Let’s Make a Deal

The television show, “Let’s Make a Deal,” has been broadcast for over forty years. The premise of the show is that contestants will trade some item they brought with them for the chance to win a prize. When a prize is won, the host of the show will usually offer to buy back the prize for a certain amount of cash, or let the contestant trade it for an opportunity at a bigger prize. Contestants often get caught up in the moment and lose items of value because they keep looking for that “grand prize.”

Genesis 25
³³So 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 firstborn to his younger brother. ³⁴Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate and drank and went on about his business, indifferent to the fact that he had given up his birthright.

Jacob and Esau were the twin sons of Isaac. The Bible tells us that they were as different as night and day. Jacob was content to stay indoors while Esau, the first born, was a hunter who liked nothing better than spending time in the fields. We read that Isaac favored Esau because he provided game for the table. He also prepared Isaac’s favorite meal – a savory stew make with fresh game from Isaac’s hunts. The boys’ mother, Rebekah, was partial to Jacob.

This passage picks up with Esau returning home after a long day of hunting. The Bible tells us that Jacob was preparing a stew at the time and Esau demanded that he be given some of it. Knowing that Esau was famished and that he particularly liked the “red stew” that was in the pot, Jacob seized on the opportunity for a little bartering. He told his brother that he would give him something to eat in exchange for his birthright. Esau’s reply was, “What good is my birthright to me now?" Like many people have done and will continue to do, Esau based his decision on what was going on at the moment instead of weighing the long-term consequences of his actions.

Scripture tells us that Esau was concerned only about his present circumstance. His decision was based on the desires of his physical body, blinding him to the fact that the birthright was more than a term descriptive of the first-born – it was an indication of position in the family. The first-born received the largest share the estate on the passing of the patriarch. He also assumed the position of leadership in the family, which was very important in that day. Prior to the establishment of the family of Aaron as priests, the first-born was also the religious leader of the clan.

Jesus Christ is the first-born of our heavenly Father. Through Him, we have a share in the inheritance of God. Much of our inheritance is bestowed on us the moment we accept the gift that is so freely given. Our sins are forgiven and our place in eternity is secure. Our enemies – the world, the flesh, and the Devil - are continually on the attack. Satan will use every trick in his considerable inventory to rob us of that which God has given us, and he has a lot offer. If we are not continually diligent, he will attack us at our weakest point.

The Devil cannot tear us from the Father’s hand, but he can cause us to disrupt our fellowship. As the old saying goes, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. If we make decisions based on our fleshly desires, Satan has won. Once God is on your side, there can be nothing of significant eternal value behind any door Satan offers to us.

We serve an awesome God!!!!!