September 8, 2011 | Buen Consejo | for https://baptist.org
A story of two brothers. One was seeking something very different than the other was. Which are you like? What can you learn from this story?
The LORD said to a woman named Rebekah, Genesis 25:23-26 “And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.”
Esau and Jacob. These are two famous brother. Jacob later became named Israel. He is the father of the children of Israel, the Jews. Esau is the focus of today’s post. The story continues:
Genesis 25:27 “And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.
And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.”
Basically, what happened is that Esau was out in the field, Jacob was in the camp and had food. Esau was very hungry. Esau was soooo dramatic! He’s going to die if he doesn’t eat! How sad! You can go nearly 3 days without water and weeks to months without food. He just valued his precious flesh so much he did not want to suffer or discipline it. Jacob swooped right in, “Sell me this day thy birthright”. He saw that his brother was desperate and took advantage. “And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?” So Esau sold it. How near sighted! He sold his birthright for one meal.
What did Esau think of this action after his belly was full? Hebrews 12:16, 17 “Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” Esau not only regretted it deeply, but tried to undo it and could not.
What does the Lord think of this action? Romans 9:13 “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” God hated him for selling his spiritual things for carnal (fleshly) things.
What about you? You might say, “I’d never be stupid enough to sell my spiritual things for the temporary fleshly things!” Are you sure? Let’s see if the Esau shoe fits you:
Perhaps you are not saved yet. “I don’t want to be a Christian. It’s not as much fun!” “I don’t want to have to go to church, or read my Bible!” “I want to drink, get high or have sex without someone telling me what to do!” “I already know how to be good enough for God. He will welcome me into heaven! I’m enjoying this life and not hurting anyone!” Here’s the problem: Romans 3:10 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Next problem: Jesus said, Luke 13:3 “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Revelation 20:14,15 “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
You have sinned against God, you will go to hell if you do not repent and surrender to God through faith in Jesus Christ. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Repent, call upon Jesus to save you. Later could be too late.
Perhaps you are saved. What choices do you make? Flesh or Spirit? How much time do you spend reading your Bible every day? How much time with the TV? iPad? iTunes? Facebook? (reading my Bible studies is partial credit only) When you have a chance to talk to someone about Jesus do you use the excuse that you don’t know enough scripture? Yet, at home you won’t study the scriptures to learn them, write them down or get ready! You have a medical condition I call “Fullacrapnia”. It can only be cured by a daily doses of vitamin B.I.B.L.E. Learn from Esau. I know some people think they can whine, stick out their bottom lips and talk God out of it. If you are foolish enough to believe that, then you might also suffer from “Buttheaditis”. Not as easily cured! The scripture above said, “..For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.” Cry all you want, he will not hear.
Remember also, another lesson to learn from Esau, “..For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected..” Esau wished he had not done it. While the appetite is on you, you think the thing you’re gaining is great. But, afterward you are left empty, depressed and in a lot of trouble. Smarten up! Think ahead! Do what is right by God. Choose the spiritually correct. You’ll never regret that! Romans 10:11 “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”
