Last weekend, I was on sabbatical for a few days. Just some time out in the woods for some rest, family time, and solo Bible Study. One of the stories from the Scripture I revisited during this time was the story of Jacob in Genesis. As I read through it again, I caught something in one of his stories that I had not caught before….
Jacob was a sequel to a few other people’s stories. His grandfather was Abraham who was man of great faith (and his share of mistakes) who God made a promise to give him many descendents. He promised Abraham to kick things off with a son even though he and his wife, Sarah were past the age of having children. In God’s time, they did have a son whom they named Isaac. When Isaac grew, he too got married and had two sons. They were twins and their names were Esau and Jacob.
Esau was born first with Jacob a close second. A matter of fact, Jacob came out grasping his brother’s heel. This earned him his name which had two meanings; one of which was “deceiver”.
They had a tough relationship as they grew. Esau became a hunter and Jacob stayed around the house. Esau becomes dad’s favorite while Jacob was a mama’s boy.
One day, Esau came home from one of his hunting trips. Jacob was at the stove cooking up some stew. Esau was starving and wanted his brother to give him some food.
Jacob, being who he was, refused unless if Esau gave Jacob his birthright. Esau resisted but Jacob insisted until Esau gave in and gave his brother his birthright (a birthright is where the oldest son has the authority in his household after the father passes away).
Now, whenever I read this story, I thought…”Wow, I can’t believe Jacob was so conniving.” However, this time I noticed a line I had not noticed before. At the end it says, “So Esau despised his birthright”. In other words, according to the Bible, the one who blew it was Esau because he did not value the rights that was his as the son and gave it up for a stupid bowl of soup. His heart was not in the right place.
It got me to thinking, what are my rights as a child of God and do I sometimes act in a way that God would see me as despising those rights? Are there times that I trade something awesome of God for something as cheap and temporary as a bowl of soup?
I realized we do it all the time…..
When we have a chance to make a difference in the life of a young person by going to a youth group event but blow it off because the Ohio State Buckeyes are on TV…….. which is the birthright and which is the bowl of soup?
When we blow off study and worship at church to stay out late on a Saturday night? Which one is the birthright and which is the bowl of soup?
When we have a chance to dive into a Home Group or a Small Group for community sake that gives each other encouragement, discipleship, and challenge because that’s the night we do our scrapbooking… which one is the birthright and which is the bowl of soup?
When we have a chance to tell someone else about the good news of Jesus Christ when they need hope, peace, and a Savior and we pass to stay in a few moments of personal comfort…. which is the birthright and which is the…. well, you get the point……
God has so much more for us than we claim and often it’s because we blow off the best to grasp the good enough for the moment. Esau did it….. I’m tired of doing it…… I want more….. You?
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