Remember trading as a kid? You know, trading this pencil for this eraser in school? Trading a friend this shirt for that shirt? This piece of candy for a piece of gum? Remember “trading cards?” Pokemon cards? In all these cases, you exchange something you don’t want for something you really want. Trading something you value less for something you value more.
We’ve all traded something for something. Maybe even something for nothing. Think about your trades. Have you ever regretted the trade? What you got is not what you thought it was? When you got it, it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. What you traded was more valuable than what you traded for?
What’s she talking about you say? I read this week in Genesis about Esau and Jacob. This got me thinking about trading. I’ve been thinking all week about my birthright and what I would trade for it?
You may have heard about this famous trade. This story about Esau and Jacob, the sons of Isaac and Rebekah.
One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home exhausted and hungry from a hunt. Esau said to Jacob: “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew you’ve made.” Jacob replied, Al right, but trade me your birthright for it.” “Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?” So Jacob insisted, “Well then, swear to me right now that it is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the first born to his younger brother. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Genesis 25:27-33
Aaaah…the coveted birthright. The subject of many a family feud. As I understand it, the value of what Esau traded was not insignificant. As the eldest son of Isaac and Rebekah, Esau’s birthright would have been substantial. According to law and custom, Esau would have received a double portion of all of Isaac’s possessions, and they were plentiful. He would also have received authority as the eldest child in the family. As part of these substantial possessions and authority, Esau would have stood to inherit the functions of the priesthood in the family, and the covenant promise of God. Do you see what he traded for some beans and bread? Do you see how huge this is? Check this out:
The Lord stood saying: I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I will give it to you and your descendants. Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will cover the land from east to west and from north to south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants… Genesis 28:13-14
Do you know who the Lord was talking to? Jacob. Do you know who the Lord should have been talking to? Esau. Esau blew it – big time! Esau traded authority, possessions and most importantly the covenant promise of God. The covenant promise first made to Abraham, then to Isaac, and then to Jacob. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob each had to establish a personal relationship with God in order to receive the covenant promise, however, for a measly bowl of soup, Esau blew the opportunity. Do you see how huge this is? Hold on tight and follow me:
This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of King David and of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac.
Isaac was the father of Jacob.
Jacob was the father of Judah and his brother
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David was the father of Soloman
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Matthan was the father of Jacob.
Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Mary was the mother of Jesus, who is called the Messiah.
Matthew 1:1-16
DO YOU SEE THAT? I am so excited!!! It’s the ultimate Treasure Hunt for the Kingdom! Keep following:
And I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and unroll it?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it. Then I wept because no one could be found who was worthy to open the scroll and read it. But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has conquered. He is worthy to open the scroll and break its seven seals. Revelations 5:1-5
The fulfillment of God’s covenant promise made to Jacob:
And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and though shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south; and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
Genesis 28:14
Esau traded his birthright and The Messiah descended from Jacob, not from Esau. God’s got a plan.
I am a child of God. Adopted by God, through Jesus Christ. That is my birthright. That is your birthright. Don’t trade your birthright for anything, because then you will have nothing. Go ahead — accept the blessing.