Don't be overcome by the temptation

"29One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry. 30Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!” (This is how Esau got his other name, Edom, which means “red.”) 31“All right,” Jacob replied, “but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.” 32“Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?” 33But Jacob said, “First you must swear that your birthright is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob."   Genesis 25:29-33   NLT

Esau was the first born and therefore qualified for the double inheritance and blessing when his father, Issac  died. Jacob wasn't far behind being born, hanging onto his brother's ankle. Jacob was crafty where Esau was impulsive and shortsighted. Esau was born covered with red hair. The younger twin came out grasping Esau's ankle, so he was named Jacob, which means, 'he grasps the heel'. 

As the two children struggled inside Rebekah's womb she asked the Lord why this was happening. The Lord told her, 'The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son.'  Gen 25:23. When they were born it was as the Lord had told Rebekah .

As they grew up, Esau became a hunter preferring outdoor life, where Jacob preferred home life.  One day, Jacob was cooking a red stew when Esau came in and asked him for some of the stew because he was starving. Jacob agreed but only if Esau would sell him his birthright for it. Esau said that he was dying of starvation, what good was his birthright to him now. So Jacob took 

the birthright and at Issac's death deceived his father by saying that he was Esau for which he received his blessing.

One could say that that God ordained this, after all, scripture shows us such. However, there was lying and deceit in their actions. Esau was willing to give up everything for a bowl of stew, this was how important iit was to him. Where, Jacob and his mother, plotted and schemed for the birthright resulting in trickery. It is true that Giod ordained Jacob to receive the blessing and double inheritance, but not the way it was achieved. What God had had in mind, we don't know but, deceit and lies were not part of the deal. This was man's way of doing things.

It goes to show that we are all susceptible to bribes and dirty dealings. It comes under the heading of temptation, which holds a variety of ungodly doors to open. For the Christian, these doors should remain closed. They contain a danger on the other side of the door, one in which, devastation can easily take over. Think for a moment, is it worth it. Was it worth it for Esau to sell his birthright for a bowl of stew. He must have regretted it time and time again. But what was done, was done. There is hardly ever a chance to return to what was. 

In a nutshell, think and pray very carefully when faced with a very tempting offer. It may seem very good, a great chance of changing things, But it may carry a sting in its tail.

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now
Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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