Home Group Study Questions // April 27th
History Session 13: Esau Sells His Birthright
Genesis 25:34 — 34 “Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.”
[Read Genesis 25]
- What similarities do you see in our story between the lives of Abraham and Sarah, and Isaac and Rebekah? What is Isaac praying for in verse 21? What does James 5:16 say about prayer?
- What do we learn about prayer in our story in Genesis 25? How might this apply to our lives?
- In verses 22-23, we learn that there was an issue with Rebekah’s pregnancy. What are we told? Why is this significant to our story?
- What were Esau and Jacob like when they grew up, according to verses 27 and 28? What do you suppose their personalities were like? How does this play into our story?
- In verses 29-34, we read of Esau and Jacob’s bargain for the family birthright. What is a birthright? Why is it such a big deal in Biblical culture?
- Why did Esau give up his birthright? Was it his to give away? In what way did Esau dishonor his father and dishonor that which is sacred by giving up his birthright? What are we told in verse 34? What does it mean that he despised the birthright?
- According to Hebrews 12:15-17, there was a spiritual component to Esau’s decision. Where was Esau’s heart in this matter according to Hebrews 12:15-17?
- Jacob also had personal struggles. What do we learn about Jacob’s trouble in Genesis 25?
- How might we apply this to our lives? How might we struggle with dishonoring that which is sacred? What are we willing to do to get what we want? Why did Jacob exploit his brother?
- Jacob did see the value of the birthright. Why should we see value in this birthright? What does Ephesians 1:4-5 say about our birthright in Christ Jesus? [Notice we are called sons. Why?]