Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew; Esau ate and drank, then got up and went out. So Esau despised his birthright.
Genesis 25:34 NET
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” You can tell how someone feels about someone or something by the way they treat them/it.
A gift that is given, if cherished, finds itself on the mantle or displayed somewhere else prominently in someone’s home.
But something that is viewed as worthless, will be placed in a drawer and easily forgotten.
Esau had something very special given to him as the firstborn of Issac. This was a special designation that was understood in their time. It meant that when Issac passed, he would be greatly honored.
But he didn’t care about that. He treated this honor as worthless and traded it to his brother Jacob for some stew.
It was a rash decision. He let the hunger that he felt speak louder to him than the honor he would have as the firstborn.
Would he have traded his bow? Would he have traded his favorite shirt? He just didn’t care enough about the important stuff.
Do we treat the things of God the same? Do we put our hunger or our entertainment or our own happiness before God?
Matthew 6:33 says to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. (paraphrased)
Shouldn’t that be the way we live? Shouldnt we put Jesus first and everything else falls into place?
Later, after Issac blessed Jacob with the firstborn blessing, Esau cried and was angry.
Don’t regret putting other things before Jesus! The things of Earth are temporary. The things of Heaven are eternal. Don’t trade out eternity for lentil stew!
Father, there are so many distractions that can keep me from putting you first. Help me to walk daily with my eyes fixed on you.
Peace
Todd