LESSON 15 - DESPISING THE BIRTHRIGHT.

April 14, 1888.

SIDE LIGHTS. - “Great Controversy,” Vol. 1, first part of Chap. 12.

  1. How old was Isaac when he was married? Gen. 25:20.
  2. How old was he when his two sons were born? Verse 26.
  3. What were their names?
  4. What difference was there between them? Verse 27.
  5. How did their parents regard them? Verse 28.
  6. What did Jacob have as Esau came in one day from a hunting trip? Verse 29.
  7. What did Esau say to Jacob? Verse 30.
  8. What did Jacob reply? Verse 31.
  9. How did Esau reason concerning his birthright? Verse 32.
  10. What transaction was thus made by the two brothers? Verses 33, 34.
  11. What was the birthright, and what was its importance to anyone?
  12. How did Esau regard his birthright? Gen. 25:34, last clause.
  13. How highly did he value it? Ans. - He considered it worth no more than a meal of victuals, to satisfy present necessity.
  14. What language is used concerning Esau for this proceeding? Heb. 12:16.
  15. How did he afterward feel concerning the blessings of his birthright? Verse 17.
  16. Relate, in brief, the circumstances. Gen . 27:1-40.
  17. Was he able to get back the birthright? Heb. 12:17.
  18. Why not? Ans. - Because he had deliberately sold it, and could not alter the trade.
  19. What is the exhortation given to us in this connection? Heb. 12:14-17.
  20. If we are children of Abraham, what is Our birthright? Rom. 4:13; Col. 1:12; 1 John 3:1, 2.
  21. Through what are we made heirs of this inheritance? Col. 1:13, 14.
  22. What does the Spirit through Paul say of one who despises his heavenly birthright? Heb. 10:28, 29.
  23. How may we do this? 2 Tim. 4:10.
  24. What can you say of the condition of one who deliberately barters his interest in the blood of Christ, and his hope of eternal life, for a little present enjoyment? Heb. 10:29-31.

NOTE.

The term “birthright” denotes the special privileges belonging to the first-born. Among these were, that he should have a double portion of the inheritance, and that he should succeed to whatever position was held by his father. Among the Jews the first-born was considered as especially devoted to God; and since the Jewish people were the chosen people of God, and the Jewish nation was the church of that time, it may justly be concluded that special spiritual blessings were considered as part of the birthright.

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