Genesis 25:30–32: “And Esau said to Jacob, ‘Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.’ Therefore his name was called Edom. But Jacob said, ‘Sell me your birthright as of this day.’ And Esau said, ‘Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?'”

October 10th, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Esau came in weary and hungry after being out in the field. Jacob was cooking a red stew and Esau asked for some, saying that he was so hungry he was about to die. Jacob made a deal with his older brother. He would sell a bowl of his stew to Esau for his birthright. Birthrights in this case included the promises of God of the covenant blessings, which had been given to their grandfather Abraham. And Esau did it. His foolish act is recorded here so that we can learn from it and not make the same mistake. In the New Testament book of Hebrews 12:16 we are warned not to be “godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son” (NIV).

What caused Esau’s downfall? He lived in the moment. He was like our generation that often only lives for instant gratification: “If it feels good, do it.” Esau could look no further than his current physical desire. Anything in the future, like blessings, did not even enter his mind and were of no value to him. He did not think the promises of God were worth waiting for and so “Esau despised his birthright” (Gen. 25:34). We should learn from Esau that future spiritual blessings can be lost by living only in the moment. The negative consequences were not immediate but they came eventually.

Every one of us will be offered, perhaps even today, the opportunity to live for the moment or to live for eternity. It may be something like an opportunity to cheat on your spouse, make quick money in an unethical way, or receive a promotion by illegitimate means. We must guard against a “small” indulgence today that will rob us of spiritual blessings tomorrow. We are to make our choices with eternity in sight. We need a constant, daily relationship with God Almighty to keep us in the center of His will. Think eternity.

“LORD, help us to live with eternity in sight this day, in Jesus’ name.”