How many times have we, as people, traded away the blessing and promises of God for something inferior in our lives?
(Genesis 25:29-33 ESV) '29 Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. 30 He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom. 31 Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” 32 “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” 33 But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.'
Scripture Thought:
This is a very unique piece of scripture, in my opinion. Jacob has made some really good stew, and his older brother Esau comes in from the field. After being out for some time, he is hungry, maybe even starving. When Esau comes in, he says, "Quick, let me have some of that stew" he has anxiousness inside of him because he is hungry (in lack of something that can satisfy his needs). Jacob being the (sketchy) character he is at this point in his life, opens his mouth up to take advantage of an opportunity that he sees is present concerning his brother.
He tells Esau, "First, sell me your birthright." Basically, I will give you some stew, but you must first sell me your birthright (the birthright of being the firstborn son). Then Esau responds with an even more drastic response, “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” With that, Esau sold his birthright for some food that satisfied his temporary needs without first thinking of its future consequences. Since Esau was the firstborn son, the birthright was already his. The birthright is given to the firstborn, giving him the head of the household status once the father dies. He also would be the primary beneficiary of his father's estate. In the book of Deuteronomy, the son with the birthright would receive a double portion of all the father owned. That is why the birthright was such a big deal. Since Esau decided to give his birthright up for a bowl of stew, scripture tells us that Esau despised his birthright (Genesis 25:34).
My Thoughts:
I have many thoughts about this scripture, the one I am going to cover today is regarding making life-changing decisions based on temporary circumstances. Esau allowed his hunger to consume him so much that his appetite (what he felt he needed right now) outweighed his good and reasonable thinking. We as people do this all the time. We possess (good, bad, and indifferent) this desire inside of us for immediate gratification. The goal is to solve it and respond to it immediately, sometimes before we actually think it through. When we don't think things through, overrule our self-control, and turn off our internal inhibitors, things usually go bad in our lives. Even worse, when we make drastic decisions that are not thought through, they have lifelong consequences.
Challenge:
Seek God continually in your life. Seek to know Him and His Word better on a consistent basis because this will give you a better understanding of who He is as you develop a greater relationship with Him.
Prayer:
Ask your Heavenly Father to help you to understand His Word and give you the wisdom and understanding needed to act upon it.
Action:
Leave a comment, thought, or opinion in the comments section. We would like to hear from you! Please like and share with friends, family, and people you believe will benefit from this devotion.
Take Care Family,
Pastor Charles
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©Copyright Charles R. Myles II 2022
Wow this is a powerful scripture, but it can also relate to a woman who might be a virgin, but by the man saying he loves her can cause a world of pain if she gives up her prized possession that God has given her and she could become pregnant or labeled nasty names etc. The same thing with a man who is popular in sports and makes good money the woman can entice a man only to trap him with a pregnancy, rape and any outlandish situation. We must never settle! We must stay focused and know who we are and whose we are and do our best to keep God's word within us and really get to kno…