Know Your Birthright

Hebrews 12:15-17 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears.
 
THIS is about knowing what is essential. Focus your life on God’s grace. It is by his grace you have been saved through faith (Ephesians 2:5b).  Treasure his salvation. No worldly possession is worth selling your soul for quick physical pleasure.  
   Sensual pleasure is the bitter root of all sin, isn’t it? Esau learned that. He was Rebekah’s and Isaac’s older twin son. His firstborn status gave him the honor to receive the family’s birthright. That meant Esau was to inherit a double portion of his father’s estate. He would become the highest authority of the family. Also, he would be the family’s spiritual leader. Is this not worth savoring and protecting? Surely he could have waited for lunch!
   But with one simple meal of red stew, Esau sold the promise to his brother Jacob. After all, he was hungry: “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” 31 Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” 32 “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” (Genesis 25:30-32)
   Quick, impulsive and destructive, Esau, the strong, experienced hunter, was pierced with the arrows of instant gratification. From this bitter root of rejected birthright grew a dividing wall between the brothers. Esau’s hatred and jealousy threatened Jacob’s life. Jacob fled to Rebekah’s homeland.
   We can look to Esau as we look to Adam and Eve and to others in Scripture who suspended God’s law to enact their own desires. Their rash actions to satisfy physical desire is the cradle and nursery of human sin. They were not satisfied. With bounty as their rightful gift from God, an immediate hunger destroyed the eternal blessing.
   God has graciously given us particular laws to guard our hearts and protect our bodies. But our nature is to say, “I need it now.” We disdain his gift, so we can satisfy our momentary passions. Sin’s bitter root grows very large doesn’t it? What heartache there is when we realize our sin. There is no returning to the scene to undo it.
   But God can undo it in your heart. In our guilt and regret, we can return to the assurance of Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  
   The LORD redeems a repentant heart. He removes sin’s bitter root and transforms your life into a fruitful vine that is one with Jesus. (John 15) In Jesus you will know what is essential. You will focus your life on God’s grace to save you. You will resist temptation because you know your birthright. Since you are his child, God has made you his heir. (Galatians 4:7)