From the time they were conceived there was contention between the two. While the boys were yet in the womb their mother noticed the twin’s unusually active thrusts. When they were born the youngest exited the birth canal grasping the heel of the eldest. His shenanigans didn’t end there, oh no, he would remain nipping at the feet of his older brother. The eldest son went on to be deceived out of many things at he hands of the younger sibling. Poor Esau didn’t stand a chance against the reckless and insensitive behavior of his brother Jacob, as God had forewarned their mother Rebekah during her pregnancy, “Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.”
Genesis 25:23, NKJV
As I was rummaging through my kitchen, in desperation for food, I immediately thought about a story with these two. In Genesis 25:29-34, Esau returned home from a long day of hunting, his energy was depleted and he extremely hungry. Upon his arrival, Esau smelled a warm meal, looked to his brother who had cooked the savory stew and asked for some. Jacob seized the moment saying to Esau “…Sell me your birthright as of this day.” Genesis 25:31 NKJV
Jacob exploited Esau’s need by feeding his brother and also feeding his own selfish nature. The birthright naturally belonged to the eldest son and its benefits were many. It brought a sense of prestige, authority, and respect in the household. The first-born of a king would naturally succeed his father on the throne. This birthright also afforded these sons to receive a double portion of the paternal property (Deuteronomy 21:16-17). Yet this treasure was still handled so carelessly, And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me? Genesis 25:32 NKJV
The exchange was made between food and honor…ignorance and wisdom…self-gratification and glory.
Verse 33 indicates that Esau “despised” his birthright. He didn’t see the value or the worth in what he possessed. Despise means to treat something with disdain, dislike or contempt…more suiting for this story, to treat something as if it is worthless.
How often do we not see the value in what we possess, what opportunities exist in our challenges, and even who we are?
Esau allowed his god to be in his stomach (Philippians 3:19), simply meaning he allowed himself to be ruled by his emotions and feelings, which are fleeting. In our daily lives, let us consider this: are we appeasing our imperfections, which in turn lead to death or are we choosing to embrace virtue, which leads to life…
PRAYER
Father, on today, allow us to realize our value in You and accept Your love for us. Let us not be ruled by our appetites, desires, or those things that only provide temporary satisfaction, but rather let us be guided by You. You have great plans for our lives, please allow that to always be fresh in our hearts and minds!
In Jesus name, Amen!
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Genesis 25:19-34, The Birth of Esau and Jacob
“Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Matthew 7:6 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
“…You know well enough from your own experience that there are some acts of so-called freedom that destroy freedom. Offer yourselves to sin, for instance, and it’s your last free act. But offer yourselves to the ways of God and the freedom never quits. All your lives you’ve let sin tell you what to do. But thank God you’ve started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom!”
Romans 6:16-18 The Message (MSG)
1 Comment
Anonymous · at
So, so, so good!