In the course of time, Isaac and Rebekah had two sons, Esau and Jacob. They were twins. As they grew, Isaac showed preference to Esau because he was a hunter and Rebekah showed preference for Jacob. One day as Jacob was cooking a pot of stew, Esau came in from the fields having been hunting and was weak from hunger. He asked Jacob for some stew and Jacob said he could have some if Esau would give Jacob his birthright. The birthright was a double portion of the inheritance from the father. It was that which God had established among the patriarchs as a great blessing. Esau reasoned that the birthright was of no value to him if he died of hunger so he agreed to the trade. Because of the little value Esau placed on the birthright that was legally his because he was born first, he is referred to as a “profane” man in the New Testament. (Hebrews 12:16) Whether he realized it or not, Esau was saying God and His provisions for him was not enough for him.
It seems incredible that Esau would be willing to give away something as valuable as the double-portion of land and wealth for a bowl of stew. But many people today give away a much greater blessing for less. Think of how people are willing to give away their soul to Satan for the passing pleasures of life? How many people give away the blessing of worshipping God for a few hours extra sleep on Sunday mornings? How many forfeit a home with God for eternity just to do their own will rather than following God’s will? What about you? Are you trading eternal life for something no more than a bowl of stew as Esau?
“Knowing Your Bible” is a Bible correspondence course you can take on line (just go to the “online resources tab and scroll down to Bible Correspondence Course and sign up to take this informative six lesson course) or you can take it by mail in your home and have a hard copy of the lessons to refer to time after time. If you like a list of all the “Tracts” we have on various Bible subjects just fill out the request form and ask for the list in the comments section. All our materials are absolutely FREE. Order your materials today.
