Tuesdays with Jacob

Read Genesis 25:29-32 – Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. 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?” (NKJV)

Hunger is one thing, but selling your birthright for a meal seems remarkably foolish, doesn’t it? How does Esau value a bowl of stew over his birthright? Sadly, many men sell some of their most important possessions for momentary satisfaction. They trade a marriage for a few minutes of inappropriate sexual pleasure. They trade their family life for one more bonus at work. When you begin to look closely, you realize how many men live like Esau—ready to give up the important for the immediate. And, then live their lives with deep regret.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.