Mentoring Manna:  Birthright or Bean Soup?

© 2003 Pastor Keith Hassell

MM00094

Hebrews 12:15-17  “looking carefully . . . lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.”

            The United States has experienced the blessing of God because of its Judeo-Christian foundation. Its forefathers believed that God’s word was the foundation upon which a great society could be built.  They believed that Christians above all others had the virtues and principles necessary to preserve our society. Consider the words of John Jay, our first Supreme Court Justice: “It is the responsibility and duty of people to elect Christians to office.  If wicked men fill our offices, it is because the people put them there.”  Unfortunately, citizens have failed to heed this responsibility.  Most citizens have voted to preserve their pocketbook rather than to preserve Christian principles that will bless and strengthen our nation for generations to come.

The reason seems to be that today’s version of Christianity does not resemble that of the New Testament, or even that of our founding fathers. Unlike New Testament believers, “Christians” today profess faith in Christ on Sunday but fail to represent Christ throughout the week. Christians are called to be ambassadors for Christ.[1] As ambassadors, we do not have the right to represent and promote values of our own, but to represent and promote the values of the One who sent us. Christianity will only be Christianity as long as it represents Christ.

 Today’s version of Christianity has followed its appetites rather than Jesus. It has pandered to the flesh rather than promote the cross. Paul warned, “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is their shame---who set their mind on earthly things.”[2]  Those who set their minds on this world and seek to gratify carnal appetites are enemies of the cross. They defy everything the cross represents.  What they revel in now will become their shame. The end of all such behavior is destruction.

            Esau, the brother of Jacob, typifies the wickedness of our generation. He foolishly sold his birthright for a bowl of bean soup.[3] His birthright represented his position, inheritance, and blessing within the family.  But for the sake of fleshly indulgence, he sold out his position, inheritance, and blessing.  He chose to satisfy his belly rather than to preserve his birthright.  How sad it was when later he was unable to regain what he had sold for a cheap moment of carnal satisfaction! As believers, let us remember that God made us partakers in Christ’s birthright, inheritance, and blessing. As citizens of the United States, God has made us partakers of the Christian foundation laid by many of our forefathers. Let’s preserve what the Lord has given us in our family, in the church, and in the nation by exercising our responsibility to promote biblical principles and to choose our leaders wisely.  Let’s not be like wicked Esau who sold his birthright for a bowl of bean soup!

Application:  Is your birthright for sale?  Are you selling your future for a moment or season of selfish gratification?  Many marriages have been wrecked for the price of one night of carnal passion.  Many promising young people sell their futures for the sake of alcohol and drugs.  Many fathers sell out their children for the sake of career, hobbies, and friends. Many Christians sell the future of their country by voting for what is politically correct, convenient, and comfortable rather than for what is morally right and biblically sound.  Others sell their soul to the devil for a fleeting life of worldly treasure, pleasure, fame, and success. Learn from Esau.  Esteem your eternal birthright and walk away from this world’s bean pot before its too late.

Prayer:  “Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I was inclined to sell out my relationship with Christ for a moment of sinful pleasure. Forgive me for not esteeming the position, inheritance, and blessing that You have given me in Christ. I choose to cling to what is good and to turn from what is evil.  I choose to walk away now and forever from everything that has come to rob me. I pray and declare this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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[1] 2 Corinthians 5:20

[2] Philippians 3:18-19 NKJV

[3] Genesis 25:29-34