Hasty and Foolish

"When Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished; and Esau said to Jacob, 'Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished.' Therefore his name was called Edom. But Jacob said, 'First sell me your birthright.' Esau said, 'Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?' And Jacob said, 'First swear to me'; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright." -Genesis 25.29-34

Esau comes in from the field after one of his outings, and he's hungry. He asks his brother for some of the stew that he's made, but we see a brotherly rivalry unfold. No doubt this has gone on for years, but now Jacob raises the stakes. Sure I'll give you some stew, but first I want your birthright. Esau was the first born of these two twins, and so the large part of the inheritance would go to him when his father died. And it was a significant chunk.

I've had lentil stew like Jacob made. It's bland as all get out, and I can't imagine giving anyone a dime for it, and yet Esau foolishly, and hastily trades his birth right for a bowl and some bread. He gives no thought to what he is giving up, he's only thinking about the momentary satisfaction and indulgence, that ultimately wasn't worth it.

Men, it's so easy to get caught up and make a decision like Esau did. The one drink that you vowed never to take turns into two, then when life gets hard, then it consumes you. The receptionist at work, it starts with a smile, then some casual flirting, and then one day you wake up next to her while your wife is at home getting the kids breakfast. That one moment where we make a hasty decision and don't look at the long term effects, ends up being foolishness that costs us big time. And just as lentil stew is nothing compared to a birth right, the momentary enjoyment is nothing compared to the life you're giving up.

Men, don't be hasty, and don't be foolish. Be rational and wise. Keep your guard up at all times. And don't sacrifice the future for a moment.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor