In this address, three powerful examples of choice are explored: A Bad Choice (Esau selling his birthright), No Choice (the men of Jabesh-Gilead facing humiliation), and A Good Choice (Ruth’s faithful commitment and Joshua’s resolve to serve Jehovah). Drawing from Genesis, 1 Samuel, Ruth, Hebrews, and Joshua , this message challenges listeners to reflect on the spiritual impact of their decisions and the value of choosing God’s way.
Bible Scriptures: Darby Translation
Genesis 25:29-34 “29 And Jacob had cooked a dish; and Esau came from the field, and he was faint. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with the red—the red thing there, for I am faint. Therefore was his name called Edom.31 And Jacob said, Sell me now thy birthright.
32 And Esau said, Behold, I am going to die, and of what use can the birthright be to me? 33 And Jacob said, Swear unto me now. And he swore unto him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.34 And Jacob gave Esau bread and the dish of lentils; and he ate and drank, and rose up and went away. Thus Esau despised the birthright.”
Hebrews 11:24-26 “24 By faith Moses, when he had become great, refused to be called son of Pharaoh’s daughter;25 choosing rather to suffer affliction along with the people of God than to have [the] temporary pleasure of sin;
26 esteeming the reproach of the Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, for he had respect to the recompense.”
1 Samuel 11:1-4 “And Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh-Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.2 And Nahash the Ammonite said to them, On this [condition] will I treat with you, that I thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.
3 And the elders of Jabesh said to him, Allow us seven days, and we will send messengers into all the districts of Israel; and if there be no man to deliver us, we will come out to thee.4 And the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and told these words in the ears of the people. And all the people lifted up their voice and wept.”
Ruth 1:15-18 “15 And she said, Behold, thy sister-in-law is gone back to her people and to her gods: return after thy sister-in-law.16 And Ruth said, Do not intreat me to leave thee, to return from [following] after thee; for whither thou goest I will go, and where thou lodgest I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God;
17 where thou diest will I die, and there will I be buried. Jehovah do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part me and thee!18 And when she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, she left off speaking to her.”
Joshua 24:14-15 “14 And now fear Jehovah and serve him in perfectness and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the river, and in Egypt; and serve Jehovah.
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve Jehovah, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods whom your fathers that were on the other side of the river served, or the gods of the Amorite, in whose land ye dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah.”