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In Biblical times the birthright of the first born son was a precious commodity. The first born son was entitled to several special privileges. Upon the death of his father, the firstborn son would receive a double-portion of his father's wealth (Deut. 21:17). Also, he would receive a special blessing from his father that the rest of his siblings would not receive (Gen. 27:27). The leadership of the family would fall upon his shoulders (Gen. 43:43).
The father of the firstborn could not, by law, give the rights to another (Deut. 21:15-17). However, the firstborn could lose his rights. Reuben, the son of Israel, lost his rights because of his immoral relationship with his father's concubine (Gen. 35:22; I Chr. 5;1,2). The most dramatic story that demonstrates the forfeiture of one's birthright is that of Esau.
In the twenty-fifth chapter of the book of Genesis, we read of how Esau treated his prized possession profanely. After a long day in the field, Esau came in famished. His brother Jacob had just "cooked a stew" (Gen. 25:29). Hungry Esau then agreed to sell his birthright for some. The text says "Thus Esau despised his birthright" (Gen. 25:34).
What Esau did would be comparable to a man mortgaging his future for a hamburger or a millionaire giving away his fortune for only one meal. The Hebrew writer stated that Esau sold his birthright for "one morsel of food" (Heb. 12:16). Unbelievable! How could anyone be so shallow, so carnal and worldly, so careless with something so precious?
When we consider what Esau did, should we really be surprised? People are doing the same thing today with something more precious than a birthright. Jesus points out to us that the soul of man is his most precious commodity (Mk. 8:36,37). However, people are willing to forfeit having a right relationship with the Lord over things that aren't any more valuable than a bowl of soup. People are willing to forfeit their souls for recreation, for job, for carnal pleasure, for earthly relationships, for money, for treasure or whatever it is, that at least at the time, seems so important. However, all these things perish with the using (Mt. 6:19,20). Why is it that people value the temporal over the eternal? Why is it that so many times people are willing to sell their souls for things that value wise do not even compare? Perhaps, like Esau, they don't see the big picture. They don't realize how short life is (Jas. 4:13,14; Ps. 144:4) and how unending eternity is. Instant gratification is the rule of the day, yet the wise individual will store up treasure that will last (Mt. 6;19-21; I Pet. 1:3,4).
The legacy of Esau lives on. He has gone down in the annals of history as a "profane person" (Heb. 12:16). However, he will not be the last. Let us beware that we never settle for "stew" when salvation can be ours. Which one will you choose?
By Bill Burk
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