Volume 43      Number 2                                                                                  October 2000

In Hebrews 12:16-17, Esau is used as a warning to prevent us from making the fatal mistake of treating spiritual values, responsibilities and opportunities as something cheap. The inspired writer draws the attention of his readers to their high privileges and their sacred responsibilities; and at the same time he points out the fatal error of Esau, which can also cause our downfall.

Esau sold his birthright for one mess of pottage. (Gen. 25:29-34) He sold out his future for a bowl of stew in the present. He had been out in the fields on a hunting expedition. He came home famished. Jacob, his brother, was cooking a mess of red lentils.

Jacob’s behavior of acting in an northerly manner and driving a hard bargain in a time of great need cannot be condoned. It was a cruel act. On the other hand, the foolishness of Esau is equally despicable. It indicates a weakness in his character and a basic shallowness in his values. It provides us with an insight into the type of man he was.

In a moment of temporary emergency, Esau bartered off his birthright for a “pot of stew” to satisfy the hunger of his stomach. Seemingly he did not properly appreciate the privileges that went along with the birthright and therefore he thoughtlessly transferred it to Jacob for the satisfaction of a momentary need.

In selling his birthright, Esau revealed himself as a careless, shallow individual, living from hand to mouth, giving little or no thought to the higher values of the soul. He thus revealed himself to be the profane person of Heb. 12:16. He purchased the present satisfaction of an appetite at the price of something that would be of great value in the future. Later he was to regret this action, but it was too late to reverse himself. This is always the case. We can never change a choice. We can only deal with the consequences of those choices.

It is most likely true that all of us have followed in the footsteps of Esau more than we realize or would be willing to admit. Sin is so deceptive. The Evil One is so shrewd. Human nature is so weak. The pressures of our competitive and materialistic society press upon us constantly.

Esau lived for things visible and secured them by forfeiting spiritual and eternal values. It is so easy to be captivated by the trinkets and gadgets that seem so necessary in our modern day. There are those who completely neglect worship and excuse it by saying that they just have to have their rest if they are going to successfully run the rat race. Some have prospered to the extent that they have purchased a cabin or home located in the country or by a lake and they become the gods of the weekend.

Esau lived for sensual satisfaction rather than for spiritual achievement or service. His concern for the satisfaction of the hunger pains in his stomach took priority over all other considerations. This meant that his stomach was more important than his mind, his soul or the possibilities of the future promises. To consider yourself a stomach to feed and a back to clothe is to rob yourself of your highest dignity as the one who was made to walk and talk with God and to lower yourself to the level of being a mere intestine that needs clothing. Without realizing what is happening we can find ourselves treating ourselves in this manner before we know it. Our Lord said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). Sad indeed is the fate of the man who comes to think of the chief end of living in terms of having only a bowl of stew.

Esau lived only for himself without being considerate of his family. He was willing to give up the position of opportunity for rendering a needed service in exchange for a bowl of stew which was already warm instead of taking a few minutes to prepare such for himself. He did not know the meaning of self-control or discipline. He did not have any built-in controls to provide guidance in a time of emergency.

There are many today who sell their future for the fleeting pleasures of the moment. Youth who do not take advantage of study opportunities are undermining their future for the sake of some foolish pleasure of the present. Many young people, perhaps due to lack of parental training and example, sell their hopes for future purity in marriage by insisting on participating in intimacies which should be reserved only for the married. Parents who leave their young children in the care of others are trading their future for an immediate reward.

This man from the past, though he is dead, speaks to the present concerning the complete madness of flinging away greater future good for the temporary pleasures that are offered in the present.

Esau focused on his stomach and forgot about his soul. He lived for time and completely ignored eternity. He measured success in terms of the satisfactions of present appetites without regard to what was the highest and best for the future.

Esau made his fatal decision in a time of weakness and exhaustion. Temptation always comes at a time when we are most likely to yield. Our Lord was tempted when he fasted and was “hungered” (Matt. 4:2). He did not sell his birthright. We do not have to either. We were made for God and our highest possible happiness is found in reflecting His glory and grace. We should give ourselves to Him completely and constantly. May we always be found protecting our spiritual birthright as the first-born of God (Heb. 12:23) by being wary of our own “bowl of stew.”