THE PINNACLE OF SUCCESS IS POURING OUR LIVES INTO THE THINGS THAT LAST. (Genesis 36:1 - 37:1)
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SERMON NOTES:
The Pinnacle of Success
(Genesis 36:1-37:1)
THE PINNACLE OF SUCCESS IS POURING OUR LIVES INTO THE THINGS THAT LAST.
Esau lived his way with his beautiful family and his wealth. (36:1-8)
Esau became very powerful. (9-39)
Esau was famous. (40-43)
Jacob lived as an immigrant. (37:1)
study questions:
For the Next Lesson – Genesis 36:1-37:1
1. Read verses 36:1-8. How many wives and sons did Esau have? Where were Esau’s sons born? Why did Esau go to the land of Seir (Edom)?
2. Read verses 36:9-19. These verses show that many of Esau’s sons and grandsons became “chiefs”? What do you think it meant by the title “chief”?
3. Read verses 36:20-30. Seir the Horite was likely a powerful indigenous dweller of the land where Esau and his sons settled which is why he had the same name as the region. According to verses 29-30, how many chiefs came from Seir the Horite?
4. Read verses 36:31-39. How many kings of Edom are listed? What happened to each of these kings? Why do you think it is noted in verse 31 that these kings, “reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the Israelites”?
5. Read verses 36:40-43. Who is Esau in relation to Edom? As you consider all the chiefs and kings listed in chapter 36, how would you describe Esau’s influence and power in the region?
6. Read verse 37:1. What was going on in with Jacob in Canaan during this same time? How would you compare the life of Esau to the life of Jacob at this point in their lives? Which life would you want? Which brother was more successful and thriving? How so? Review the promises made to Jacob in Genesis 35:11-12. Why do you think Jacob was content to just live in the land of his fathers in Canaan? What does this show you about Jacob’s growing faith?
7. So what. The lives of Esau and Jacob can be compared to the lives of non-Christians versus Christians. How can it seem like non-Christians are thriving? Read John 16:33. What should Christians expect from life? What promise does God make? How should we respond? How should we be like Jacob instead of Esau? What is one thing you can take away from this passage that applies directly to your life?