Genesis 26:33 " And Jacob said (to Esau, his brother)...Swear to me this day...and Esau swore to him...and sold his birthright unto Jacob."
Just this week, I heard someone teach on this verse, and for me, it was life changing! I have read this passage many times, and did not fully understand the significance of it. Jacob and Esau were brothers...twins. Esau was born first, and the custom in that day was for the oldest male child to receive a double portion of the inheritance. One day, Esau came in from the field hungry, as Jacob had been in the kitchen, cooking a pot of lentil soup or stew. Esau commented that his birthright was of no profit to him, and sold it that day to Jacob...for a bowl of soup. This was huge! Esau's birthright included the future possession of the land of Canaan by his children's children, and the covenant made with Abraham . Believing Jacob valued these things. But unbelieving Esau despised them.
As born again children of God who are in Christ, we also have received an inheritance...a birthright. We have been made righteous. We have been forgiven. We are not under the law, but under Christ, who IS grace. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. We have been given love, joy and peace. We are healed. We belong to God. We are chosen, and adopted into God's family. We are holy and without blame. We are God's workmanship. We've been brought near to
God by Christ's blood. This is only part of your inheritance, beloved. There is so much more!
This week as I was pondering this verse and what it means to sell or give away, your birthright...I had an opportunity to get upset about something...a chance to worry about how something in my life might turn out. Literally, the minute I started to think about all the what ifs...I believe God spoke to me...that He has given me peace..it's part of my inheritance...part of my birthright...so why..would I want to exchange it for worry? That was it for me. In that same moment...I was free! I didn't worry again..and I won't worry again.
Beloved...worry is not part of your inheritance! Peace is! Don't give away your birthright! Don't allow temptation to knock at the door of your heart and then persuade you to give away what Jesus died to make sure you have!
Esau was the firstborn.,,he gave away his birthright for a bowl of soup. Have you noticed in the scriptures that we don't see Esau's name...when God says He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? It's because Esau gave up that right. But there was another firstborn Son. This Son came for all of us...that He might give us back our birthright. Jesus said that the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy...but He came that we might have life..and in abundance!
The word of God is alive...and it has ministered life to my soul this week. I want to live the abundant life that Jesus died to give me. I Want to walk in and fully experience the inheritance that is meant for me. I know that you do too!
I could easily look back at all the times that I have chosen worry, chosen anxiety, chosen fear...but I CHOOSE not to! I CHOOSE life! I CHOOSE to believe God! I CHOOSE to stand on the truth over what I may be experiencing! You can choose as well...so... Who's with me?