Don’t Make This Mistake!

So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights…

Genesis 25:33 NLT

In children’s games like go fishing or monopoly, I was taught at a young age that I can make a bad trade. Causing me to lose the game. My worldly life is filled with trading and selling. I have been taught to think about my trade out. The mistake of making the wrong choice happens over and over again in Scripture. And today, many people still get it wrong and don’t take the trade out seriously.

Consider this example from Scripture…

One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry. Esau 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”). “All right,” Jacob replied, “but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.” “Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?” But 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. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn (Genesis 25:29-34 NLT).

This Old Testament message teaches a very valuable truth.

The bottom line is the enemy will try to tempt me with worldly pleasures, so I won’t go through the spiritual door to serve the Lord. Scripture teaches me not to trade my eternal inheritance for a simple, worldly thing like the life of ease and comfort today. In my earthly life, it may be a little uncomfortable to follow Jesus… and that is okay! Learn from Esau’s mistake. Accept the Lord’s invitation to follow and serve Him. Think of the eternal gain. Jesus will lead you to your rightful inheritance.

Father, in the quiet of my heart You speak to me whispering, “Child, on this earth, you will be tempted to reject life with Me and accept a life that looks easier and more comfortable. Be careful to make the right choice.” Lord, help me to always consider eternity and to live life with You! Life with You will lead me away from worldliness and to the open spiritual door, leading to my eternal inheritance. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Stacy A. Davis