Stay Hungry Part 1

TALK-IT-OUT

Go through each main point and scripture from the message and use the corresponding questions in discussion with your group. Encourage your group to pull this post up on their own device to follow along.

Main Scripture: Genesis 25:29-34 (NIV)
Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished.

He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!”

Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”

“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”

But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.

Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.

Opening Question: What stands out to you about this event in scripture? OR what questions do you have about this scripture?

Introduction to the Book of Genesis: Genesis and the other “books of Moses” (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) introduce the continuous story of Israel running through the first quarter of the Bible. Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses, the one who led the people of Israel out of Egypt. Genesis explains how one nation comes to have a special role in God’s plan for all of humanity. Early on, the order and harmony of God’s good creation are overwhelmed by the destructive consequences of human rebellion and pride. The violence, injustice, and suffering that follow lead God to condemn and restrain human wickedness through the judgment of the great flood. God then makes a covenant with Abraham and his descendants, providing an ongoing framework for the story. The family of Abraham—Israel—will be God’s chosen means to bring the nations back to himself. Genesis closes with Abraham’s descendants having grown into a league of large tribes, but they are not in the land God has promised them. So the story leads naturally into the books that follow.
The book is divided into twelve parts by eleven repetitions of the phrase this is the account of. Each section is about the life and family of the person named. These are woven together to document the story of human history and the beginning of God’s plan to restore humanity and their place in His world through Israel.

TALK-IT-OUT: Do the actions of Jacob and Esau in this scripture surprise you?

Scripture Context: This particular scripture begins the narrative of Jacob (later to be known as Israel). He eventually becomes the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. However, Esau and Jacob are twins, with Esau being born first. In fact when they were born, it is written that Jacob was grabbing the heel of Esau, which foreshadows Jacob's insatiable hunger to be the first and greatest, which follows him throughout his life. The advantages of being the first-born in their culture included their birthright. Most likely the birthright included authority and superiority over the rest of the family, a double portion of the paternal inheritance, and a special spiritual blessing from the father. Part of this blessing and inheritance would include the promises and covenant that God gave Abraham so many years before. It is important to note that Esau's willingness to give up his birthright indicates an unchecked appetite, but also a lack of faith that God's promises that were originally given to Abraham would actually manifest. On the other hand, while Jacob is very wrong to have refused his brother food in a time where he was in need, it is understandable why he would have desired the birthright knowing the vastness of God's original promises to Abraham. . 

TALK-IT-OUT: Why do you think Esau gave up his birthright?

POINT: Hunger is a physical need. Appetite is a desire or want. 

Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. 

TALK-IT-OUT: Have you ever made a poor choice, because your appetite was too big?

TALK-IT-OUT: What do you want to have an appetite for in life?

TALK-IT-OUT: What are some practical things you need to do or change in order to pursue the promises of God in your life?