<Settling for Gifts or Inheriting the Legacy?>

Genesis 25:5-6, 21-23

Hallelujah. It is a morning filled with the Holy Spirit.

In the text we read today, we witness the funeral of the giant of faith, Abraham. The great patriarch has departed, but God’s history does not stop; it continues to move forward. But friends, if you look closely at Genesis chapter 25 today, a very important ‘Spiritual Crossroads’ appears.

Abraham had many other sons besides Isaac. He had Ishmael, and in his old age, he had six more sons through Keturah. In the eyes of the world, Abraham was a “blessed old man with a large family.” But in spiritual eyes, there was a ‘Profound Distinction.’

Pay attention to Genesis 25 verses 5 and 6.

[Genesis 25:5-6, NIV] 5 Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. 6 But while he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.

What did Abraham give to the sons of his concubines? He gave them ‘Gifts’ and sent them to the East. But what did he give to Isaac? He gave ‘Everything he owned.’

What does this mean? The descendants of Keturah and Ishmael received the ‘Blessings of Provision.’ They got their share, went out, and lived well. But Isaac received the ‘Legacy of Covenant.’ He inherited God Himself.

Beloved saints, even in the church today, there are two types of believers. Some people seek only “Gifts” from God. “God, make my business successful. Give me health. Solve my problems.” And when they get them, they say “Hallelujah” and leave for the world (the East) to live however they please. This is the faith of a concubine’s son.

However, a True Heir is not satisfied with ‘gifts.’ They want ‘The Father’s Everything’—The Father’s Spirit, The Father’s Vision, and The Father’s Kingdom. God entrusts the essence of the Kingdom only to heirs like Isaac.

Then, how does this tremendous legacy become mine? Do I just sit still? No. Look at verse 21 today.

[Genesis 25:21, NIV] Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.

Isaac was the heir of the covenant, but his wife Rebekah could not conceive. The promise was blocked. At this moment, what does Isaac do? “He prayed to the Lord!”

The original word for ‘prayed’ here is not just mumbling. It is a ‘Breakthrough Prayer’—crying out until you are out of breath, like on a battlefield. This is Pentecostal Spirituality! Even if there is God’s promise (Word), it does not happen automatically. You must open the womb with the knees of prayer. You must break through the blocked wall with the fire of the Holy Spirit.

When Isaac cried out, the closed womb opened. And from that womb came Jacob. Jacob came out holding his brother’s heel. What is this? It is a Holy Desperation saying, “I cannot live without the blessing!” Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of stew, but Jacob yearned for spiritual things even from the womb.

God chose not Esau, who pretended to be dignified, but Jacob, who struggled to seize the spiritual things. “The older will serve the younger.” This is God’s Sovereign Choice.

Let me conclude the message. What are you holding onto right now? Will you be like the sons of Keturah, satisfied with a few ‘gifts’—mere crumbs—and leave for the world? Or will you be like Isaac, opening the heavens with prayer, and like Jacob, holding onto the heel with passion, to take hold of ‘God’s Legacy’?

In 2026, let our church not be a crowd that takes only ‘money’ and leaves. I pray that you become ‘True Heirs’ who break through with prayer, seize with the Holy Spirit, and finally inherit the Kingdom of God.

Let us pray together: “Lord, we do not want perishable gifts, but the eternal legacy. Let us break through with prayer like Isaac, and let us yearn for spiritual things like Jacob. Holy Spirit, pour upon us the spirit of the heir! We pray in the name of the Lord. Amen.”