Daily Devotion, January 3, 2023

 

Devotion:

Read Genesis 25:27-34.

A birthright was a special honor given to the firstborn son. It included a double portion of the family inheritance along with the honor of one day becoming the family’s leader.

Esau, as the oldest, was to receive the honor of the birthright. Jacob jumped at this opportunity to rule over his brother.  When his brother was tired, hungry and thirsty, he said to him that the price of the stew was his birthright. “Sell me your birthright for a bowl of my stew.” Jacob gave Esau a bowl of stew and some bread and we read that Esau ate and drank and he rose and went on his way with no more thought about what he had just done.

We read, “Thus Esau despised his birthright.” This word translated “despised" is a word that means “to show contempt or to think lightly of something.” 

Esau regarded his birthright to be of little value. Evidently, he did not consider being God’s child a thing of value.

Now Esau was friendly, a good hunter, and a man who loved his father. He would have made a fine neighbor—but he was not interested in the things of God. We should learn from Esau that the blessing of eternal life is much more important than the temporary blessings or pleasures of this life on earth. 

We have a blessing that far outweighs anything here on earth, so let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Personal Worship Option:

Make sure today that you are putting nothing ahead of your personal relationship with God. Commit to overcoming temporary pleasures that take you away from Christ and commit to making him first place in your life.