During the time of the Old Testament, God had a special claim on the firstborn of every Israelite. In every family, the firstborn had to be consecrated to God and he will have the great privilege of owning double portion of his father’s possession. Apart from that he will also have the privilege of priesthood where he will be offering sacrifices, intercessory prayers and perform general religious functions.
Abraham had a son named Isaac. Isaac’s wife Rebekah was barren and Isaac prayed to God on behalf of her. God answered Isaac’s prayer with two sons. Starting from the womb, the struggle between the two sons had begun; they were jostling each other inside Rebekah’s womb. The Lord then told Rebekah that two nations are in her womb and they will be separated, one will be stronger and the older one will serve the younger.
Then came the birth of the two sons Jacob and Esau. Esau came out first followed by Jacob. But the unusual part was Jacob came out grasping Esau’s heel. This account can be seen from many views but one of it is that most probably Jacob wanted to be first for maybe he knew in the spirit within him the privilege of the birthright.
The Bible did not give detailed account of Jacob and Esau’s life. Then one day while Jacob was cooking some stew Esau came to Jacob saying, “Quick! Let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” Esau probably was reduced to extreme hunger after his hunting out in the open country and he badly wanted to eat. Jacob then saw an opportunity to scheme and he told Esau, “First sell me your birthright.” Esau replied, “Look, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?” and he swore an oath to Jacob. Esau ate and drank, and then he left.
The Bible records in Genesis 25:34 saying: So Esau despised his birthright.
The scheming ways of Jacob didn’t end there. When his father was about to die and he was blind Jacob again took the opportunity to scheme to get his father’s blessing which was meant for Esau the older child. Since his father was blind, Jacob tricked his father in believing that he was Esau and his father then blessed Jacob thinking he was Esau.
These are the two accounts of Jacob being “wise” enough to use trickery to gain the things he wanted; first the birthright from Esau and second the blessing that was meant for Esau.
Jacob fled from Esau for many years and one day decided to return. While Jacob was about to reenter Canaan land he met a “man” which he later realized was God and wrestled with Him. God encountered Jacob in such a form that Jacob could wrestle with Him and empower Him but yet God showed Jacob that God was still stronger. He told God that he will not let God go unless God bless him. Right then Jacob finally acknowledged that his blessing should come from God. God gave him a new name – Israel.
What we could really see from here apart from God’s divine plan and intervention in the life of Jacob is that Jacob knew the importance of the things of God.
Jacob knew the privilege of the birthright, Jacob knew the importance of the blessings of a father and he knew and realized that the ultimate blessing he should have is from God. That was why he wrestled with God and did not want to let go until he was bless by God.
Now let us ask ourselves are we like Jacob in any sense or are we more like Esau? Esau couldn’t care less about his birthright (the things of God) and wanted the stew (the things of the world). Jacob was willing to give up the stew (the things of the world) for Esau’s birthright (the things of God).
Like Jacob, do we care to “wrestle” with God to get the things God wants to give us? Are we desperate enough to not let go off God until we get the things of God?
What is sad is because I see around me people who are so attached to the world. Whatever plans we make, we make it with much care so that it will “secure” us a good future and life on earth. Regardless of age, most and many of us will only care about excelling in the world (which is not wrong) and striving to get as much money as we can (which is not wrong either). But the problem is see everywhere is that a lot of Christians could not care less about the things of God! We Christians aim only to get a well paid job buy beautiful houses and cars and make a point to attend church every Sunday and give tithes every month and probably “serve” in church IF ONLY we have some free time to spare. Apart from that we do not bother to really press in and seek to know God’s REAL PURPOSE for our lives.
Many of us are just like Esau who do not realize the importance of the things of God and would so easily give up God for something as cheap as a stew! It is really time we wake up and get desperate to wrestle with God and do not let go until God tells us HIS purpose for our lives!
If we want to see a change in this nation, don’t just stand up and pray like we are really desperate for a change. Instead, do something! And we could start with trading our plans and desires for God’s plans and desires.
My strongest conviction in life is this:
My life is not mine for the taking, but God’s for the using.
I pray that it will be your conviction too.
Matthew 6:33
But see first his kingdom and his righteousness
and all these things will be given to you as well.
His kingdom simply meaning God’s rule in your life and his righteousness meaning a right relationship with God and with our fellow brothers and sisters.
God Bless,
Zlwin Chew
Abraham had a son named Isaac. Isaac’s wife Rebekah was barren and Isaac prayed to God on behalf of her. God answered Isaac’s prayer with two sons. Starting from the womb, the struggle between the two sons had begun; they were jostling each other inside Rebekah’s womb. The Lord then told Rebekah that two nations are in her womb and they will be separated, one will be stronger and the older one will serve the younger.
Then came the birth of the two sons Jacob and Esau. Esau came out first followed by Jacob. But the unusual part was Jacob came out grasping Esau’s heel. This account can be seen from many views but one of it is that most probably Jacob wanted to be first for maybe he knew in the spirit within him the privilege of the birthright.
The Bible did not give detailed account of Jacob and Esau’s life. Then one day while Jacob was cooking some stew Esau came to Jacob saying, “Quick! Let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” Esau probably was reduced to extreme hunger after his hunting out in the open country and he badly wanted to eat. Jacob then saw an opportunity to scheme and he told Esau, “First sell me your birthright.” Esau replied, “Look, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?” and he swore an oath to Jacob. Esau ate and drank, and then he left.
The Bible records in Genesis 25:34 saying: So Esau despised his birthright.
The scheming ways of Jacob didn’t end there. When his father was about to die and he was blind Jacob again took the opportunity to scheme to get his father’s blessing which was meant for Esau the older child. Since his father was blind, Jacob tricked his father in believing that he was Esau and his father then blessed Jacob thinking he was Esau.
These are the two accounts of Jacob being “wise” enough to use trickery to gain the things he wanted; first the birthright from Esau and second the blessing that was meant for Esau.
Jacob fled from Esau for many years and one day decided to return. While Jacob was about to reenter Canaan land he met a “man” which he later realized was God and wrestled with Him. God encountered Jacob in such a form that Jacob could wrestle with Him and empower Him but yet God showed Jacob that God was still stronger. He told God that he will not let God go unless God bless him. Right then Jacob finally acknowledged that his blessing should come from God. God gave him a new name – Israel.
What we could really see from here apart from God’s divine plan and intervention in the life of Jacob is that Jacob knew the importance of the things of God.
Jacob knew the privilege of the birthright, Jacob knew the importance of the blessings of a father and he knew and realized that the ultimate blessing he should have is from God. That was why he wrestled with God and did not want to let go until he was bless by God.
Now let us ask ourselves are we like Jacob in any sense or are we more like Esau? Esau couldn’t care less about his birthright (the things of God) and wanted the stew (the things of the world). Jacob was willing to give up the stew (the things of the world) for Esau’s birthright (the things of God).
Like Jacob, do we care to “wrestle” with God to get the things God wants to give us? Are we desperate enough to not let go off God until we get the things of God?
What is sad is because I see around me people who are so attached to the world. Whatever plans we make, we make it with much care so that it will “secure” us a good future and life on earth. Regardless of age, most and many of us will only care about excelling in the world (which is not wrong) and striving to get as much money as we can (which is not wrong either). But the problem is see everywhere is that a lot of Christians could not care less about the things of God! We Christians aim only to get a well paid job buy beautiful houses and cars and make a point to attend church every Sunday and give tithes every month and probably “serve” in church IF ONLY we have some free time to spare. Apart from that we do not bother to really press in and seek to know God’s REAL PURPOSE for our lives.
Many of us are just like Esau who do not realize the importance of the things of God and would so easily give up God for something as cheap as a stew! It is really time we wake up and get desperate to wrestle with God and do not let go until God tells us HIS purpose for our lives!
If we want to see a change in this nation, don’t just stand up and pray like we are really desperate for a change. Instead, do something! And we could start with trading our plans and desires for God’s plans and desires.
My strongest conviction in life is this:
My life is not mine for the taking, but God’s for the using.
I pray that it will be your conviction too.
Matthew 6:33
But see first his kingdom and his righteousness
and all these things will be given to you as well.
His kingdom simply meaning God’s rule in your life and his righteousness meaning a right relationship with God and with our fellow brothers and sisters.
God Bless,
Zlwin Chew
PS. Yes, that picture above was taken by me =) Saw the rainbow? Look carefully.
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