[Genesis 25-26]

H – Genesis 25:34, “Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.”

E – Rejecting Our Value!

I don’t know why but when I read the Bible I try to dramatize it as I read (really with any book). It helps in whatever I’m reading come to life in my mind and helps me comprehend it as well. When I read the story of Esau and Jacob I can’t help but picture Esau as a red Grinch (v.25) who never stayed home to go hunting and Jacob as a frail little boy living in his mom’s basement playing video games and watching youtube, only to get up to cook some food. And, don’t you know their nicknames fit the bill. You could call Esau “Ole Red” and Jacob “Heel-Grabber” or “The Cheat” (obviously that was his gamer handle). Now, we know that’s not the way it was. But, it is pretty funny reading “The Red Man ate red stew” (v.30). Come on, SMILE, it’s Friday!!!!!!

Let’s get to the point. There are 2 conflicting personalities within Esau and Jacob. Jacob, overvalued his life, being extremely selfish, to the point that he was willing to do what ever it took to gain more value. He would even lie, steal, and cheat just as long as he came out looking better with more. Esau undervalued his life to the point that he was willing to literally give it away. You may not think this is a big deal, but it’s huge; because its so much bigger than a birthright, who’s older, who does what, who gets what, etc.. 

Read these words, “Thus Esau despised his birthright.” This is the point: Esau undervalued who he was, where he came from, and what future blessings were ahead of him. Esau’s birthright was linked to God’s plan of redemption for the whole world. It was promised! Yet, Esau did not appreciate it.

On the contrary Jacob in Chapter 25 was not righteous, yet he recognized the spiritual value of “the birthright” he was going after. Surely, there would flow promised blessings? So, he went after it. [However, God later made Jacob realize that His promises are not acquired in this way].

But again, look at Esau. Esau sacrificed spiritual provisions to satisfy his physical appetite. All Esau saw was he was hungry, there was food, and he was willing to do whatever was necessary to get it, even if that meant nonchalantly throwing his life away. Do you see it? When we satisfy our physical appetites we will throw away our spiritual provisions. And now, for this families religious heritage, Esau is disqualified to succeed his father. The Bible goes as far as saying in Hebrews 12:16, that Esau was considered “unholy” or “godless” because he rejected the greater blessing, GOD. Thus, rejecting his value. 

A – Don’t allow the physical to undermine the spiritual. Do what it takes. Cling to God, His Word, His Promises, and the Hope that comes through a relationship with King Jesus. 

The Bible gives two clear example of gratifying the desires of our flesh or walking in the fruit of Spirit in Galatians 5. We read in Galatians 5 that the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh (Galatians 5:17). This means I can’t gratify my fleshly appetite and walk in the Spirit at the same time. I’m doing one or the other. 

Know my value in Him. He loved me so much that even while I was a sinner, Jesus died for me. Now, by faith, I am part of the family of God. I have His inheritance. Therefore, I pursue holiness because He (My Father) is holy. 

R – Lord God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for the value you have placed on my life though the blood of Jesus. Lord, thank you that I am part of your family. Help me to never despise who I am and what family I belong to. Lord, you are everything, my most valued possession, and you are enough. 

In Jesus Name!