10/09/12

Losing all for something insignificant

Hebrew 12:16 - Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.


Paul uses a beautiful example of Esau to describe how people lose all for something insignificant. For this we need to understand he scriptures Paul in referring to in his letter (Genesis 25:27-34).

In Genesis 25:27 Esau is described as 'a cunning hunter, a man of the field'. If we expand the meanings of the Hebrew words it means a person having good knowledge and ability to make provisions (not having any lacking in ability to get ones needs met) that would means not only by hunting but also farming, a person who knows the world and how to 'live' in this world.

On the other hand Jacob was described as 'plain man, dwelling in tents'. It did not mean he really lived in tents for he live in the same house as Esau and their parents. The words mean a simple man having not much desires and one for whom it did not matter where he lived, a person not attached to any land, property or worldly things. In other words Jacob was a sober man with not materialistic desires.

We see in the scripture that Esau comes from work and is exhausted. He over reacts on his tiredness and gives away his birthright for just a bowl of soup. His birthright did not primarily mean property or riches; birthright was the right to carry the name of the family. Esau in his exaggeration said that his tiredness would kill him then what would be the use of having a right to the family name when he is not alive. Surely Esau would have not died if he had not eaten but by his inability to control his small desire he lost his birthright.

In today's message the Lord is telling us we have received a birthright from the Lord Jesus Christ to hold the Name of the Lord as Israel - the Sons of God. This Name is no ordinary name; it has power over everything living that has been created. But we for small insignificant desires of our flesh like Esau give away our birthright so that we can satisfy them. Like Esau these desires are not something that we cannot control or something that will kill us but since we over exaggerate our desires we fall prey to them. That is why the Lord says only when we have the Truth in us we will truly discern desires and thus do not fall prey to sin.

Like Esau we are worldly wise people and people who believe in the ability to exist or make our lives. We need to be like Jacob a person who is sober, satisfied in simple things and not materialistic. Being Jacob will help us to value things in its true worthiness.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, help us not to be like Esau, worldly smart people who believe in one's own ability. Help us be sober in our lives like Jacob whom You loved. He had not longing for worldly things but knew what is truly valuable and what to desire for. Lord, we pray we do not lose our rights to Heaven for our in ability to control the insignificant temptations that come our way...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Genesis 25:27-34
27 And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.
28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.
29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

1 Thessalonians 5:6-10
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)