Don't Sell Your Birthright

“27 The boys grew up, and Esau became a skilful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents.28 Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

29 Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. 30 He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.)

31 Jacob replied, “First sell me your birth right.”

32 “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birth right to me?”

33 But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.

34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.

So Esau despised his birthright.

Birthright can be defined as a particular right of possession or privilege a person has from birth, especially as an eldest son.

Birthright is a moral right possessed by everyone- birthright can be explained as your inarguable, noncontroversial right and power conferred on you at birth. You don’t have to do anything to get it. Birthright is your natural endowment- your natural blessing (no canvassing, competition or lobbying needed).

Our text talked about the twin boys of Isaac and Rebekah named Esau and Jacob they were twins but they were not delivered at the same time. Esau was born before Jacob; this made Esau the first born of the family.

They both grew up and took up different professions of their own.

Esau was a skilful hunter while Jacob was content to staying at home among the tent.

In those days, firstborns were honoured with the right to have right over the father’s assets – they can exercise authority and responsibilities after the death of their father. In addition to assuming the leadership role of the family, the first born is bestowed the privilege to inherit twice than what other children will receive- there is no argument about this because it is the natural law of being the firstborn of a family (birthright).

As believers, we have an inheritance of birthright through Jesus who is the firstborn of the almighty God.

Success, blessing, breakthrough, accelerated promotion and so on are your birthright as a genuine believer, so you don’t need to be running around looking to get what is already yours- you don’t beg or solicit for what belongs to you!

Back to our anchor scripture; Esau came back home hungry from hunting his hunting trip. He saw his brother Jacob cooking porridge and he begged his brother to give him some to eat.

Jacob asked his brother to part with his birthright with his birthright for him to eat from his food.

Can you imagine what Jacob wanted in exchange of some morsel of porridge? (Think of the definition and the explanation I talked about in the beginning).

Esau did not think much of his glorious future and all the benefits attached to being the firstborn before he accepted to sell his birthright for momentary pleasure or satisfaction!

How many pots of porridge do you think he would have been able to have in his possession if he had endured the hunger that made him to sell his birthright?

However, he was unable to hold on to make his own food- he was unable to delay his gratification. Hence, he sold his glorious future for a brief enjoyment and satisfaction.

Likewise, as children of God you have glorious future ahead of you. It does not matter what you are going through now, regardless of what the devil is making you to see about yourself, if you can wait and endure the challenge, God will set you free and you will enter into your inheritance.

Do not fall for the “deceiving and enticing offer” of the devil. The devil has nothing good to offer you. All he wants to do is to entice you with “small morsel” of gift or blessing to steal your birthright forever!

The devil’s gift does not last long- like the morsel of porridge Esau sold his birthright for did not last him the whole week, because I believe he ate something else after his porridge ordeal.

Do not let the devil deceive you with some fake or make believe “breakthrough” that will deprive you from enjoying the inheritance of your birthright. Persevere; be able to delay your gratification- instant gratification may bring calamity and regret.

Be careful of the nature of offer you will accept so that you don’t tie down your destiny.