God’s Sovereign Choice: The Danger of Despising Covenant Blessings

Message Overview

The Friday First Service at Praise God Ministry in Kuwait opened with a vibrant period of congregational worship and prayer. The service began with opening prayers led by Sister Santhi, followed by an inspiring worship session with songs including 'Junti Thene Dhaarala Kannaa'. Sister Monika led the congregation in reading Psalm 129:1-8, highlighting God's righteousness and protection over His afflicted people. Further praise and worship songs led the church into a reflective atmosphere, after which church members shared personal testimonies of God's physical healing, family restoration, and provision. Brother Vijay performed a special vocal song 'Yereethi Nee Runam Teerchukundunu Yesayya', and Brother Jeevan offered prayer over the tithes and offerings. Pastor Pradeep presented church announcements, highlighting upcoming ministry events including the Harvest Festival scheduled for November 6.

Following the preliminary service, Ps. Ratna Maitra stepped to the pulpit to deliver the sermon. Beginning with 1 John 4:8, she emphasized that 'God is Love' and that His character is defined by perfect love and righteousness. She then introduced the central, complex scripture of her message: Romans 9:13, where Apostle Paul writes, 'Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.' Ps. Ratna addressed modern misunderstandings and internet debates regarding this text, clarifying that God's statement must be understood in the light of His divine sovereignty, prescience, and covenant election.

Turning to Genesis 25:23, Ps. Ratna detailed the origin of Jacob and Esau in Rebekah's womb. After 20 years of childlessness, Isaac prayed for Rebekah, and God granted her pregnancy with twins. In response to Rebekah's distress over the struggle within her womb, God revealed that two distinct nations were inside her, and that the older brother would serve the younger. Ps. Ratna highlighted that God's sovereign plan was established before either child had done good or evil.

Ps. Ratna then drew a crucial lesson for parents from Genesis 25:28, which records that Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. She strongly cautioned parents against showing partiality or favoritism among their children, explaining how parental bias creates spiritual and emotional friction, instills insecurity, and distorts children's understanding of their God-given worth.

Examining Esau's critical choice in Genesis 25:29-34, Ps. Ratna emphasized the tragic moment when Esau returned faint from hunting and sold his birthright to Jacob for a single bowl of lentil stew. She referenced Hebrews 12:16, which characterizes Esau as a 'profane person' who despised his birthright. She explained that the birthright represented not merely double material inheritance, but the sacred spiritual headship of the family and the covenant line through which the Messiah would come. Esau valued immediate, temporary physical satisfaction over eternal spiritual privileges.

Ps. Ratna warned believers today against acting like Esau by trading eternal covenant blessings, moral integrity, and spiritual standing for brief worldly pleasures, financial shortcuts, or compromise. She noted that while Esau later reconciled personally with Jacob in Genesis 33:4—running to embrace and kiss his brother with tears—Esau's descendants (the Edomites) repeatedly manifested pride, malicious joy over Israel's distress, and hostility toward God's covenant people, as rebuked in the book of Obadiah.

Concluding the message, Ps. Ratna called the church to self-examination, pointing to 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, 1 John 1:7-9, John 14:6, and John 15:1-8. She reminded believers that in Jesus Christ, everyone under His precious blood is loved, chosen, and granted full access to the Father. She urged the congregation to abide in Christ, walk faithfully in His truth, discard hidden pride or carnal habits, and honor their high spiritual calling. The service concluded with Pastor Pradeep leading the final prayer and benediction.