Losing the Future for Now

"Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, "Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!" (That is why he was also called Edom.) Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright." "Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?" But Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright." (Genesis 25:29-34)

There are certain privileges that come as a result of being born. For example, the 14th amendment of the constitution of the United States declares that: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."

So just by the virtue of being born in the United States, one enters into a birthright citizenship. All the rights and privileges of being a citizen of the United States, such as the protection of the government, ability to vote, ability to travel into the United States and many nations without need of visas etc. become one's legally. These rights are one's perpetually unless there is a voluntary relinquishing of citizenship through renunciation.  

In the July 17, 2010 edition of the Financial Times, an article addressed the issue of the renunciation of U.S Citizenship. It says that in 2009, as many as 743 people renounced their U.S Citizenship. Many of these individuals do so to avoid paying taxes or other perceived immediate benefits. As a result they forfeit all the benefits of their citizenship. Another downside to this is that the renunciation of citizenship except by minors is an irrevocable decision.

The concept of the birthright in our text today is very similar. It was a serious and sacred privilege that came as a result of being the firstborn in a family. The birthright had material and spiritual advantages. It contained a double portion of the father's inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17), guaranteed that the owner would be the ruler and patriarch of the family when the father passed (Genesis 27:29) and as in the case of Isaac and Jacob, made the owner heir of the promised blessing of Abraham (he would be the one through whom the covenant blessing made to Abraham would be realized and through him, ultimately the promised Messiah would come). This was what Esau possessed. This was what was at stake when the events of today's text took place.

Jacob had had his eyes on that position from the womb. Why? He valued it. Esau had it thrust on him, but he didn't count it as much. In fact our text says he despised it. He counted it as worthless, so much so, that he willingly traded it away for a single meal. He irrevocably renounced his birthright and threw away all its privileges. Esau had no respect for God, for the blessing, for the plans of God that could have been accomplished through Him. He left it all for sensual satisfaction.   He chose the fleshly over the spiritual, the present over the future, instant gratification over future blessing and legacy. We are admonished,

 "See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done." (Hebrews 12:16-17).

It was a decision he could not reverse. This is serious. There are some irrevocable decisions we could make.

What is the message to us in this? We also have some spiritual inheritance that came to us by birth into the kingdom. We are heirs of the promises and the blessing of Abraham (Galatians 3:29), joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17), heirs of eternal life (Titus 3:7) and of the kingdom (James 2:5, 2 Peter 1:11). We have an inheritance not just in heaven but for our present lives (Mark 10: 28-30).
We have glorious things that God has prepared for us and has coming our way (1 Corinthians 2:9).

We can also throw all these things away by being like Esau, refusing to value them and losing them to instant fleshly gratifications. A wonderful marriage can be thrown away by a moment of sinful pleasure of fornication or adultery, a calling and a great ministry can be lost through a moment of compromise, destinies can be lost by marrying the wrong person. Satan is always bargaining with us for our birthright through his temptations. By succumbing to the passing pleasure of sin, a great future can be thrown away. The act may look simple, justified or necessary, but it steals away your future potentials. The current always looks more alluring but with every dabble into sin, something is lost and thrown away.  

So make up your mind not to bargain away your destiny and birthright no matter how attractive the offer may be to you now. Respect the anointing of God on you. Reverence the inheritance He has stored up for you. Don't let Satan trick you out of it. Honor the things of God more than fleshly things. If you have fallen into some compromise or sin, run to Him in repentance today before it is too late. Ask for His mercy. Show him that you value and honor His gifts. Your inheritance is precious. Don't lose it.

Decision of the Day

I understand that my spiritual inheritance can be lost through fleshly indulgence. It is my choice today to value my inheritance more than the things that are attractive to my flesh, that ask for instant gratification. I will honor the word of God, the Holy Spirit and His purpose for my life. I will not give in to Satan's bargain to make me lose my destiny.





Search Amazon.com for Esau's Birthright

Search Amazon.com for sexual immorality