Gen. 25 Isaac had twin sons with his wife Rebekah: Esau the skillful hunter, was the first born and Jacob (the heel catcher) followed. From the time in the womb, the brothers wrestled against each other. They would become two nations warring against each other. But first a matter had to be settled: who would receive the birthright? For Esau, it was a non issue because as first born, the birthright would fall to him. His only problem was that he didn’t value what he had. Esau lived for the here and now and would easily trade his birthright for some lentil stew just to satisfy the fleshly desires. Jacob however looked much further than to the here and now. His sights were set on the future, not what would yield happiness today but what would bring lasting joy in the end. A received prize today cannot compare to the reward of tomorrow. Jacob understood that and prepared the stew that Esau would eat.
I wonder how many of us are willing to sell our inheritance for mere momentary satisfaction. God has reserved an inheritance for us that does not fade away. It is so valuable that Jesus paid for it with his own life’s blood. Why would He do that? To Jesus, you are valuable, a prize worth dying for. He did it because of His great love for you. The question we need to consider though: are we just living for the here and now satisfying our fleshly appetite, or do we desire something greater, an inheritance that has an everlasting affect? Jacob’s decision would eventually lead him to an eternal promise from God. Your decision is all that awaits.
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matt 16:26