INTERESTING FACTS : The entire Bible has 1189 chapters

 

Daily Reading : [GENESIS 25-27]

 

TEXT : Gen 25:32  And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? Gen 25:33  And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Gen 25:34  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.

 

THEME : APOSTASY

 

Here in chapters 25 – 27, two more of the Bible's famous characters – Esau and Jacob - appear. Twins by birth, the Lord tells Rebekah that she has two "nations" in her womb – Esau the progenitor of the Edomites, and Jacob the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. Through Jacob's faith as we will see later, he has his name changed to Israel, which means - "he will rule as God." Jacob earned this title due to his great faith in refusing to let go of the Angel he wrestled. Until God blessed him, he would not let go.

 

Truly, as different as Esau and Jacob are in the natural – Esau is hairy, and Jacob is "smooth" – they are in spirit. Esau sells his birthright for a momentary need, and Jacob learns how to seize his brother's blessing and obtain what should have belonged to him. Many are confused when they observe Jacob, thinking he was cunning and a thief. However, the Bible holds him as a great man of faith, and I believe the more accurate view of Jacob would be to see his fortitude and tenacity in going after the blessing of God – no matter what. Again, some will argue that we should not behave as Jacob did because it is not "fair." Yet, Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent "take it by force." Further, Jesus always commended great faith saying of a Roman centurion, that he never found such great faith in Israel. Christ praised the Shunnamite woman as well when she refused to let Jesus say "no" when it came to healing her daughter. Told that He should not give the "children's food" to "dogs" [a metaphor of Israel and the Gentiles], she insisted that even the dogs lap up the crumbs from the table of their owners. Jesus was astonished at the lack of faith among the Jews, and how much faith he found among the Gentiles.

 

Therefore, I believe the proper view of Jacob is that he had a spiritual attitude that he would gain the blessing of God at "any cost," though some would not see him that way. Anyway, we read how he convinces Esau to sell him his birthright, and later pretends to be his brother on Isaac's deathbed and receives both the blessing and the birthright. Jacob wanted whatever God would give, and he proves this throughout his life. Esau, on the other hand, in selling the birthright, stands as a warning to us never to "sell out" in our walk with Christ.

 

TRUTH FOR TODAY : STAYING STEADFAST IN THE FAITH

 

As Sodom forever prompts us to remember the high cost of immorality and distain for God's law, so Esau epitomizes the believer who turns away from the faith for the small gain he or she may receive in this world. In the twelfth chapter of the Book of Hebrews, we have an urging to accept the discipline and chastening of the Lord, since it works in us an eternal good. We must also straighten our paths and refresh our weary limbs, so we finish the walk we started with the Lord. Jesus said we must endure to the end. Therefore, the writer of Hebrews tells us to -

 

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears." [Heb. 12:14-17]

 

We must not be like Esau who sold his inheritance for a temporary benefit. We must continue to grow in holiness, without which we shall not see the Lord. In the Old as well as the New Testament, God encourages us to "be holy, for I am holy." Notice that Esau wanted to get back his birthright but could not though he cried bitterly. Jesus said that Hell would have countless people weeping and gnashing their teeth without reprieve. We must not presume on the grace of God, but remain faithful so we receive a full reward. God, it is said in the Psalms, "daily loads us with benefits." Why would anyone want to turn from Him? Truly, it is better to be right with God and rejected by man, than to be accepted by man, and rejected by God. Therefore, let us press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.