February 3

Genesis 25:34 (NIV)
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.

We can look at Esau and criticize him but let’s look at ourselves instead. Isn’t it easier to read this account and then say, “I would never do that!” For the most part I think that is pride on our behalf. How many of us have sold our birthright for a relationship with friends or the opposite sex, or maybe just some sex? How many of us have sold our birthright for comfort or alcohol and partying? We have such an incredible birthright as children of God! We are co-heirs with Christ which means we have everything that he inherited! Have we sold the birthright of healing and miracles, of peace or joy? Those things and many others are ours to have, do we possess them? Do we claim them as ours or have we given them away because of faulty thinking? At least Esau got some food and drink for his birthright, I think there have been times in my life that I haven’t gotten anything in return except trouble! Are you hearing me?

The reason he gave away his birthright so easily was because he “despised” it in the first place or didn’t value it. He didn’t think it was that valuable! (Until his father died). We must have the right perspective of our birthright as King’s kids. We have so much at our disposal! We are like Isaac who prospered wherever he went, it was obvious to all (except for maybe Esau, who saw the blessing, but didn’t reckon it to himself) and they feared him even though he knew nothing of war. He was like a “tree planted by the water who bears its fruit in season, whose leaf doesn’t wither, whatever he does prospers”. (Psalm 1) Recognize you have a birthright and claim it. Learn what your birthright is and stand on it. Realize who gave you this birthright and what it cost, and don’t let it go to waste!