Did he just trade his birthright for some stew?

Flashing back to an old post, mainly because I needed to read it again. Hope it can encourage someone else. Originally written 10/15/2011
Come on Esau were you really that hungry? Was Jacob’s cooking just that bomb?!

Ok let me back it up and do a quick recap just in case we aren’t familiar with the story of Jacob and Esau. Well at least the beginning of their story that can be found in Genesis chapter 25 verses 19-34.

*read the following real fast like we are speeding through time*
So Isaac (Abraham’s son) and Rebekah got married. Rebekah was barren but Isaac pled to God regarding this and BOOM she was pregnant with not one but two babies. So while these twin wrestlers were still being carried they fought with each other. Rebekah sought God about this and He told her that two nations were at war in her womb and once they were born “one people [would] be stronger than the other and the older [would] serve the younger” (Genesis 26:23 NKJV).

Esau was born first and then Jacob followed holding onto his big brother’s heel. Esau was the macho 

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man type, out in the field doing the hunting while Jacob chilled around the tents. One day Esau came in from the field tired and hungry from his days work. He noticed Jacob was cooking stew and asked for some. This dude Jacob, who I feel is kind of, well…conniving in a way, basically tells Esau “alright you can have some stew if you give me your birthright, like starting now”. Esau’s overdramatic self says something like: “waiting to make my own food would be dumb! Take my birthright who cares? If I don’t eat this instant I will surely die of starvation!” Okay so maybe that was my translation but I promise it wasn’t too different from this. And so…they trade some lentils, bread, and something to drink for his birthright.

Again I say really Esau? Were you that hungry? I can only imagine God feeling like He was on the very 1st episode of Punk’d when He watched that transaction go down. Like did this foolish kid just give up everything for a hunger pang?!

The birthright is a big deal. As the first born you were guaranteed to be head of the family and receive an inheritance once the father passed away. I was reading around and learned that when people sold their birthright they only did at a super high price. “This is the price take it or leave it, we aren’t coming down on it”.

So when I read this again I was like dang that would be like me saying… “Ok I know I only have one more semester of grad school left and tuition is due in a couple days but I really, really need this Louis Vuitton bag today! If I don’t get it now, I’ll surely die of embarrassment at church Sunday”! It just sounds foolish. In my opinion.

I mean, we could argue that Esau was deceived or taken advantage of by his little brother. We could also argue that he was careless, apathetic, and so obsessed with his present he couldn’t see past it. Either way, I’m sure we can agree that he gave up his future to satisfy his now. He showed his contempt for his birthright and lack of interest in it by giving it away so easily and for so little.

As children of God we have a birthright we are entitled to. It could look like: getting a degree, starting a business, carrying a pregnancy to term, owning a home, acquiring land, getting married, security, protection, saving lives, the gift of eternal life, being a co-heir with Christ, or receiving peace, strength, and joy through the Holy Spirit.

Although the devil comes to steal and destroy he can’t even approach us without God’s permission and can’t take anything without our permission. Do not allow him to use our current situations or evil people to make you do his dirty work for him. (Ok I need you to know, I had to pause and laugh right here because he really has NO power! he just fronts like he does and although he is good at this front don’t let it throw you off. he’s a lie. SMH). There is absolutely no need to turn your peace, joy, or your future anything over to that fool!

I want to urge you to beware of the sheisty sneaky people; as well as the schemes, tricks, and smokescreens the enemy places in our paths to get us to forfeit our birthrights.

If God told you He was going to heal that family member and they’re still sick. No worries you just haven’t made it to that promise. YET!

If He told you He was going to bring that sibling off of skid row and they’re still out there. Don’t stress or think your prayers are hitting the ceiling; you just haven’t made it to that promise. YET!

If God said you are going to get the job you need but every employer you’ve been to only notices that felony on your record. Do NOT give up the search; you just haven’t made it to that promise. YET!

If God told you you’re going to obtain that degree (at whatever level) but tuition money just fell through or they took away ½ the classes you need due to budget cuts. Don’t even trip; you just haven’t made it to that promise. YET!

If you’ve been faithful in your giving and you were told this is your season of reaping a harvest but it still doesn’t look like it. Don’t go back to the stingy you or that illegal hustle! You just haven’t made it to that promise. YET!

If He told you that you aren’t going to lose your place of residence and you just got that dreaded notice. Don’t panic! He works best under “pressure” keep the faith and know that you just haven’t made it to that promise. YET!

Or shoot if you’re just hungry like Esau no worries you’re not gonna starve to death.  Don’t sell your future accomplishments and victories for a meal that today would cost you less than 5 bucks.

I prayerfully encourage you to be patient. Become future focused. Be prepared through prayer, fasting, and reading that word. Deny those easy, too good to be true shortcuts. Oh and don’t wait until the battle is over…shout now =)

Don't forget

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