Now Jacob cooked some stew, and when Esau came in from the open fields, he was famished. So Esau said to Jacob, “Feed me some of the red stuff—yes, this red stuff—because I’m starving!” (That is why he was also called Edom.)
But Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” “Look,” said Esau, “I’m about to die! What use is the birthright to me?” But Jacob said, “Swear an oath to me now.” So Esau swore an oath to him and sold his birthright to Jacob.
Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew; Esau ate and drank, then got up and went out. So Esau despised his birthright. Genesis 25:29-34
New English Translation
From our perspective, that seems like a pretty dumb choice on Esau’s part. I mean, a bowl of soup for the rights to a larger portion of inheritance. Sounds almost like trading a cow for magical beans. However, we can’t be too quick to judge.
We may not have the firstborn rights as children of God since Jesus is the firstborn, but according to scripture we do share in the inheritance with Jesus.
For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before him in love. He did this by predestining us to adoption as his legal heirs through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will— to the praise of the glory of his grace that he has freely bestowed on us in his dearly loved Son. Ephesians 1:4-6
New English Translation
God chose to give us an eternal inheritance, that is the promise of eternal life and salvation through Jesus. In my opinion, that’s even better than a firstborn’s birthright.
We can’t judge Esau because time and again we throw away our inheritance for something just as silly as him choosing a bowl of soup. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24 that you cannot serve two masters. That means that you can’t chase after worldly things and chase after God. It’s not possible.
There are so many things that can be push God out of His rightful place in your life. A career can become overly important. A relationship can shove Him out of the way for numerous reasons. Friends can take His place in directing your life. Family can cause you to go against the word of God because “you love them.” Greed can become the desires of one’s heart rather than the love of God. There are just so many options. We’re so quick to shake our heads and say, “Esau was such an idiot,” when we’re just as ready to throw away our inheritance for simple things of this world, too.
What’s the one thing in this world that you put the most time and effort into? Is it your relationship with Jesus? Or are you throwing that aside in exchange for something else? We all do it, what matters is if we’re willing to give up the things of this world. Just like we are able to choose serving those worldly things over serving Jesus, we can choose serving Jesus over worldly things.
Sure, we make bad choices now and again, but what matters is whether you are willing to let go of those old ways and take up new ways. Remember, you’re not doing this on your own. Cry out to God and He is ready and willing to help you.
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you—yes, I help you—yes, I uphold you with my victorious right hand! Isaiah 41:10
The Lord strengthens and protects me; I trust in him with all my heart. I am rescued and my heart is full of joy; I will sing to him in gratitude. Psalm 28:7
New English Translation
Scripture time and again talks about God as a helper and rescuer. He’s still the same God. He never changed. And we can still rejoice in the fact that He is helping and rescuing us. Trying to “fix” yourself on your own is never going to work. We have a helper for a reason, let Him help you.