Samson's Bad Choices

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Samson's Bad Choices

OTS-6

May 24, 2022 • The Gospel of Christ

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“Those days there was no king over Israel. Every man did what was right in his own eyes,” Judges 21:25.
In the dark days of Judges, there is a man by the name of Samson who teaches us some lessons about life and how a person ought to approach God with the proper attitude. Welcome you today to our study of the Old Testament lessons.
In today's lesson we're thinking about one of the heroes, some people think of the heroes of the Old Testament, although Samson did end up being a hero, Samson made a lot of blunders along the way that we can learn from.
Samson is a man that in a lot of ways we can learn what not to do from his life. The Book of Judges is a dark time in Israel's history. There is this cycle in the Book of Judges where the people are right with God, everything is prospering and going well, and then they begin to want to be like the nations around them. They begin to go into idolatry. As a result, the heathen nations conquer them. They will finally come to their senses and call out to God. God will send them a deliverer or judge. He will defeat the enemies, and they will get back right with God. Multiple times throughout the Book that cycle occurs in the life of the people. It's mainly because as the statement says in Judges 21:25, "In those days, there was no king in Israel." Yes, God was still king, but they weren't letting Him be king in their life. "In those days, there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes."
Judges is the typical example of anarchy. Everybody is living the way they want to live, no law of God, no thought of God in their heart many times, and they're just living the way they want to live. As a result, dark days and trouble comes for the people of Israel.
Today we study about one judge by the name of Samson. Samson was a Nazarite from birth according to Judges 13. God specially selected and chose him to be a unique class of people known as a Nazarite. A Nazarite by its very nature was someone who was separated from normal life for the special purpose of God. Numbers 6:1, a Nazarite was to keep any type of juice, grape juice or strong drink, wasn't able to eat grapes; he was to keep that away from him. Numbers Chapter 6:1-4 teaches he was not to cut his hair. This was a sign of his separation and holiness to God according to Numbers 6:5. He was not to make himself unclean by touching a dead body or anything like onto that, not even if it was his own family, Numbers 6:6-7 says. And, of course, a Nazarite was to represent and be the epitome of holiness. That's the whole calling of the Nazarite according to Numbers 6:8.
Samson was very special, very unique, and a very great privilege and honor to be a Nazarite on behalf of God and God's people that we find in the scripture.
Now as you think about practical lessons, even that we can learn from the history of Samson as a Nazarite, there are several things that relate to the Christian. Should Christians be separated for God's purposes today? The word Nazire literally means separated. Christians are to be separated to the purposes of God. God says in 2 Corinthians 6:17, "Come out from among them and be ye separate," says the Lord. Yes, we are separated to be special and unique today. Paul said, "I beg you by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice. Holy and acceptable to God which is your reasonable service. Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed, changed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Christians are to seek first God's kingdom, Matthew 6:33 and we are not to be in love with the world, James 4:4. Like a Nazarite, Christians have to realize that some of the things that people put in their body in this life are not good for them. The Nazarite in the Old Testament was not to drink strong drink or things like that in his separation to God and Christians must realize that some of the things that people put in their body, that's not what
a Christian ought to be doing. Drugs, alcohol, and things like that are not going to help us to live a holy life. That's going to inebriate and cause us to weaken our morals. In 1 Peter 5:8, the Bible says this: "Be sober, be vigilant or watchful, and be alert for your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour." That word for sober in 1 Peter 5:8, W. E. Vine's Greek scholar says this: "It means to be free from the influence of any intoxicant." If I'm to be sober spiritually, friend, to do that, I can't be an inebriated spirit physically. I can't have something in my body that's going to weaken my morals and alertness.
Then, of course, as our lives today, as a Christina, there ought to be a sign of separation to God should there not? Just like the Nazarite represented when someone saw a Nazarite they represented someone who their life was separation to God. Our lives, the way we live, should indicate that we are separated to living for God. Matthew 5:16, Jesus said it this way: "Let your light so shine among men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." People ought to be able to look at Christians and see that we are God's own special people. Titus 2, verse 14 that we're trying to have the mind of Christ, Philippians 2:5 and that in everything we do, we're trying to bring glory and honor to almighty God. We also must realize as Christians today that just as if the Nazarite when he touched something that would be unclean, he could become unclean, friend, we need to realize today that there's something that makes Christian's unclean and that's sin.
Sin separates a man from God, Isaiah 59:1-2 and 2 Timothy 1:17. Thus, as God's people we need to be the epitome of trying to live a holy life. Be holy as He who called you is holy, 1 Peter 1:15. "Imitate me as I also imitate Christ," Paul would say in 1 Corinthians 1:11."Walk up in the footsteps of Jesus for without holiness no one can see God," Hebrews 12:14.
Now as you think about Samson let's realize some things in Samson's life that were his sins, and some things that got in the way of him really living that life that represented holiness. One of the things about Samson that stands out, as contrary to God's will is that Samson was very prideful, very self-willed and rebellious. Listen to Judges 14. This text clearly shows he was self-willed and he was out to get what he wanted. Judges 14:1: "Now Samson went down to Timnah and saw a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines. So he went up and told his
father and mother saying, 'I've seen a woman in Timnah of the daughters of the Philistines, now therefore get her for me as wife.' Then his father and mother said to him, 'Is there no woman among the daughters of your brethren or among all my people that you must go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines'? And Samson said to this father, 'Get her for me for she pleases me well.'"
When you think about a man who was rebellious and self-willed, that's Samson. God had already commanded His people, already warned His people on multiple occasions don't intermarry, and don't marry the heathens. They're going to pull you away from God; they're not going to help you to be more spiritual. Yet Samson sees this woman. His lust overtakes him; he says to his father and mother, ‘go get her for me.’ His dad says, ‘wait a minute, now, aren't there women among God's people you can? ... I don't care about any of them in that sense, she pleases me, go get her.’ What type of attitude is that that Samson had? Didn't matter what God wanted. Didn't matter what his parents wanted. Didn't really matter what was right. Samson wanted it; therefore, Samson thought he needed to have it. Too many people in this life are so headstrong that they don't stop and think about what's right. Someone once said strong heads are never really that strong. We need to have our will in line with the will of God. In the Bible, the scriptures teach us that we shouldn't be out to get what we want. We ought to be out to do what God wants us to do. In fact, the Bible says in Titus 1:7 that elders in the Lord's church are not to be self-willed. That is, it's not what we think; it's not our way. It's not what we want; elders ought to be in line with God's will. They want to do what God wants for the church, for His plan and for his mission.
If you get somebody in who's self-willed and has to have it his way, friend, that's not going to work in the Lord's church. Christians ought not to be self-centered but Christ-centered. Mark 12:30, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength." God needs to come first in our decisions. Not what I want, not what I think, not what's best for me or how I can live this pleasure out in this life. What does God want me to do? That's the real question that we need to be asking. We need to remember that according to Saul, rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. God does not look lightly on rebellion, and Samson epitomizes that here in this context.
When you think about Samson also, let's realize as we look at Samson's life and we think about the things he did, friend, realize this: Samson instead of listening to his parents, Samson gave into his lust instead of what his parents tried to teach and instruct him to do. Many people today, if we're not careful, especially young people, can do the same thing. He saw a beautiful woman, like David, who saw beautiful Bathsheba bathing, his lust overtook him, he got caught up in relations he shouldn't have and his whole family was affected by it.
Young people, realize today that your lust and your passions must not control what you do in this life. Christians are taught to flee, 2 Timothy 2:22, "Flee youthful lust and rather pursue the things of God. Rightenous, holiness, good living, things liken onto that."
Samson ultimately goes on to violate God's law as it relates to things he does in his life. Judges Chapter 14 he is in clear violation of the will of God. Judges 14:5: "So Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Now to his surprise a young lion came roaring against him and the spirit of the Lord came idly upon him, he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat though he had nothing in his hand. He did not tell his father and mother what he had done. Then he went down and talked with the woman and she pleased Samson well. After some time, when he returned to get her, he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion and behold, a swarm of bees and honey were in the carcass of the lion. He took some of it in his hands and went along eating. When he came to his father and mother, he gave some to them and they also ate, but he did not tell them he had taken the honey in the carcass of the lion."
Here again you see Samson bent on doing whatever he wants to do. Going to get that woman of the Philistines, who he shouldn’t, had. Then along the way God's still trying to work through him. This lion comes and he rips the lion apart. A little while later he sees the dead lion's carcass, honey in it, and, again, his passion and his desire overtakes him. Although he shouldn't have touched the dead carcass, although that would make him unclean according to the old law and would be a violation of God's will- he went and did it anyway. Saw that honey, knew it would taste good. His passion, his desire is overtaking him again and he goes and takes it. Even gives some to his parents. Friend, by the taking the honey out of the lion's carcass, Samson made himself unclean. Leviticus 11:27, they were not to
touch a dead carcass. We've got to realize today, while we live under a law of God today, those who break God's law, they also become unclean when we don't follow its teachings.
Samson didn't listen to God. He went against the teaching of God and as a result he became unclean when he should have epitomized holiness. Like Samson, we're under God's law today. That law is the law of price. Galatians 6:2, James 1:25, it is the perfect law of liberty. When we go against God's law, we also stop living holy lives and we separate ourselves from almighty God. Isaiah 59:1-2, the Lord's ears is not heavy that he cannot hear his arms are not short that he cannot save, but our sins and our iniquities separate us from God. Roman 6:23 says the wages of sin, the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, but the wages of sin is death. Samson became unclean and when men and women today don't follow God's law, they also become unclean.
Another powerful lesson that we learn from the life of Samson is that too many times in Samson's life he gave into peer pressure. Judges 14:10-20, we find an example of him giving into the peer pressure there. "So his father went down to the woman and Samson gave a feast there for young men used to do so. It happened when they saw him that they brought 30 companions to be with him. Then Samson said to them, 'Let me pose a riddle to you. If you can correctly solve and explain it to me within the seven days of the feast, then I will give you 30 linen garments and 30 changes of clothing. But if you cannot explain it to me, then you shall give me 30 linen garments and 30 changes of clothing.’ “So they said to him, 'Pose your riddle so that we may hear it.' So he said to them, 'Out of the eater came something to eat, out of the strong came something sweet.'" Now for three days they could not explain the riddle. But it came to pass on the seventh day that they said to Samson's wife, 'Entice your husband that he may explain the riddle to us or else we will burn you and your father's house with fire. Have you invited us in order to take what is ours? Is that not so’?” Then Samson's wife wept on him and said, 'You only hate me, you do not love me, you posed a riddle to the sons of my people, but you have not even explained it to me.' He said to her, 'Look, I have not explained it to my father or my mother, so should I explain it to you?'" “Now she wept on him the seven days while their feast lasted. It happened on the seventh day that he told her because she pressed him so much. Then she explained the riddle to the sons of the people.”
When you think about Samson here and his wife, who God didn't want him to take in the first place; peer pressure began to work on him. She wasn't a godly person and she began to work against Samson in so many ways. Today, if we're not careful, like Samson, peer pressure can cause people to do things they really shouldn't do. Many young people with good morals, good family bringing, raised to know the Lord and follow his teaching, have given in to peer pressure over time to do things that are not right. Whether that be to smoke or to drink or do drugs or be involved in sexual relations before that's right. Things that you know are not right. Sometimes if you get around the wrong people, that's going to influence you for evil.1 Corinthians 15:30-33. The Bible says this: "Evil companions corrupt good morals." We need to realize we've got to let God's word guide us and not let people of the world lead us down a path we ought not to go. How many people have maybe been in a party or been around other people and they wouldn't even think about drinking alcohol and yet when you get around other people and they're doing it and it looks cool and you're not one of the cool ones. You think, well, I've got to do this. Maybe we shouldn't have been around those people to begin with. Those people aren't going to help us to get more God-like in every way. Samson is a man who eventually will give in to worldly concepts rather than Biblical teaching.
Today we must not be like Samson, but rather we want to be like Christ. It's not what the world wants and the mold the world wants to shape us into that matters. Its how does Christ want me to live? Hebrews 4:15, Jesus was tempted at all points as we are, yet without sin. The Bible teaches us, according to 1 Peter 2:21-22, that we've got to follow the teaching of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Now as you will study the life of Samson, Samson goes on to do some things that are pretty good. He'll fight some battles, God will work through him, but he also will eventually give into his wife again. She'll ask him, "Where's your strength? How is it you can do these things? How is it you can defeat the enemies?" Of course, he didn't want anybody to know his strength. His strength was given by God and it was in his long hair, but as you remember, she'll eventually entice him. She'll eventually tell his enemies his strength is in his hair. Now you listen to this, Samson, who was strong and powerful, who at one time the spirit of God wonderfully worked in, when she tells his secret, and they cut his hair. Think of this image of Samson. This is what you need to remember from going to being a Nazarite and a powerful man, Samson gets his hair cut, his eyes are
poked out, gouged out, and he's in the dungeon, working as it were, on a grist mill maybe you might think of and he is basically at the bottom of the barrel of these things.
Why did Samson allow those things to happen in his life and what caused that for God? Here's what happened, Samson began to listen to other voices besides God and as a result he ends up in the dungeon, blind without his hair. Now God's going to allow his hair to grow back, that hair begins to grow back and you remember Samson's strength comes back. Samson is going to do one last valiant thing for God of which he is probably most well known for. As you remember in the Book of Judges, toward the end of Samson's life, as his hair begins to grow back and as he begins to receive that strength from God again, he's blind; so he really can't see what he's doing. During this time the heathen nations are having a feast or a celebration and all the rulers are there. It's a two story building you might think of and up above is where everybody is partying at. So they're honoring them and their gods and living in luxury and Samson in one final act of revenge and desire to please God, he has somebody take his hands, put those hands against the main pillars in that building and with all of his might and strength he pushes. That whole building, with all those ungodly adulteress people, comes crashing down on Samson. In one last act of self-sacrifice, his life brings honor and glory to God as he was called to do. But think about this: Look at what it cost Samson. Think about if he had just learned his lesson earlier. He had to sacrifice himself in the end to bring glory to God and die doing so?
What if he had chosen a woman from God's people? What if he had not touched those things that were unclean? What if the peer pressure hadn't affected Samson like it did? What if he hadn't have been so prideful and self-willed and had such a great desire to please himself over God?
Friend, Samson's life could have turned out a lot better than did. Can you imagine as he's blind, with both of his hands on those columns, the things that must be flashing through his mind? Knowing that it's all about to come to an end. What if I'd only put God first? What if I hadn't been so prideful? What if everything I looked at I didn't have a desire and a lust for?
What if Samson had made those choices sooner in life? There are a lot of things in life that are going to tempt you- just as they tempted Samson. Those things are not going to help you. A lot of those things, the lust of
flesh, lust the eyes, the pride of life, 1 John 2:15-17, those things, although they may appeal to you, and although there may be a momentary impulse pleasure to them, realize, just like in Samson's life, those things are not going to help you to be a godly person. Oh, there's going to be attraction of the opposite sex. There's going to be desire for things of this world, pleasure and passion and things that will make you feel good in life. Friend, the thing we need to ask ourselves above all else is, ‘will this help me to honor God with my life?’
In Acts 4:13, it is said of the fishermen who followed Jesus, when they realized they were untrained and uneducated men, and then they realized they had been with Jesus. Friend, that's what matters in our life. Are we living our life according to the Bible? Remember the Bible says in Romans 12:2, "Do not be transformed to this world, but be renewed by the changing of your mind that you may prove what is a good and acceptable of will of the Lord." Don't let the world squeeze you in its mold. Rather you follow the mold of Christ. You follow the pattern of Christ in everything that He said and did. Friend, are you a child of God? Have you obeyed the teaching of the Lord initially?
The Lord tells us what we've got to do to be saved. In Romans 10:17, the Bible says, "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." I know I've got to have faith to be saved for in Hebrews 11:6 the Bible says, "Without faith it's impossible to please God." How do you get faith? By hearing the word of God. Have you heard the message of the Bible? That Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. That no man comes to the Father except by him, John 14:6.
If you've heard that message, then, friend, are you willing to commit your life to it? The Bible says in Acts 2:38-47, they heard that word and they responded by being pricked in their heart. They cried out, ‘men and brethren, what shall we do?’ They believed Jesus was the Christ, the son of the living God, Acts 2:36. Having believed that, are you willing to repent? Again, Acts 2:38 says ‘repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins.’ Having repented, turn from sin and turn to God- would you be willing to be baptized to get into God's kingdom? Jesus said, "Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water in the spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God." John 3:5. Then to live a life of holiness and separation of God would you walk in
newness of life every day being faithful onto death? Roman 6:4 and Revelation 2:10.
Our hope today in studying the life of Samson is that we can look at his life and we can learn not to do that. And in so doing, we'll be prepared to live our lives in such a way that they will truly magnify God in everything that we say that do.
May God help us to have that faith and to follow him every day.
Study Questions for:
“Old Testament Studies Lesson 6: Samson”
1. According to Judges 21:25, what were the times like during Samson’s life?
2. According to Judges 13:1-14, from birth, how was Samson raised to be?
3. According to Numbers 6, what were some of the things expected from a Nazirite?
4. According to 2 Corinthians 6:17, how are we to live?
5. According to Mathew 6:33, what are we to put first?
6. According to 1 Peter 5:8, why should we be sober and alert?
7. According to Matthew 5:16, how should we live?
8. According to Isaiah 59:12, what separates us from God?
9. What is the first and greatest commandment according to Mark 12:30?
10. According to 2 Timothy 2:22, what are we to flee from?

The Value of the Old Testament

May 24, 2022 • The Gospel of Christ

Nehemiah 8: Keys to Successful Restoration

May 24, 2022 • The Gospel of Christ

In the days of Israel, God had made a promise to His people that if they would not stop their idolatry; He was going to send them away into Babylonian captivity. In accordance with His promises, God did just that. He also promised to bring them out of that captivity into a wonderful restoration, based on the word of God. It's that restoration in Nehemiah chapter eight that we're going to be thinking about today that parallels what's necessary for a Christian and his life to be restored to almighty God. We want to encourage you to get your Bible, have it ready as we're going and open it to Nehemiah chapter eight as we're going to study this wonderful text, about the right heart that isn't necessary, for restoration with Almighty God. Let's turn our attention to the predicament that Israel finds itself in under the Old Testament. In Jeremiah Chapter 25 and in Jeremiah 29, God had made the promise to His people that if they did not amend their ways, if they did not stop their idolatry; God was going to send them into 70 years of harsh captivity under the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. Israel didn't stop, and as a result they went into harsh captivity. Along with the promise of captivity, God also made the promise and Isaiah 44:28 and Isaiah 45:1 that once that 70 years was up, God would bring His people out of that captivity. According to His promise, by the hand of Cyrus, in the year 536 God did just that. It is this process of coming back to God, began was Cyrus working through Ezra and Nehemiah. They restored worship; they restored the temple. They restore their hearts to a right place with God. In Nehemiah chapter eight, where we're going to be studying today, there are some ingredients or some steps that are necessary to getting our heart right and to be restored with God like we ought to. Think about your relationship, each of us to think about our relationship with God and let's make sure that we're in the right place and restored to where we need to be with Almighty God. If not, let's consider what this text teaches us is necessary. Look in your Bible in Nehemiah Chapter Eight. Nehemiah 8:1 says, ‘When the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities. Now all the people gathered together as one man, in the open square that was in front of the water gate and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Law of Moses which the Lord had commanded Israel.’ Here you've got such an important and necessary step. If we're going to have restoration, I've got to be united with God and His people. To have a restored heart to God, you've got to be one; you've got to be unified. You've got to want unity with God and His people. This is so practical and so fresh, on the mind of the Israelites because for years they had been divided, over spiritual matters. The kingdoms had been divided, the Northern Kingdom and its tribes and the Southern Kingdom and its tribes, and then you have a remnant that’s holding true to the scripture. You also have a whole bunch of adulterous people. They've been splintered and divided for a long time and yet the captivity helped them to realize, they needed to be one with each other and one with God. If restoration is really going to take place, God's people must have a heart for unity. We must want that oneness with others and that oneness that God can give us that unity that we can have with God. In the Bible God has always wanted His people to have unity. Listen to Psalm 133:1. The Psalmist says, ‘behold how good and how pleasant it is, for brethren to dwell together in unity.’ Does God want His people divided? No, God wants His people united. Did you think about the two words there that are used? Unity is both good and pleasant. There are some things that are good but aren't pleasant and then there's some things that are pleasant, but aren't good. Let me illustrate. There are some things that are good, meaning that they're good for you. One the doctor is good, getting the flu shot might be good but would you say that's pleasant? No, not really. Then there are some things that are pleasant, enjoyable but not necessarily beneficial. Candy for every meal, a chocolate pie for every meal might be pretty pleasant but is it good for you? No, now think about unity. Unity is good, beneficial, helpful, and pleasant. It's enjoyable. It's something every person should strive for in this life. We're told in Ephesians 4:3, to keep the unity of the spirit, spiritual unity and the bond of peace. 1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul came down hard on the church in Corinth because there were divisions among them. Paul said, ‘Let there be no divisions among you.’ What's so powerful about unity? Do we realize that there's great strength in unity? I want you to listen to a passage, in the book of Ecclesiastes that helps us to understand this idea. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 the Bible says, ‘Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor, for if they fall one will lift up his companion but woe to him who is alone when he falls. He has no one to help him up. Again if two lie down together, they will keep warm but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him and a threefold cord, is not quickly broken.’ I can understand the strength and unity based off these principles and these ideas. If you take just one pencil, it is pretty easy to break that one pencilbut if you take that pencil and you multiply it and let's say you had 10 pencils with a rubber band around it, it is very hard to break that. Why? There's strength and there's power in unity. There's strength in numbers and that unity creates strength. We can encourage, uplift, and help one another. Another powerful aspect of humanity is unity actually proves to the world that Jesus is the son of God. Jesus prayed for it in John 17:20-21. ‘I pray that they all may be one, as you Father are in Me and I you that they also may be one in us.’ Now listen to the reason: ‘that the world may believe that you sent me.’ What does unity express? Unity between believers in Christ, Christians, is a powerful exclamation point to Christianity itself, it proves to the world. We'll stand up and do what's right no matter what because Christ is truly our all in all. When we think about having biblical restoration and the idea there in of being restored to God correctly, we've got to be diligent to strive to possess spiritual unity. That comes from following the oneness that God has set in the scripture. There is one Lord, one faith, one body, one baptism, and one God and father above all. All the ones that are mentioned in Ephesians 4:4-6, are necessary if we're going to have unity. God wants us to in the scripture. I want to direct your attention to another ingredient that is necessary for biblical restoration found in Nehemiah 8:2-3.’ Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding, on the first day of the 7th month. Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Watergate, from morning until midday before the men and the women and those who can understand,’ listen to this, ‘and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.’ Friend what ingredient is necessary, for biblical restoration to take place? There has to be a desire for unity-unity with God's creation and unity with God. There also has to be an attentive heart to the Law of God. They told Ezra, ‘go get the Book of the Law.’ Ezra went and got a Book of the Law. He stood and read from it nearly all day and the people stood there with an attentive heart, attentive ear, and listened to the word of God. They didn’t listen to what was public opinion, not what was popular, and not what would make people feel good. They didn't poll the audience and ask them what they wanted. They said, ‘Where's the Book of God? We want to hear the book of God.’ When they found the Book of the Law, their ears perked up and listened to what God had to say. They had an attentive heart to the word of God. The Israelites were so attentive to the word of God because they had lacked that for so long. In that captivity, 70 years of harsh Babylonian captivity, where were the Bibles then? Where was the scripture then? Where was their freedom to open the scripture and study it and expound upon it and read from it? Under captivity, that was a scarce thing because of the lack of their ability to have God's word in their life for so long. The only way today that we're going to have a real attitude of attentiveness to the word of God, is when we realize the great value of God's word. Jeremiah said in Jeremiah 15:16, ‘your words were found and I did eat them and they were to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.’ Part of the problem that we face today in our, industrialized world with printing presses and books everywhere is that there's mass availability to the Bible and yet, we take for granted how powerful it is and how attentive we need to be to it. It's readily available. I've got the freedom to read it anytime I want and yet so many times we just don't. Do we take it for granted? What a treasure and privilege it is. The word of God is so important because it's what saves our souls. The Bible says in James 1:21 that we're to ‘receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save our soul.’ What's going to save, men and women from being lost for eternity? The scripture is. Let's think about how powerful, important, and attentive we need to be to the word of God because of its great value. Do we realize and do we remember that the Bible contains the words of life? Not just words of lifethe words of life that which can help us to be saved and live the best life. Jesus had made some hard statements in John 6:63. Some decided they didn't want to follow Jesus anymore. Jesus turned to Peter and the rest of the disciples and he said, ‘Do you want to go away also here's your chance? Do you want to go away also?’ Peter turned to the Lord and said ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’ John 6:68, the Bible has everything, all things for life and godliness. The word of God is able to completely equip us, for every good work, 2 Timothy 3:17. If you want to live the best life, you want to make sure that you're living in such a way, you can go to heaven. You want to live the full, complete, abundant life? The Bible contains the words of life. The Bible has the ability to edify us to build us up and help us to be closer to God. To the elders in Ephesus, Paul on the beach of Miletus says, ‘So now brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance.’ Among all those who are sanctified, are you going to be built up spiritually? You want to make sure that inheritance is yours and that you can grab hold of it and maintain it. It's the Bible that has the power to do that. We need an attentive heart to the word of God because it's God's word that helps us be convicted. We have sin in our life. None of us probably like to admit that or come face to face with it, but it's true. From time to time we all sin and fall short. You know what great value of the Bible is? It helps us to realize that and to get that out of our live. Acts 2:36 the Bible says, Peter stood up and proclaimed, ‘Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, God's made this same Jesus whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’ The Bible says, ‘Those Jews who heard that and we're attentive to it, they were cut to the heart.’ What's that mean? The Bible pricked their heart. They cried out: ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?' Saul of Tarsus, who had gotten hardened by his zealous Jewish upbringing, is softened by the word of God. Acts 9 Saul is intent, on dragging men and women to prison persecuting them. Some of them might even die. He's presented with Jesus on the way to Damascus. When he realizes it's truth, his ears perk up. ‘Lord, what would you have me to do?’ God's word is able to help us overcome sin. ‘Your word,’ the Psalmist said, ‘I've hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you,’ Psalm 119:10-12. If I've got a good working knowledge of the word of God and my heart is attentive to that, when I find my ways aren't what they ought to be, it encourages me. I want to get back right with all mighty God. Then of course the Bible has the power to help us to help us realize why we are here, where are we going, and where we'll end up. We realize I'm here as a creation of God, Genesis 1:26, Genesis 2:7. I'm not going to be here real long. Life is but a vapor, James 4:14. We have 70 maybe 80 years, Psalm 90:10-12. One day I will stand before Almighty God. Every knee will bow, every tongue will confess, and I'll give an account of how I lived my life. ‘It's appointed to man once to die and then the judgment.’ If I've listened to the word of God and I've lived my life by that, on that great day, I'll hear those wonderful words: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’ If I've turned a deaf ear to the word of God, then I'll hear the words: ‘Depart from me you workers of iniquity, I never knew you.’ I want to have a mindset that desires unity with God and others. I want to have an attentive heart to God and His word. A third ingredient that is necessary for biblical restoration is great respect, in my life, for the word and the authority of Almighty God. Look in Nehemiah 8:4-5. The Bible says, ‘So Ezra the scribe, stood on a platform of wood which they had made for that purpose and beside him at his right hand stood Mattithiah, Shema and Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, Maaseih and at his left hand, Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchiah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah and Meshullam. Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people.’ Now watch this, ‘And when he opened it all the people stood up.’ Why? After 70 years of harsh captivity, it finally dawned upon the Israelites how powerful and how much, they needed to respect the Bible. As that voice of God is opened before them, they stand up out of honor and respect for the word of God. We need today that same respect for God and His word. Do we realize that this book is the very voice of God speaking to us today? All scripture is breathed out by God, 2 Timothy 3:16. The pages in this book are not just ink and paper. It is God's message for me. Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit and God tells me in this book how He wants me to live. This is how we please God. Out of respect for almighty God, I want to respect the scriptures. I want to realize this is God's word, and I've got to live in harmony in such a way with it that one day I can bring honor and glory to almighty God in every way and in every occasion. As we think about God and we think about God's message and how to please Him and give glory and honor to Him in each and every way, that's what this is all about in every avenue and in every way. As we think about this idea, Nehemiah 8:6, I want to give us then another principle that will help us. Ezra blessed the Lord, the Great God. ‘Then all the people answered Amen, while lifting up their hands, they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.’ What's necessary for biblical restoration, from Nehemiah 8:6? There has to be absolute worship for God with fear and reverence. Look at the people. They bowed down. The act of bowing one's face to the ground was a sign of reverence and fear and all of Almighty God. Exodus 3:5, as Moses is there with that burning bush, he bows down with his face toward the ground. Isaiah six, Isaiah feels humbled to be in the presence of God. Then of course, you have John in the book of Revelation. All of these exhibit this idea of one's face going down, representative of reverence or fear, for all mighty God in worship. If we're going to have biblical restoration, it's got to be based on respect for who God is and how God wants me to worship Him. There's a lot of seeming disrespect, for God in worship today. When you to look at some of the things that are done today, you've got so much that it makes light up what's going on. The people who are jumping around and hollering and jumping over pews and all this supposedly miraculous stuff that's going on that people are just trying to make a big show out of- it's almost like a carnival or a circus as it were today. We need to realize God wants us to worship Him in a way that brings glory and honor to His name and out of respect for Him not me. Out of respect for God, I want to worship Him the way He wants me to. God is a spirit. Here's what he says, “God is a spirit and those who worship Him, must worship in spirit and in truth.” Our attitude and the way we approach God, must give Him true honor and glory. Then a final ingredient that is necessary for biblical restoration is to come to the scripture and try to understand what God wants us to, based on His word, a proper understanding of God based on the Bible. Listen to Nehemiah 8:7-8. The Bible says also, ‘Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanah and Pelaiah and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law and the people stood in their place. They read distinctly from the book in the Law of God, and they gave the sense or the understanding and helped them to understand the reading.’ Here you've got people who studied the scripture a long time. Some of these people haven't for many years studying the Bible. What did they do to really understand the script? Did they get out and commentaries and give everybody's idea and taking an opinion poll? No- they read distinctly to them from the Bible. If we really want to have biblical restoration, let's turn people back to the word of God. Let's turn people towards the scriptures. Let's read God's word. Paul said in Ephesians 3:4, ‘you can understand the knowledge of Christ, when you've read these things, give attention to reading.’ We want to point people to the Bible to help understand it. If I want to understand the Bible, I want to let the Bible be its own best commentary. Then of course, I want to apply God's message to my life. ‘The things that you've heard and read and seen,’ Paul said, ‘these do and the God of peace will be with you.’ Too many times people are turned toward entertainment and what somebody somewhere who is a religious person says-let's turn people to the Bible. ‘Is there any word from the Lord?’ Jeremiah 37:17. That's how we're really going to be restored to all mighty God. Just like in the days of Nehemiah, how wonderful it was that they had the opportunity to get back right with God. Nehemiah 8 is such an encouraging scene because the people, regardless of persecution or what it takes, they're going to put God and His word above all else. We need that same attitude among the Lord's people today. May God help each of us to have the right heart for unity to look to the word of God and be attentive and respectful for what God wants, so that one day He'll call upon us as His children with words of encouragement and hope: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’ May God help each of us to live in that way. Questions for: Old Testament Studies: Lesson 2 1. According to Psalm 133:1, what is good and pleasant? 2. According to Ephesians 4:3, we are to keep unity of what? 3. According to 1 Corinthians 1:10, there are to be no what? 4. How does Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 describe unity? 5. What did Jesus pray for in John 17:20-21? 6. In Nehemiah 8:2-3, what did the people have a desire to hear? 7. How is the word of God described in Jeremiah 15:16? 8. According to James 1:21, what can save our soul? 9. According to Psalm 119:10-12, what can help prevent sin? 10. According to 2 Timothy 3:16, where does all scripture come from?

Esau: Prince of Bad Bargains

May 24, 2022 • The Gospel of Christ

A philosophy that was popular in the days of Christ and is extremely popular today is: ‘Let us eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.’ This has long been the motto and philosophy of the Epicureans, and so many people adopt this materialistic, worldly-minded idea. One of the men in the Bible who did that was named Esau. Today we're going to talk about Esau and the bad bargain that he made. Esau will always be remembered for his bad bargain, his desire for immediate, instant gratification, and for embodying the motto: ‘let us eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.’ I want you to read with me the story of Esau. Then we're going to notice some very powerful lessons that men and women can learn from that. Genesis 25:20 the scripture records these words: ‘Isaac was 40 years old when he took Rebekah as wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian. Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren, and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. The children struggled together within her, and she said, ‘If all is well, why am I like this?’ So she went to inquire of the Lord. The Lord said to her, ‘Two nations are in your womb. Two peoples shall be separated from your body. One people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger.’ So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb, and the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over, so they called his name Esau. Afterward, his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau's heel, so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was 60 years old when she bore them. So the boys grew, and Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Now Jacob cooked a stew, and Esau came in from the field and was weary. Esau said to Jacob, ‘Please feed me with the same red stew, for I am weary.’ Therefore his name was called Edom. But Jacob said, ‘Sell me your birthright as of this day.’ And Esau said, ‘Look, I'm about to die. What is this birthright to me?’ Then Jacob said, ‘Swear to me as of this day.’ So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils, and then he ate and drank, and arose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.’ As we mentioned, nobody better exemplifies the instant gratification and the giving away of something important than Esau. The story of Jacob and Esau relates to us. The struggle of these two men, but some of it is a little maybe unique to us because of the idea of the birthright. The birthright, under the Old Testament, is something we're not as familiar with. It was a great blessing given to the firstborn to carry on the heritage of the father. The Old Testament birthright, which was only given to the firstborn male of the father, was a double portion of the father's inheritance that was promised to that child. According to Deuteronomy 21:15-17, the firstborn got 2/3. If there were three children, he'd get 2/3 of that, and so, or if there were two children, he'd get 2/3 and the other would get 1/3. It wasn't split 50/50; he got the majority of everything that belonged to the father. So if there were $100,000, he might get 75,000 of that. If there were 100 acres, he might get 75 acres. It was the benefit given to the firstborn. We also learn from the Old Testament scripture that it was the firstborn who had the privilege of serving as priest for the family. This is exemplified under the patriarchal law in the life of Abraham. Abraham served as one who went to God, one on behalf of his own family, and of course Job exemplifies this as well. He offered sacrifice for his children. God spoke directly to Job. There was that great blessing that came along with being the firstborn, as well. Then, of course, there was a great deal of respect. Respect, recognition, and honor was given to the firstborn, regardless of who the father may have been, that was always along with that right. There was almost a sense of awe and reverence that was paid to the firstborn that might not have been given to the other children. Then the spiritual blessing as well of the father was placed upon the firstborn. Genesis 27:27, we can see that happening with both Jacob and Isaac and the children there. In fact, this may have been what was sought after the most, passing on that spiritual blessing given by God. Then, of course, anything the Bible says, anything that was the firstborn, the first fruits of the harvest, the firstborn of the flock, that was specially dedicated to the service of God, Exodus 22:29-31, and so to be the firstborn under the Old Testament was a great privilege and honor. As you think about that New Testament law that we're under today, there's so many similarities that go along with that, and parallels that Christians have. All Christians today have the blessing and the benefit of being a child of God, and that wonderful birthright. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, I'll give you rest. My yoke is easy. My burden is light." Jesus said, “You'll find rest for your souls.” As children of God, we are God's firstborn. We are the first fruits of Christ, 1 Timothy 2:4-6. Just like under the Old Testament, there are some parallels to the wonderful blessings that Christians have today as part of their birthright. Christians are promised a full portion of what God has given' to His people. We, like Esau, have that full portion of heaven itself. Romans 8:16-17, the Bible clearly teaches that we are the beneficiaries of God's promises of heaven itself. We're living in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. This is the promise He's promised us, eternal life, 1 John 2:25. I'm not looking' for land. I'm not looking' for numbers or dollars in a bank account. As a child of God, part of the great blessing we have is one day we can be recipients of heaven and all the wonder and splendor of that. As we think about this idea in relation to the Old Testament birthright, aren't Christians today priests in a spiritual sense? Revelation 1:6, we are a kingdom of priests, or kings and priests, to God. 1 Peter 2:9, we offer up spiritual sacrifices to almighty God, and so when we think about this idea, the praise of our lips goes up as sacrifice, Hebrews 13:15. We have that honor today, along with our birthright, to give praise and honor to God and to serve in that capacity. Then just as the Old Testament birthright meant that you wore the name and the honor and recognition of being the firstborn of someone, we today have the privilege and honor of wearing the name Christian, the firstborn of God's creation under the New Testament. What a blessing that is! Acts 11:26 says, they were called Christians first in Antioch. 1 Peter 4:16, if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name. Like under the Old Testament, part of the spiritual birthright today is, we are promised every spiritual blessing from almighty God. The Old Testament birthright meant that there were a host of blessings given down by the father, and it was even tied in a spiritual sense-but how much more today? Every spiritual blessing is ours in Christ Jesus. I can be a child of God, 1 John 3:1. I can look up to heaven and pray, ‘Our Father who art in heaven,’ Matthew 6:9. We have the family of God to encourage and lift us up, 1 Corinthians 12:27. We've got forgiveness, grace, mercy, love, and every blessing you can imagine, the Christian has so richly received. Like under the Old Testament, as part of my birthright I am, and you are, if you're a Christian, you are specially reserved and dedicated in service to God. What's the greatest commandment of all? Jesus was asked that question. ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.’ That's what God wants us to do, and that's how He wants us to live our life in dedication to Him. In view of that, though, I want you to think about Esau and the great blessing of our birthright, today, as Christians. Think about what Esau sold out. Can you imagine, for a bowl of beans Esau sold his whole birthright? He sold 2/3 of the inheritance, the prestige, the honor, the spiritual blessing, and all of that, he sold out for a bowl of beans. Why did he do that? He may have been hungry. I'm sure he was. He'd been out hunting. He didn't have any luck. Maybe he was discouraged. You know what we learn about Esau most of all? Esau was shallow; he was very materialistic. He was worldly-focused. The Bible says in Hebrews 12:14-17 that Esau was profane, that is, he was worldly, selfishly, immorally focused. He sold out his whole birthright for a bowl of soup, or a bowl of beans. What a terrible waste, and what a terrible bargain that he gave into his brother to do that. This'd be like Bill Gates or Ross Perot giving everything he had for a Big Mac. Can you imagine selling out like that, just to satisfy instant gratification for your belly? Why did he do that? He wasn't thinking spiritually. He was thinking worldly. Let's take it a step further. Why do so many Christians and so many people who have all those spiritual birthrights and blessings that we talk about, why do so many Christians today sell their birthright for immediate gratification and lust of the flesh, which one day isn't going to amount to anything? How many people have given up Christ and been lost for eternity over some fleshly desire, instant gratification, whether it be of a fleshly, a sexual or immoral? How many people have given up something far greater than what Esau gave up on just to feel better for a little while? Are we really any different than Esau today? Why do sometimes people sell their soul to the devil for foolish things? I want you to think about some of the things that sometimes people make a bad bargain to the devil for their soul. Sometimes people sell out, and give up on all these spiritual blessings over worldliness, and materialism, and things of this life that one day aren't going to exist anyway. John said, ‘Do not love the world or the things in the world.’ Why not? ‘For all that is in the world, lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, it's not of the Father, it's of the evil one, and the world and all that's in it is one day going to pass away.’ James 4:4, James said, ‘Adulterers and adulteresses, do you not know friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore desires to be a friend of the world makes themselves God's enemy.’ God says, ‘Come out from among them and be ye separate,’ 2 Corinthians 6:17-18. How many people do we know that have sold out for things of this world? Let me give you a couple that really come to mind in the scripture. Do you remember a man who came to Jesus in Mark 10? This man probably had one of the greatest questions you could ever ask. ‘Good teacher, what do I need to do to go to heaven? What do I need to do to inherit eternal life?’ Great question. Wish there were more people asking that question. Jesus said, ‘Keep the commandments. Do not murder, do not steal, and do not commit adultery.’ ‘All these I've done from my childhood.’ ‘One thing ye lack. Sell what you have, give to the poor, come follow Me.’ You know what happened in that context? The Bible says ‘that man went away sorrowful.’ Why? ‘He had great possessions.’ He let his stuff and the things of this world keep him from inheriting that spiritual birthright. How many people are doing' that today? We've got to have the finer things in life, and we've got to keep up with the Jones's. We've got to have all this materialistic stuff, worldly stuff, that one day isn't going to matter at all. When the earth and all that's in it is one day burned up with a fervent heat, 2 Peter 3:9-12- then what will all that stuff have mattered? Don't do like Esau and sell out over materialism and worldliness. Then there are also people who spiritually sell out their birthright for desires of the flesh, specifically sometimes people do that for sexual desires. I've known Christians and people in the body of Christ, and you probably have as well, who got caught up in some immoral practice with some woman or some man, or pornography, or whatever it may be, and they sold out over those things. The Bible clearly warns us to watch out for those things. 1 Peter 2:11, Peter said, ‘I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lust which war against the soul.’ The Hebrew writer said in Hebrews 13:4, ‘marriage is honorable and the bed undefiled, but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.’ ‘Flee from youthful lust,’ Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:15, following. I've got to have that same armor up, that same guard up. Don't give in like Esau to some instant, immediate gratification of the flesh and lose your birthright over that. Then sometimes people allow sins of the body, or sins against the body, to cause them to lose their birthright. Alcohol, and drugs, and drunkenness- how many people have given in to that and sold out spiritually? The Bible says, ‘do not be drunken with wine,’ Ephesians 5:18. ‘Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler,’ Proverbs 20:1. The picture is so clear in scripture of how harmful that is to the body. Drugs, methamphetamines, marijuana, crack cocaine, or whatever it may be- when people get caught up in that stuff, they're selling out. They're selling over their birthright, just as Esau did, for something that isn't really going to last anyway. We encourage folks today, as we think about these ideas and as we think about the spiritual nature of Esau, don't be like him. What if Esau had been different? What if he'd stood up to his brother? What if he had endured those temptations? The story would be a whole lot different. Here's the encouragement for every one of us today. Friend, you can stay faithful, you can endure those challenges, and you can be faithful until death. Don't let things in this life tempt you in such a way that it causes you to turn from almighty God. I've had some things in this life, some good things to eat. You think about what Esau was going through. He was hungry. He was facing a lot of challenges and difficulties, and probably things weren't going his way in life and that bowl of soup looked good in the moment. My grandmother on my dad's side probably made the best bowl of beans I've ever eaten. I'd sure like to have a bowl of beans and cornbread right now, and I imagine you'd probably think the same thing if you were really hungry. But the question you've got to ask yourself is: Is that worth what it'll really cost me in the end? I'm not talking about a bowl of beans. I'm talking about giving in to materialism, fleshly desires, giving in to drugs, or alcohol, or something like unto that and getting that immediate hit. Is that really worth what it's going to cost me in the end? I want you to think about this question Jesus asked. Mark 8:36:37. Jesus asked two rhetorical questions. ‘What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and lose his own soul, or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?’ If you bargain your soul over something like that, friend, you've made the worst bargain possible. On the Day of Judgment you're not going to trade something for your soul. If I've not lived right or done right, it won't matter how powerful, or wealthy, or how many pleasures I might have fulfilled. None of that matters. You know what matters? Did I love God? Did I put Him first? Did I endure suffering, and did I overcome? Those are the things that really matter. I want you to think about two men. One represents another bad bargain, and the other represents a man who suffered and did right. I want you to think about this first individual with me. We know him in the Bible as the rich fool. Luke 12:15-21. A lawyer comes to Jesus with a question. Jesus answers by giving an illustration of the foolishness of materialism. There was a man who had a great crop year, a man who, when he planted his seed, it just did so well and he excelled so much in his business that he didn't have anywhere to put the entire crop that produced. That's a pretty good problem, right? So he said, ‘Here's what I'll do. I've got so many crops, I'm going to have to tear down my old barns, build bigger barns so I can store it in.’ There is nothing wrong with business, having a good crop year, or preparing for the future. All that was good and well- until this happened: that night that man's soul was required of him. God said to him, ‘You fool. This night will your soul be required of you. Then whose things will those be whom you've acquired?’ And here's the point Jesus made: ‘So is he who is rich but not in godliness.’ What was the rich fool's problem? His problem was not that he was a good farmer. His problem was not that he was a good planner, a good manager, or a good business person. That man's problem was in all his planning and doing. In all his work, he forgot to take care of the most important thing- his soul. Then think about another man. Luke 16:19-31. You've got the story of Lazarus and the rich man. Rich man had it all. Lazarus is eating crumbs, the dogs are licking his sores, he doesn't have anything, and he's a poor beggar. Lazarus suffered; he had difficulty. He went through a lot of problems most likely in this life. He was hungry and hurting for a long time, maybe, even. What about on the other side? Lazarus turned out pretty good for him. He's in paradise; the rich man's in torment. He endured; he didn't let that cause him to sell out. He may have been poor physically, but he was rich spiritually. That's what we want to drive home. Don't be like Esau; don't sell out. Whatever we've got spiritually, what God has blessed us with- don't sell that out for some fleshly, immediate, instant gratification that could cost you your soul. Nothing is more important than your soul. Make sure that we're taking care of it above all else. If you're not a Christian, we especially want to encourage you to make sure to get right with God. Have you obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ? Do you believe He is the savior of the world? ‘Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except by Him.’ Do you believe that? John 14:6. Do you believe it so much so that you'd be willing to repent and turn from sin and turn to God? Acts 3:19, Peter preached, ‘Repent, and turn, that your sins may be blotted out.’ Would you confess the beautiful name of Jesus before men? Romans 10:10. Would you do what Jesus said to be saved? Jesus said in Mark 16:16, ‘He that believes and is baptized will be saved. He that does not believe shall be condemned.’ If you've never obeyed the gospel, then friend we want to encourage you to make the spiritual birthright of Christ yours. As a Christian, if you're not living like you ought to, friend, don't sell out your soul. Make sure and get it right, and let's each one of us live in such a way that our lives bring honor and glory to God. Questions for: Old Testament Studies-Lesson 3 1. According to Genesis 25:20, what did Esau sell his birthright for? 2. According to Matthew 11:28-30, where can we find rest? 3. According to Romans 8:16-17, what are we beneficiaries to? 4. How are Christians described in Revelation 1:6? 5. What does 1 Peter 4:16 tell us about Christians and suffering? 6. What is the greatest command? 7. What does Hebrews 12:14-17 say of Esau? 8. What does James 4:4 say of being a friend of the world? 9. What does John 14:6 say of Jesus? 10. According to Mark 16:16, who will be saved?