In the ancient world, the first born son got all of the perks. He received the father's blessing, which meant he would assume the rights of spiritual leader of the family, and would receive all of the financial rewards along with that important title. This meant that Esau was destined to rule and to be rich. One day, after Esau was exhausted from being outdoors, he was famished. Jacob was cooking some lentil stew. Esau asked his brother if he could have some of the lentil stew. But Jacob said that he would only give his brother the stew if Esau agreed to sell his "birthright" to Jacob. Well, Esau agreed to surrender his birthright to Jacob, and then he ate the stew and left (Genesis 25:34).
Seems harmless, right? However, at that moment, the Bible says that Esau "despised his birthright." Esau traded in something very valuable for a temporary relief of his hunger. What are you hungry for? An inappropriate relationship? A great paying job where you have to compromise your values? Popularity? Acceptance? Whatever it is, it isn't worth trading in something valuable that God has already given you. What is valuable? Our integrity. Our sexual purity. Our word. Our family. Our marriage. Satan wants for all of us to trade in these valuables for temporary pleasures that ultimately lead to eternal death. He's the master deceiver, and he'll stop at nothing to lure us into doing something that we'll surely regret later in life.
The Bible warns and encourages to be careful about sin and temptation:
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." -
1 Corinthians 10:13
"Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted" - Hebrews 2:18
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." - James 4:7
REMEMBER ... GOD WANTS YOU!!!!
