The Un-Series: Week 4 Day 2

Genesis 25:29-34

29 Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.[a]) 31 Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” 32 Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” 33 Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. 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.

I know we are focusing on Jacob this week. But I can’t get past that last line of Genesis 25:34: So Esau despised his birthright.  There is a passage in the New Testament in the Book of Hebrews that sheds more light on this. It says in Hebrews 12:16-17:

16 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. 17 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.

Esau was so focused on the immediate that he lost sight of what really mattered. This seems to be the common occurrence when it comes to physical temptation. It is no wonder that the Hebrew writer combines Esau’s actions with sexually immoral behavior. We must be careful not to set our relationship with God aside just to satisfy a temporary physical desire. Esau deeply regretted his choice, but no begging or crying could undo the consequences. We must remember that there are consequences to this kind of sinful behavior. The next time you are faced with the physical temptation to eat, drink, do or say something you shouldn’t, don’t just give in; instead, ask God to help you and give you a way out.

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.