by Jeanie | Mar 24, 2021 | Uncategorised
Hello Friend,
This is a bit of a long one but let’s plow on, shall we?
Gen 25:29-34
29 One day Jacob was cooking stew when Esau arrived home exhausted from the hunt.
30 Esau: “Boy, am I starved! Give me a bite of that red stuff there!” (From this came his nickname “Edom,” which means “Red Stuff.”)
31 Jacob: “All right, trade me your birthright for it!”
32 Esau: “When a man is dying of starvation, what good is his birthright?”
33 Jacob: “Well then, vow to God that it is mine!” And Esau vowed, thereby selling all his eldest-son rights to his younger brother.
34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread, peas, and stew; so he ate and drank and went on about his business, indifferent to the loss of the rights he had thrown away.
Birthright is the right or privilege that one is entitled to at birth. In the bible, this is a favoured position belonging to the first born, and comprised a double share of all his father’s properties and assets.
After the death of the patriarch, the first born or heir would take over as head of the family and look after the family property, thus assuming responsibility of the siblings and widows. In essence, he had power and authority over the rest.
There are instances, however, where this right was diverted. The stories of Esau, Reuben, Ishmael, Shimri, and Solomon, are a few examples. Today, I want us to glean some lessons from the life of Esau.
Be careful what you do when tired
Life happens and must go on, and so jobs must be done, and callings, fulfilled. This is not without the added complexity that change brings. I’m talking about changes attributable to health, finances, relationships, migration, work, business, global dilemmas, and of course, a pandemic. The challenges that come with any of these are tough enough to drain and exhaust even the strongest of people.
From the above account, we can deduct that Esau didn’t particularly have a good day. He was good at his craft, hardworking, and committed, and yet had nothing to show for it. No game! What do you do when you’ve toiled night and day, and yet there is no catch? What else can you, when it seems your best is not good enough?
Should he have slept it off, but what if he had such a belly-aching and unquenchable hunger that only a meal could satisfy? Should he have mustered up some strength to fix a meal? But then how could he, since he had caught nothing? And what about his mom’s kitchen? Well, considering that he wasn’t Rebecca’s favourite, his chances were slim. How about Dad? Isaac would mainly eat whatever Rebecca dished, so we’ve come full circle. Oh, but there might have been neighbours. True, however could Esau have made it there, considering the nearest might have been a long way away? What if he delayed his gratification and created a unique opportunity to feed, either by plucking fruits or harvesting vegetables? Long thing I suppose, but worth exploring. With just one option left, could he have negotiated the exchange of something more trivial than his birthright? I believe, yes! Perhaps doing laundry, tidying up, a whole deer roast, or even his favourite boxers. Anything but the birthright.
Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! Deuteronomy 30:19
Friend, don’t make a permanent decision based on a temporary situation. Choose right. Choose life. Choose blessings.
Know your identity and worth
Friend, I’m not sure of you noticed that in the large scheme of things, the stew Esau had was only ‘a bite’. He may have deemed it insignificant but it was big enough a deal to alter his destiny. Hey Sampson, did you know that a hook up with Delilah will not only affect your dignity, integrity, or vision but your life also? Dear Judah, if you had been told your pledge to Tamar will diminish your God-given authority and influence, would you believe it? Oh Reuben, who would have thought that your romp with Bilhah would relegate you to sharing a piece of land near Moab, when you could have had the best and twice as much?
Some things are strictly off-limits, friend. As lawful as they may appear, they are just not needful. My Late Grandpa would often remind me, usually when I was about going out: Don’t forget whose Grand-daughter you are. And in case you have a momentary memory lapse, remember that anything you do out there points back to this family. In other words, others may but you can’t. You are an ambassador and not on a solo mission. Therefore, live up to our standards and reputation. Truth is I didn’t always get things right but an understanding of my identity and value considerably influenced and continues to influence my behaviour and actions. Do you know who and whose you are? Are you aware of the gifting and graces on your life? Are there any unfulfilled prophecies, promises, and purposes concerning you? Selah!
A good name is better than fine perfume. Ecclesiastes 7:1a
A good reputation and respect are worth much more than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1
I wish Esau knew that his one-time misjudgment would have him nicknamed for life. Friend, I wonder what you’ve been dubbed. What are you known for? Red stuff? White stuff? Liquid stuff? Are you exchanging your abundant life, health, and wealth for a meager bread, peas, and stew? May you perceive right to do better.
There are losses that happen by things slipping through unnoticed, and some are more obvious , but then there are those that are deliberate as in Esau’s situation. I believe in redemptive grace and I’d like to think that Esau possibly could have regained his birthright had he repented. Unfortunately, he didn’t sooner but rather he “went on about his business, indifferent to the loss of the rights he had thrown away”.
You know how he later wanted it back. But there was nothing he could do to change things, even though he begged his father and cried. Hebrews 12:17
Friend, I have no idea what you have despised or lost; the word assures us that they will be restored. But you must not carry on business as usual. Don’t be apathetic. Repent. Identify what needs to change, assess the effort, engage relevant resources, plan, and execute accordingly.
One of the benefits of being New Testament believers is we have far more great and precious promises; therefore, more than a double share. We’ll look at this in subsequent series, God-willing. In the meantime, know your value and choose right.
by Jeanie | Mar 21, 2021 | Uncategorised
Is there any word from the LORD? Yes, Jeremiah replied. Jeremiah 37:17b
To provide some context to the above text, the destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans was imminent but neither King Zedekiah nor the people of Judah cared or prepared for the transition. Perhaps this was due to his character following his takeover from Coniah who was also known as Jeconiah.
Scripture says he, his officials, and everyone else in Judah ignored everything the Lord spoke through Jeremiah. Interestingly, he was simultaneously soliciting prayers. Exactly what many of us do – not keen on living right but desiring the good things of God. Grace! As New Testament Kings and Priests, here are a few lessons from this narrative:
TRAIN TO REIGN ELSE YOU’LL DERAIL
Had the king reflected on the leadership of Coniah, determined the reason God appointed him, carved or captured the vision, put some execution strategies in place, or even mobilized the right people to work with him, I imagine he would have had a successful reign. Evidently, he had no mentors, neither did he have advisors nor real friends and associates, which put him in a precarious situation. Are you hearing a word from the Lord? Selah!
Unfortunately, he faced captivity just as his predecessor. Oh, that we may learn from life lessons so that affliction doesn’t rise a second or nth time.
[Put first things first] Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; and afterward, build your house and establish a home. Proverbs 24:27
ASK QUESTIONS AND GET THE FACTS
The King was smart enough to inquire of the Lord via Jeremiah. The ability to tactfully express a need or desire is a key skill. Great communicators know and make the most of this to conduct research, build customer bases, create proposals, get buy-in, close sales, win contracts, and finalize deals. It pays to seek input or clarify things whenever you are uninformed or unsure. God expects and invites us to consult with or pray to him.
Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand). Jeremiah 33:3
Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7
God is always speaking and in Zedekiah’s situation had already spoken, but it was his asking that unlocked the answers. When you ask, you set the stage for a response. You may not like the answer, in any case, there’ll certainly be a word from the Lord. I learned a song long ago while in Sunday school:
God has something to say (2x)
Listen, listen, and pay great attention
For the Lord has something to say
Do you know that the popular idiom ‘the devil is in the details’ originated from the maxim ‘God is in the detail’? Is it possible you are missing him? Selah. Pay attention! Distinguish!! Recognize!!!
ANALYZE THE RESULTS AND ACT WISELY
Most inquiries are followed by responses although some may be delayed. Zedekiah got a reply albeit not to his liking. Life will not always go your way but what you do at those difficult crossroads will impact the outcome either positively or negatively. Rather than challenge and contend the verdict, Zedekiah could have conceded or at least cried for mercy.
For He wounds, but He also binds; He strikes, but His hands also heal. Job 5:18
I will tell them, “Come back, and I will cure you of your unfaithfulness.” They will answer, “We will come back because you are the LORD our God. Jeremiah 3:22
ADMIT YOUR SHORTCOMINGS AND MAKE AMENDSZedekiah is not the first man or king to get things wrong. There’d been wickeder and ungodlier kings such as Manasseh, Ahab, Nebuchadnezzar, and David who obtained mercy and changed their ways. Instead of repenting, he and his subjects had no regard or restraints to the point they assaulted and insulted the prophet without remorse. Thus not heeding the word:
Don’t touch my anointed ones! Do my prophets no harm! Psalm 105:15
For he who is coming against you is coming against the pupil of His eye. Zechariah 2:8b
I’m thrilled that in the midst of all this, God spoke to Jeremiah before Zedekiah sent the messenger to ask for a word. This highlights the truth that God knows your thoughts and needs, and he already has the answers before you ask.
I will answer their prayers before they finish praying. Isaiah 65:24
Did you know that negotiation is a discussion or communication intended to produce an agreement? You may not have your way but you can certainly compromise or settle for a win-win situation. Tamar, Abraham, Rachel, Jacob, Leah, Boaz, and Jesus knew this too well, so what will you do the next time life has you in a tight corner? I suggest you get a word and war a good warfare with it! #fulfilmentcomes #hollaapraise
