GLEANINGS - GenesisSample

Sovereignty of God in the lives of Esau and Jacob

There is no clearer Genesis passage that teaches the glorious truth of God’s sovereign grace than the story of Jacob and Esau.

What was the significance of God choosing Jacob over Esau? It teaches us that His purpose of election stands. God shows that in salvation it is His choice that matters. God is sovereign over salvation as well as every other aspect of life. The principle that God established in the choice of Jacob over Esau carries over into the salvation of all who come to know Christ today as well.

God made his choice well before Jacob or Esau had done anything good or bad. God’s choice was unconditional. Jacob had not earned it in any way. God’s choice was based solely upon His will. But God is not going to bring condemnation upon an innocent Esau. Esau’s wickedness is what would bring judgment. God passed over Esau, not choosing him. Esau followed his own course in life, which was wicked. God’s anger rested upon this wicked man. The idea that God hated Esau is tied to the condemnation that God will have on those who live wickedly.

When Esau saw that Jacob was the chosen one, he did everything to show his displeasure and lived a wicked life. On the other hand, when Jacob saw that he was the chosen one, he did everything to manipulate to get the blessing till God brought him to a place of surrender and he came to an end of himself and acknowledged his dependence on God alone. God can use you to accomplish great things for his glory if you let him take control of your life. Don’t struggle to the point where your hip socket is wrenched. Let God do what he does best and be his willing vessel.

God’s sovereign choice is inclusive rather than exclusive. God’s sovereign plan includes everyone concerning salvation; we may exclude ourselves from his plan. The Jews believed they were God’s chosen people, and they were. However, God’s choosing the Jews in no way excluded the rest of the world in regard to salvation. Neither did God’s choosing guarantee the salvation of every Jew. The difficult thing to understand about God’s sovereign choice is that it leaves us with a personal choice. God can use any individual to accomplish his sovereign will while giving that person a personal choice to obey or disobey.

God’s sovereignty and human responsibility are like two ropes going through two holes in the ceiling and over a pulley above. If I wish to support myself with them, I must cling to them both. If I cling only to one and not the other, I go down.

This is God’s sovereign plan for everyone today, but it is also a personal choice, which only you can make.

APPLICATION QUESTION:

Have you ever been deceived or taken advantage of by someone else? How did you handle it? If there is an issue in your life that is unfair, how are you dealing with it? Have you forgiven those who have wronged you? Go before the Lord and be honest with Him. Ask Him for the grace to accept His sovereignty in your life.

QUOTE:

To the one who delights in the sovereignty of God the clouds not only have a 'silver lining' but they are silver all through, the darkness only serves to offset the light! Arthur W. Pink

PRAYER:

Lord, I thank You for helping me to understand the balance between Your sovereignty and my choice. Help me to make the right choices each day. Amen