"But Jacob said, 'First sell me your birthright.' Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?” Gen 25:31-32
Esau was the first born of his father, Isaac. The culture in those times gave the first born son certain rights and privileges that superseded that of all of the other children. He would typically become the heir and thus receive the vast majority of his father's possessions upon his death.
Esau had just come from the field where he presumably was working. Due to hunger he described as putting him into proximity of death, Esau willingly sold his birthright to his younger twin brother for a bowl of soup.
Beloved, through baptism, we have been born into the family of God. We have been made joint heirs with Christ, Rom 8:17. This is the most wonderful, yet costly gift we can ever receive. It is available nowhere else. It is of such surpassing value that it will literally determine our eternity.
Esau sold his inheritance for the temporary relief of hunger and pleasure of eating. He is described as having despised his birthright. For how little are we willing to sacrifice our inheritance in our daily lives? For what whim or temporary pleasure are we willing to jeopardize our birthright? We must place it within the safety deposit box of sanctity and literally guard it with our lives because once it is gone,it is gone forever.
Loving Like Jesus
Lee
No comments:
Post a Comment