In Genesis chapter 25, we have the account of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for pottage and lentils.
If this passage is familiar, I want you to reread it and consider Esau’s position.
He was the eldest son, which is why he had the birthright. In those days, this meant he was entitled to a double portion of Isaac’s wealth when he died and would be the family priest (responsible to God, having a relationship with God). Since he was in Abraham’s family, he would be in the coming Messiah’s lineage.
Esau came in from hunting; he was hungry and tired and asked Jacod for food. Jacob negotiated, requiring the birthright in exchange for the meal. Esau agreed, saying, “Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?” (verse 32)
If you were starving, you’d do anything for a meal. But I don’t believe that is the case here. There’s no famine in the land. We have no evidence of there not being any food. So, why was Esau so willing to give up the birthright? Why was he so set on this meal?
It was a desire of the flesh. Here, we have a very vivid representation of the flesh struggling against the Spirit, and Esau’s flesh won. He almost flippantly said, “What’s the big deal about the birthright anyway?”
He gave up his spiritual heritage, blessings, and responsibility for a moment of pleasure.
He chose soup over God.
We may read that and think, “How could he?” But don’t be too quick to judge Esau’s choices.
How often do we do the same thing? Galatians 5:17 says, “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
We choose sinful pleasures, knowing they’re wrong. We aren’t giving up a birthright, but we are giving up being right with God. We are choosing to ask for God’s correction rather than His blessing.
We choose selfishness over being a blessing and convenience over sacrifice.
How often has the Lord prompted you to reach out to someone, witness to a stranger, give to a missionary, or make a meal for a neighbor, and you didn’t? This is the flesh warring against the Spirit and the flesh winning.
The saying, “It’s better to ask forgiveness than permission,” is not for the Christian.
Seemingly small compromises aren’t small at all. They quickly become habits that bring the correction of God.
I don’t know what has your attention right now. I don’t know what fleshly desire you are battling. But I know it’s worth it to keep resisting temptation and obey the Lord.
Don’t give up the peace or blessings of God for a bowl of soup. Nothing is more valuable than your relationship with the Lord.
Stay in the Word, stay close to the Shepherd, and let Him lead you in paths of righteousness.
With Hope in His Service,
Heather
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