her job, instead of taking action against her for dishonesty and murder, he resolutely went to put his name on the stolen property.  It appears that he had absolutely no remorse for the corrupt judgment or the murders he caused as long as he could possess what his avarice demanded.  When it came to dealing with Naboth, Ahab’s covetousness sprang from a greedy self-centeredness and an arrogant disregard of God’s law. Truly greed can make a very hard heart.

On the other hand, Jezebel had neither religious scruples nor any regard for the established government of Israel (Lev 25:23-34).  She had Naboth tried unjustly and killed so that Ahab could take over his property (1 Kings 21:1-16). Jezebel bribed two mercenaries to bear false witness against Naboth and testify they heard him blaspheme God and the king. As a result of their lies, Naboth was found guilty; and both he and his sons were stoned to death (2 Kings 9:26). Elijah the prophet pronounced God’s judgment against Ahab and his house for this horrible act of false witness and murder (1 Kings 21; 2 Kings 9:21-26).

Naboth, the object of the crime, was an Israelite of Jezreel who owned a vineyard next to the summer palace of Ahab, king of Samaria (1 Kings 21:1). Ahab offered Naboth the worth of his vineyard in money or a better vineyard, but Naboth refused to part with his property, explaining that it was a family inheritance to be passed on to his descendants.  Had Naboth deeply considered the laws regarding property, he might have understood that the land would be returned to him or to his heirs in the year of Jubilee. The concept of the sacred birthright probably accounted for Naboth’s refusal to sell his vineyard to King Ahab. He answered, “The Lord forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!” (1 Kings 21:3).

QUESTIONS:

1.Ahab was king and Naboth was his subject.  What kind of strain would that put on Naboth when Ahab demanded his vineyard (1 Kings 21:1-3)?

2.Ahab had an intense desire to possess something that belonged to another man.  The Law of Moses prohibited that attitude (Exod. 20:17; Deut. 5:21). What did Ahab reason in his heart about the imagined need for such a garden?

3.Why did he desire (covet) Naboth’s property (1 Kings 21:1-2)?

4.Did Ahab’s offer to buy or trade seem reasonable if there had been no law against it?

5.What was Ahab’s reaction to the answer Naboth gave him (1 Kings 21:3-4)?

6.Pouting, sullenness and depression seem to be childish behaviors.  Was it a harmless matter for Ahab to dwell on his disappointment and become depressed and morose about not getting what he wanted (1 Tim. 4:7; 2 Pet. 2:14-15; Matt. 6:21; Luke 12:34)?

7.Who came to Ahab’s “rescue” (1 Kings 21:5-7)?

8.What was Jezebel’s plan for taking the vineyard by force (1 Kings 21:8-10)?

9.Relate the events of Naboth’s unjust judgment (1 Kings 21:11-13).

10.Was Naboth the only one who died that day (2 Kings 9:25-26)?

11.Why would it be necessary (in Ahab’s eyes) to kill the sons of Naboth?  This answer is partly based on the research in question #18.

12.After Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, what did he do (1 Kings 21:14-16)?

13.Which prophet went to meet Ahab there (1 Kings 21:17-18)?

14.What was the message God had told the prophet to give Ahab (1 Kings 21:19, 21-24)?

15.What was Ahab’s temporary reaction to this message (1 Kings 21:27)?

16.As a result, what was God’s reaction to Ahab (1 Kings 21:28-29)?

17.In spite of the apparent repentance, what does God say about Ahab’s character (1 Kings 21:25-26)?

18.RESEARCH QUESTION: 

The following ideas have to do with possession of property under the Law of Moses.  This is pertinent for understanding Naboth’s answer to Ahab and for understanding what happened to Naboth’s sons at the same time (2 Kings 9:26).

•Why might Naboth not want to sell his vineyard (Num. 36:7; Ezek. 46:18)?

•Using Leviticus 25:1-55, answer the following questions:

     * How do you know that fields could be redeemed by the original owner within a year or, if not then, in the year of Jubilee?

     * Who could the Israelites NOT sell their lands to?  Why?

•In the account found in Numbers 27 and Numbers 36, who received the inheritance of their father?  What would happen if they married within another tribe (Num. 27:7; Num. 36)?

•By implication, who usually received the inheritance (You may also search keywords birthright or firstborn.)?

•When there was no heir, who inherited?  Give the line of succession.

•Who were daughters to marry (Num. 36:3-13; Deut. 7:1-4)?

•By implication, who would sons of the tribes marry?

•What was to be the inheritance of the tribe of Levi (Num. 18; Num. 35; Deut. 10:9; 18:1)?

•What was the situation surrounding Ruth’s inheritance and why the nearest of kin could not take possession of it when Boaz gave him the chance (Ruth 4:5)?

COVETOUSNESS: Lesson 5–Pharaoh and the Egyptians

Posted on by BETH

Lesson 5—Pharaoh and the Egyptians

The Pharaoh was probably the most important person in Egyptian society. The Egyptians believed he was a god and the key to the nation’s relationship to the cosmic gods of the universe. While the Pharaoh ruled, he was the Son of Ra, the sun god, and the incarnation of the god Horus. He came from the gods with the divine responsibility to rule the land for them. His word was law, and he owned everything. Thus there were no law codes, because the king upheld order and justice and insured the stability of society.

When the Pharaoh died, he became the god Osiris, the ruler of the underworld and those who live after death. The Pharaoh was the head of the army as well as a central figure in the nation’s religious life. As an intermediator between gods and men, the Pharaoh functioned as a high priest in the many temples in Egypt. Because the Egyptian people believed their fate was dependent on that of the Pharaoh, they seldom attempted to overthrow the government, although some pharaohs were very cruel.

(from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

The Pharaohs were among the richest and most powerful rulers who ever lived but such great wealth and power did not preclude covetousness!  The Egyptian Princes recommended Sarai to the first Pharaoh who immediately took her to his house.  It made no difference that he could have had any of the Egyptian women, but he coveted a defenseless foreigner (Gen. 12:14-15).  Abraham knew the power of their covetousness and that they would murder to attain their desires.  In this lesson, whether or not Abraham did wrong by affirming that Sarai was his sister is not the point.  The point is that the Egyptian’s and Pharaoh’s greed was so powerful that nothing could stop them from attainting their goal.  God stopped Pharaoh from taking Sarah as his own wife by sending a plague (Gen 12:10-20). When Pharaoh saw that God forbade him from keeping his newly acquired foreign possession he sent Sarai and Abraham away (Gen 12:19-20).

Although some modern researchers have contested the previous findings, the second Pharaoh we read about in scripture, the one who dealt with Joseph and his family, appears to have come from a group that was generally known as the Hyksos (light skinned, Arian) kings.  Only about 200 years after Abraham, a man called Potiphar, officer of the second Pharaoh, cast Joseph into prison, when his wife falsely accused Joseph of evil behavior.  Potiphar’s wife had coveted Joseph’s love, but when Joseph remained faithful to the Lord, her covetousness gave way to vehement hatred and lies (Gen. 39).  Once Joseph was vindicated and had interpreted the terrible dream, the second Pharaoh displayed great affection for Joseph and made him ruler over everything.  Because the seven years of famine were so severe, the Egyptians were willing to trade their cattle, their property and eventually even themselves in order to buy grain.  Even though Joseph did not receive any personal benefit, the second Pharaoh came to own everything through Joseph’s system of taking money and possessions from the Egyptians when he sold them food in the famine (Gen. 47:13-20).  When the brothers of Joseph came from Canaan to buy grain, Joseph persuaded his father and them to settle in Egypt where food was readily available.  Pharaoh gladly sent carts to bring Joseph’s brothers and father (Gen 45:16-20) and gave them the fertile land of Goshen (Gen 47:1-6), also called Rameses (Gen. 47:11).

More than 300 years after Joseph’s generation, there rose up another Pharaoh who did not know what Joseph had done to save Egypt from the famine (Exod. 5:1-2).  The third Pharaoh had a different attitude altogether.  This attitude was manifested in the enslavement and torture of the children of Israel.  Pharaoh and the Egyptian rulers coveted the power the Lord gave the Israelites, and yet feared that their numbers would put them in control of the Egyptian nation (Exod. 1:8).  Rationalizing that Israel might rebel and conquer Egypt, they enslaved all but Moses, who had been raised in the Pharaoh’s own house (Exod. 1:11-2:10; Exod. 5:5-6; Acts 7:21-22).  Seeing the cruelty of the Egyptians to his own people, Moses slew an Egyptian overseer and was forced to flee for his life.  At the age of eighty, Moses returned from the land of Midian by God’s command to take his people out of bondage and into the Promised Land.

This third Pharaoh did not know nor accept the God of the Israelites and refused to obey His voice (Exod. 5:1-2).  He and the rulers of Egypt feared the Israelites’ power, but still coveted their labor and the produce from the land which the former Pharaoh had given them.  Instead of letting them remain under ordinary slavery, they put them under cruel bondage with unbelievable laws to keep them from multiplying further.  The miracles and the plagues shown by Moses and Aaron did not persuade Pharaoh to let the coveted slaves go because his heart grew harder day after day (Exod. 4:21, 7:3, 14:4, 17); however, each plague was carried out so the Israelites, the Egyptians, and Pharaoh himself would know that Israel’s God was the only true God (Exo. 7:5, 17; Exo. 8:10, 22; Exo. 9:14, 29-30; Exo. 10:2) and that Pharaoh was no god at all.

QUESTIONS:

1. Psalm 105:1-2 begins with this exhortation: “O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.  Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.”  What “wondrous works” of God are recounted in verses 16-38?

2. From which dynasty or kingdom does the Pharaoh spoken about in Genesis 12:15-20 come?  How does he demonstrate covetousness?

3. What does Potiphar’s wife covet (Gen. 39:1-20)?

4. After two years, Pharaoh dreamed a dream he could not understand.  Summarize that dream and what Joseph, by God’s revelation, said it meant (Gen. 41).

5. What honor did Pharaoh bestow upon Joseph (Gen. 41:45-46; Acts 7:10)?

6. When the Egyptians cried to Pharaoh for food, what did he tell them to do (Gen. 41:55)?

7. What did Joseph suggest each family should “lay up in store” each year for the seven years (Gen. 41:34-35)?

8. How did the Pharaoh respond to the idea Joseph suggested (Gen. 41:41-44)?

9. How did Pharaoh come to own everything in Egypt (Genesis 47:19-20)?

10. What law was made that fed the people but still brought income to Pharoah (Gen. 47:22-24, 26)?  See if you can find any information about a similar contract made with renters of farm land or “share croppers” during the early years of the USA?

11. When Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy grain, were they able to pay with money (Gen. 42:25-28)?

12. At the time Pharaoh invited Jacob and his sons and their families to come to Egypt, how did Joseph plan to secure the land of Goshen for them (Gen. 46:33-34; Gen. 47:2-4, 11)?

13. How many years later did the third dynasty of Pharaohs make new edicts (Exod. 1:11; Exod. 1:22)?  What was their reasoning behind the cruel laws?

14. Instead of repenting of his evil, covetous heart, what did the last Pharaoh determine to do to his slaves (Exod. 5:10)?

15. RESEARCH QUESTION: We often read of God hardening Pharoah’s heart, and some have questioned God’s judgment in this.

a. Study the account of the plagues and see how many times Pharaoh hardened his own heart.

b. What caused God to give up on Pharaoh and determine to destroy him and the Egyptian nation?

c. When God finally gave up on Pharaoh, how did he determine to use him for the sake of the people (Rom. 9:17)?

COVETOUSNESS: Lesson 4-Esau Coveted Food

Posted on by BETH

COVETOUSNESS

Lesson 4: Esau Coveted Food

 

“Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.  For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears” (Heb. 12:16-17).

 

The son of Isaac and Rebekah, Esau was also the twin brother of Jacob. In later life, he was known as Edom, the ancestor of the Edomites (Gen. 25:24-28; Deut. 2:4-8).  His name was given because of the hairy covering on his body at birth: “all over like a hairy garment” (Gen. 25:25). The relationship Esau’s descendants had to those of Jacob was prophesied before the twins were born (Gen. 25:23). Even the moment of Esau’s birth signaled the same destiny (Gen. 25:26).

Scriptural accounts of Esau draw a great contrast between him and his brother Jacob. Esau was a rough, hairy man and a cunning hunter favored by Isaac, while Jacob was a plain man dwelling in tents and favored by Rebekah (Gen. 25:27-28).  Even though he was a twin, Esau was considered to be the eldest son because he was born first. The firstborn was expected to become head of the family, and take charge of the family property.  Naturally he was responsible for the maintenance of the younger sons, the widows, and the unmarried daughters not only as their provider and overseer, but also as their spiritual leader. Furthermore, he generally received the blessing, which placed him in a favored position with the Heavenly Father.

Esau sinned greatly by treating his birthright so casually and selling it for a meal.  In a foolish, impulsive moment, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob in exchange for “bread and pottage of lentils” (Gen. 25:29-34). Later we see he also lost the benefit of his father’s blessing (Gen. 27:36) —two things virtually guaranteed the first born son in ancient oriental culture as well as in the Old Testament scriptures.

After Israel (Jacob’s descendants) became a nation, we see the birthright included a double portion of the father’s assets upon his death (Deut. 21:17).  The inheritance rights of the firstborn were protected by law, so the father could not give his benefits to a younger son (Deut. 21:15-17).  Birthrights and blessings were not the same.  The birthright carried with it the inheritance of property, while the blessing was an additional benefit which the patriarchs usually bestowed upon their children just before their own deaths (Gen. 49:1-28). Even if they spoke by mistake, once a blessing was given it could not be taken back (Gen. 27). 

PONDER THESE THOUGHTS:

Esau basically had his priorities wrong. Like the majority of the world’s population, he was simply living for the moment (1 Cor. 15:32). Unlike Moses who was willing to forsake the temporary pleasures of Egypt for a far greater eternal reward (Heb. 11:24-27), Esau wanted the temporary pleasure of a satisfied appetite.

Esau said, “Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me” (Gen. 25:32)?  He gave no thought to the consequences of his actions. His decision was illogical, foolish and wicked. The scriptures describe him as being a godless (profane) man (Heb. 12:16-17). We need to learn from him and think very carefully about the consequences of our own choices and decisions. “When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite” (Prov. 23:1-2).  “For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags” (Prov. 23:21).

The temporary pleasure of a satisfied appetite has brought many a person to ruin (Prov. 5:3-6). The will of the Father in Heaven; spiritual desires (not the fleshly), the Lord’s church; the righteous commandments of God must come first (Matt. 6:33; Gal. 5:16-24; Psa. 119:172). Esau learned this lesson too late—which is also another lesson for us (Heb. 12:17).  Sometimes the damage can’t be undone. 

The birthright for the oldest child was a special gift from God that he did not give to any but the firstborn. In relation to Christ, God’s firstborn, He showed man that He valued the firstborn above the others. We know how we respond when we offer a very special gift to someone, and they treat it like trash. God offered a very special gift to Esau, but he did not respect nor value God’s special gift—he treated it as if it were less value than a meal. God did not respond positively to Esau’s scorning His special offering.

Figuratively speaking, the term firstborn stands for what is most excellent. This expression is applied to Jesus in several New Testament passages. All of them point to Jesus’ relationship to His Father and to the Church.  Showing that Christ existed before creation and actually participated in the creation process (John 1:3), He is described as the “firstborn over all creation” (Col. 1:15). His virgin birth is depicted by the expression, “brought forth her firstborn son” (Matt 1:25). The phrase, “firstborn from the dead” (Col. 1:18; Rev. 1:5), refers to Jesus’ resurrection, which assures every Christian they also will have the same resurrection if they obey Him faithfully, even unto death.

QUESTIONS:

1. By inspiration, the Hebrew writer tells what God thought of Esau for selling his birthright.  Give the phrase used and the scripture reference.

2. How often do we covet food to the detriment of our souls and our health too?

3. What was prophesied to be the relationship between Esau’s descendants had to those of his younger brother (Gen. 25:23)?

4. What sign was given as the twins were born that signaled that relationship (Gen. 25:26)?

5. RESEARCH QUESTION: Notice a strong comparison between the two brothers: “And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents” (Gen. 25:27).  What is the meaning of the word “plain” (Strong’s number 8535)?  How does this word affect our understanding of the character of Jacob when compared to that of his elder brother Esau?

6. Gen 25:28 says, “And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.”  Consider the prophecy given to Rachel (Gen. 25:22-23; along with Rom. 9:10-14) and tell which parent might have had some justification for showing favoritism?

7. After Esau realized he had lost both the birthright and the blessing, what did he determine to do (Gen. 27:41)?

8. How did Rebekah determine to save the life of Jacob (Gen. 27:42-45)?

9. What other foolish thing did Esau do to displease God and his parents (Gen. 28:6, 8-9).)?

10. After the meeting between Jacob and Esau more than 20 years later, where did Esau go to live (Gen. 33:12-17)?

11. Jacob and Esau met again (Gen. 35:29)?  What was the occasion?

12. How could a firstborn son lose his birthright (Gen. 25:29-34; Heb. 12:16; Gen. 35:22; 1 Chron. 5:1-2; 1 Chron. 26:10)?

13. Under the Law of Moses, if a man had two wives, and one was favored, could he give the birthright to the elder son of the favored wife (Deut. 21:15-17)?  Why would such a law have been necessary?

14. Give the account of when a different patriarch gave the blessing to a younger son (Gen. 48:13-14, 17-19)?

15. Name the ways Christ was firstborn (Luke 2:7; Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:15; Col. 1:18; Heb. 12:23), and tell how God should respond to those who love (covet) and serve mammon and reject the gift of his Son (Matt. 6:24; Luke 16:13)?