INTRODUCTION
One of the saddest figures in the Bible is of a man named Esau. Esau and Jacob were promised children. The mother Rebecca was barren so the father, Isaac pleaded to God and his prayer was answered (Gen 25:21). Esau was the firstborn son of Isaac and Rebekah and the twin brother of Jacob. (He was loved by his father and was a skillful hunter. It was because of Esau skill as a hunter and Isaac love for wild game caused him to love the eldest son more. Esau was a man that had his good side (good before the bad). He had showed kindness to his brother Jacob, who had deceived him. (Gen 33:1-16). He helped bury his father Isaac (Gen 35:29). Despite the goodness of Esau, he did a big fundamental sin or mistake that that even led God to hate him so much Malachi 1:3. Genesis 25 to Malachi is about 1600 years apart….yet God still expresses his hatred on Esau.WHAT DID HE DO THAT IS SEEN TO BE SO EVIL EVEN BY GOD?
1. ESAU SOLD HIS BIRTHRIGHT – (vs.33)
2. ESAU DESPISED HIS BIRTHRIGHT – (vs. 34)
Advantages of Esau’s BIRTHRIGHT
1. Physical advantage to the BIRTHRIGHT. The Birthright was a double portion of the family inheritance. The amount would have been very large. We know that what he eventually received was great according to Genesis 36:6-7 that records that the family, livestock, and property of both brothers were so great that the land could not support them both. Esau should have rightfully inherited double of what he had after he sold his birthright to his brother Jacob.
2. Spiritual advantage to the BIRTHRIGHT. Esau would have become the Patriarch and Priest of the home after his father, Isaac’s death. He would have been chief of the chosen family and heir to the promise of blessing. He would have inherited the blessing of Abraham, regarding the threefold promise (Gen 28:4; 12:1-3)
The Birthright was not just a trivial moment to passed down from generation to generation, but had significant both physical and spiritual blessing that were connected to it.
What caused Esau to lose what was due to him?
1. Esau chose the SENSUAL over the SPIRITUAL (vs 30)
Esau comes in hunger and starving for food from a long day of hunting without a reward. Jacob his brother took advantage of his brother’s hunger to deal with him to sell his birthright for the stew that he has cooked, Esau, gave into the cravings of his hunger. He valued the stew more highly then his birthright. THAT WAS THE DISASTROUS MISTAKE HE EVER MADE!For that reason he was called a godless person (Heb 12:16), Godless/unholy = Greek word bebelos, “profane, unhallowed, desecrated”
- Esau chose the PRESENT over the FUTURE. He tossed away future reward for present gratification. Like Esau we are also in many circumstances challenged by present needs that may lead us into a compromise which will eventually cause us to lose the greater glory and plan that God has for us in future.
- One day Jesus was tempted to do the same in the desert by satan. He was hungry and the devil said you can make these stones bread. Jesus could have fulfilled his physical desire for food in an instance, but would have forfeited His future Glory. Esau succumbed to his flesh and forfeited his future. In a fraction of a moment a tummy was filled, but a promise was lost. Friends, let us examine ourselves this evening. Have we in any ways compromise thing or rather put our birthright in Christ at stake for anything else (lust of the flesh or whatever)? We should focus our eyes on the greater glory that is in stored for us instead of the current needs. If our focus is so much so in establishing current needs, we may lose the greater glory in stored for us. Remember! We have an outstanding and incomparable inheritance awaits for us (1 Peter 1: 3-5) – don’t trade it for anything earthly. It’s not worth to trade our Birthrights for anything else. I know of many Christians who are willing to trade their birthrights for love (relationship); some for money; some for opportunities in life. Whatever the reason it may be, don’t be stupid and godless like Esau to sell your birthright.
3. Esau despised his birthright (vs. 32 & 34)
After Esau had eaten and had his fill he regretted what he had done, but could not take it back. Do we also despise our birthright in Christ just for the pleasures of this world? Sexual immorality; idolatry – witchcraft practices etc. Despising happens when we fail to value our salvation, the done work of Christ on the cross in order to save us. We were once dead without being able to connect to our creator. Sin is all that we were able to do. But HE through HIS richest grace and mercy saved us and made us HIS own (1 Peter 2:9; Galatians 4:6-7). We were sinners destined to eternal destruction BUT through the salvation given by Christ Jesus our destiny is changed from hell to Heaven. We were once slaves to sin BUT HE made us HIS children and co-inheritance of HIS everlasting Kingdom (Galatians 4:6-7). Galatians 3:29 “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Know your birthright in Christ and learn to treasure it more than any other earthly possessions. Don’t compromise it or despise it for anything else.If we despise the grace of God and keep on sinning and profaning God’s name - We are worse than Esau. That was what Esau did. He did not value his birthright thus he despised it and exchange it for food. It was Esau’s deliberate action. Though Jacob was evil in his intention to trap his brother to hand over the birthright, Esau deliberately chosed to despise it. Thus he lost it once and forever.
Hebrews 10: 26-31 – is the outcome of those who sell or despise their birthright in Christ.
CONCLUSION
Esau made the mistake of depreciating the value of his inheritance by succumbing to the desires of the flesh. Let the story of Esau stand as a warning to us because we can also make the same mistake by not appreciating the value of our inheritance in Christ! Giving in to the allure of immediate gratification of the flesh!
