Gen 25:27-34 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents. Now Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. When Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field & he was famished; & Esau said to Jacob, “Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished.” Therefore his name was called Edom. But Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.” Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?” & Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore to him, & sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread & lentil stew; & he ate & drank, & rose & went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. — Esau traded his birthright for a bowl of stew! Quote Wikipedia, one of John Capgrave’s sermons, c1452, “A mess of pottage is something immediately attractive but of little value taken foolishly and carelessly in exchange for something more distant and perhaps less tangible but immensely more valuable.”—Have you ever taken an account of the things in life being traded for some small pleasures for today? Do you see in the story of Esau that he even thinks that if he does not get this stew, then he will die! What is controlling or driving you to do the things for short term gain? What are the things that you think that you have got to have? It is better to take into account the long term vs the short! Also consider the importance of the action & the final outcome! Quote, Jon Dyer, “If you allow your appetite to get strong enough for the pleasures of this world, you will be tempted to cash in the riches and fullness of Christ for a morsel of temporary happiness.”— It is time that we think about the choices we make! Love Mel
