A Bowl of Soup

Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country,

famished. He said to Jacob, "Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!"... Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright."

"Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is a birthright to me?" But Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore an oath to him, 
selling his birthright to Jacob.

Genesis 25:29-33

I read this passage recently and it won't let me go. Jacob, opportunistic, steals his brother's birthright. How could one brother do that to another? Horrible. Weak, spiritually and/or physically, Esau caves in. He eats the stew and regrets the decision the rest of his life. Genesis 25:34 says, "So Esau despised his birthright."

I can't imagine loving my brothers so little -- taking from them what is rightfully theirs. It would be like walking into my brother's home and taking his kids as my own. Or selling his wife. Unimaginable! 

But it's Esau's choice that really haunts me. He sold his birthright -- a double portion of his father's inheritance and the role of patriarch of the family. Remember, his daddy was Isaac, the firstborn son of Abraham. He had land, lots of land. Livestock. Camels. Concubines. Servants. Wealth. Esau was the firstborn son of the firstborn son. He would have become patriarch of the entire clan. He would have become the great-great-great-great (X24 or more) grandfather of Jesus. 

He gave it all away. For a bowl of soup.

Like Esau, God has a birthright for each of us. He created our inmost being, fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:13-14). He has a plan for our lives, a plan to give us hope and a future. (Jer. 29:11). Yet, we, like Esau, give up that plan for nothing more than a bowl of soup.

God blesses us with academic skill. Instead of applying ourselves, we settle for "good enough."

God blesses us with physical talent. We give it up for a twinkie.

God blesses us with His Word. We give it up -- never opening the Bible to read.

God blesses us with a wonderful marriage. We give it up, investing instead in television, the golf course, hanging out with friends after work, pornography, selfish anger or facebook.

God blesses us financially. We decide it's not enough. We give up God's blessing and reach for our own, ultimately drowning in debt. For what? A few extra pieces of clothes in the closet. Dinner out because we just don't want to cook. A brand new car to keep up appearances.

Every day, we make choices like Esau. We choose here and now. Never giving the future a chance.

We have another choice. We can choose to seek God's will for our life. 

Paul wrote, "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." (1 Cor. 9:24-27)

Instead of giving in to the here and now, we can keep our eyes focused on God. The plan He has for us. The life He desires for us. He has given us a wonderful birthright. He gave us Jesus. 

Isn't life in Christ worth more than a bowl of soup?