Birthright

The Mess of Pottage, James Tissot

The older I get, the more I repent of my earlier, youthful reactions to scripture. For example, I used to be sad when I read the Lord’s decree in the days of Noah that “My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.” When I was young, I wanted to live for 900 years, like Adam. But that is not the case anymore. This world, as the Lord knew, is full of violence and heartache. It is a mercy we do not live to 900!

In my early thirties I went through an angry feminist phase, resentful that I could not preach in my church because I was a woman. I was offended by biblical laws deeming menstruation “unclean,” though it is, admittedly, a mess. I bristled at the thought of being sent outside the camp for the duration of my uncleanness. Of course, there are cultures which still have such laws which can be burdensome and even dangerous, but I realize now that was never our good Father’s intention! No! Rather, I think, it was His provision for women in their time of need. Now that I am older, I think it would have been wonderful to catch a break from normal duties while suffering from cramps.

When I was teen, the story of Jacob and Esau baffled me. It seemed unfair for Lord to have favorites. Why would He prefer a schemer to an honest man of the field? Why would he bless the twin who envied his brother’s birthright? And what was the birthright anyway?

That question is the crux of the whole story, for the birthright at stake was like no other. It was not a matter of wealth or possessions (which it seems Esau did, in fact, inherit from Isaac.) Rather the birthright was a promise from the Creator Himself. Isaac inherited the covenant God made with Abraham. Through Isaac a great nation would be born, blessing the every family of the earth. Jacob understood that this blessing on Isaac would be conferred upon only one of Isaac’s sons, and he wanted it. Esau did not care. Jacob valued the promise, the covenant of God, above all else; Esau was a slave to his belly. I find this passage one fo the saddest, and most cautionary chapters in all of scripture.

 Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished.  He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!”

 Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”
 “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”

 But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.

 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.

I understand now why our Father preferred Jacob. Esau could not look beyond the immediate cravings of his flesh. He had no faith in the wonder of the birthright. He did not value the covenant. Thus, the conniving of Jacob was more pleasing to God than the disregard of Esau.

It would be easy for us Gentile Christians to write this story off as a relic of history. We could sit back and assure ourselves that the Holy Spirit was in control. The birthright fell to the appointed son; there is nothing to fear. But I think we would miss a serious warning in the story.

We Gentile Christians also possess a birthright of unimaginable glory. All who have been baptized into Christ have received the spirit of God which cries out “Abba, Father!” All of us are heirs of salvation. All of us have the potential to carry the light of Jesus. And yet, we are tempted to settle for the satisfaction of our senses. We are often slaves to the lusts of our flesh. We are nto jealous for the glory of our birthright.

I have been convicted of this sin myself in recent weeks. On Oct. 22, I spoke at Hope Chapel on the topic of revelation. Though the sentence was not in my notes, I found myself repeating an exhortation based on passages from Paul’s letters, “Revelation is your birthright!” And so it is. Revelation is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Wisdom, insight understanding, and consolation are all gifts of the Spirit. But I confess I would often rather watch a movie than press into prayer or study.

I repent. And I love the birthright You have so generously given me, Father!

Readings for next WeeK: Genesis 25-28, I Kings 1:1-31

Link to sermon at Hope : https://hope.org/sermons/2023/10/october-22-worship-service/
(The sermon begins at about the 45 min mark.)