“AND Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.” vv. 33, 34.
Because of Esau’s light esteem for that which he should have held dearly, God later called him a “profane person” and warned lest any should follow his way in despising heavenly things promised by God to all who will heed His Word.
How sad, but true, that the natural heart does not value the things of God, and allows present things to have a stronger appeal than the richest promises concerning the future. Unsaved one, dare you trifle with eternity by placing all your confidence, your mind’s attention and your heart’s affection on today’s “mess of pottage” — blinding your eyes and conscience to the claims of God, because you would rather have the world’s pleasures for the moment? Esau, at a later date, was to shed tears of remorse as a result of his foolish act, although at the moment well satisfied with his bargain.
Through faith in Him every believer becomes a joint-heir with Christ and will be brought into an “inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away.” 1 Pet. 1:44To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (1 Peter 1:4). Is it not extreme foolishness to forego such an inheritance for a mess of this world’s pottage? May God enable each reader to look onward to the end and not exchange the glories of an eternity with Christ for the brief and fleeting attractions of this world. It is recorded of Moses, who had all the pleasures of Egypt at his command, that he chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.” Heb. 11:25, 2625Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. (Hebrews 11:25‑26).
The lentils Jacob cooked were red in color and it was through Esau’s folly in paying so dear a price for them that he acquired another name — Edom — which means “red.” The race that came after him bore the same name, being called “Edomites.” Thus the mark of folly was never erased. The Edomites speak solemnly of those who have known the truth of God’s promises, but who have never accepted them in faith, preferring the ways of this world. Such often have an outward form of religious observance, but because they walk in their own ways rather than in faith of God’s Word, they have no promise of eternal life. The Lord Jesus has solemnly said of such: “Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord. Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt. 7:21, 2321Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21)
23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:23).
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