Esau and Jacob had some deep sibling rivalry—think kids tussling over toys, only way more intense. Theses two brothers took rivalry to a whole new level, from fighting in the womb, trading birthrights for soup, and scheming for blessings. Chasing what we want can mess with what God’s got planned. Esau was all about instant gratification, trading something huge for a quick bite, while Jacob keeps plotting and deceiving to secure his own gain. Yet, despite all that, there’s a thread of grace—God still pursues them, and us, even in our mess. We’re all like Esau and Jacob in different ways. Sometimes we despise God’s grace, sometimes we scheme for our own gain; yet God chooses to pursue us still.

Scripture References: Genesis 25:29-34, Genesis 27:1-40

Related Topics: Election, God's Faithfulness, God's Sovereignty, Human Condition | More Messages from Josh Weiland | Download Audio

From Series: "Pursuing Presence"

Jacob had quite a life. It was one that was all about God's presence, but I'm not sure he saw it that way! In Jacob we'll see the life of a twin brother who struggled against his own family from the womb all the way to old age, until he finally learned how to allow God's pursuing presence to define his life. Jacob's journey, in many ways, is the opposite of what God desires for us. (To call it messy is an understatement.) Yet his life is also one of many in Scripture where we see God never quits pursuing us!

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