Today, I want to fill you in on some of the history that preceded Esau handing over his birthright, or bekorah, to his brother Jacob. As you know, Abraham was the father of the Lord’s people. Though he was an old man and had no children, God told him to look up at the sky and behold the stars, and He promised him that his descendants would be just that numerous. As the years went on, Abraham was unsure that the Lord would keep His word, so he slept with his wife’s household maid and she gave birth to Ishmael, who later had twelve sons of his own, and they became the fathers of the Arab nation. Though they were part of God’s lineage and were indeed blessed, they did not receive the bekorah, or the supreme blessing. Isaac, however, was the child of the promise, and was born to Abraham and Sarah years later. He too had twelve sons who ultimately became the twelve tribes of Israel, and the bekorah stayed with them. Interestingly, Abraham married again after Sarah died and he had five more sons, all of whom were likely jealous of the birthright that belonged to the lineage of Isaac. However, because they were Isaac’s sons, Jacob and Esau were the only two possible recipients of this double portion, which left numerous uncles and cousins wanting it. Unlike his brother, Jacob understood the immensity of the gift that had been entrusted to his family. He knew that there was nothing as precious or as priceless as this birthright, because He trained his eyes to see spiritual treasure and to elevate it above his physical appetites. Apparently Esau did not practice the same discipline. 

Friend, it’s good to take time to meditate on your position in the Kingdom of God and to appreciate the treasure trove of spiritual blessings that have been bestowed on you. You have a rich heritage in the Lord, and He has called you to reflect His character and attributes to the world; you are chosen, set apart, and supremely blessed. When you regularly apply your heart and mind to that truth, you won’t be readily inclined to trade your bekorah for a bowl of soup, because you understand that it is worth far more than what this world has to offer!