Nicole D. Hayes, Founder, Voices Against the Grain

Might you go through some unnecessary experiences based on a decision made in desperation? Yes indeed. All of us can immediately recall a decision made in haste that we had to pay for. As a dear friend and mentor says, “The most expensive thing you will own are your decisions.” Such a situation was experienced by one man who lost a great deal over a bowl of red lentil soup.

Recently, and as always, I was enjoying sweet fellowship with a dear sister in Christ as we shared about our Christmas fellowship with family and friends, reflected on this year’s triumphs and challenges and how the Lord has been with us in all of it. She also shared with me new revelations learned in her study on Isaac and Rebekah’s twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Great revelations she shared about their story I may communicate in a future blog post, but it is on my heart to remind you of something that came forth as she and I spoke.

If you know the story (see Genesis 25-33), Esau was born first and then Jacob. We read the account of their birth in Genesis 25:24-28 (NIV):

24 When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. 25 The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau (or Edom, which means “red”). 26 After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob (which means “grasps the heel, he deceives”). Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them. 27 The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was a quiet man, staying among the tents. 28 Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Now comes the crux of the story for this particular message:

29 Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. 30 He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew (it was red lentils)! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.) 31 Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” 32 “Look, I am about to die (at that time there was a famine in the land),” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” 33 But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him selling his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.

??? Hold up (emphasized with a “No he didn’t” neck twist). I love lentil soup and make a good one too. Esau gave up his birthright and all the blessings that come with that for some red lentil soup?? It had been a while since I’d read the story so when I reread this my mind was boggled. Puzzled, I said, “What was he thinking??” I then felt compassion for Esau, recognizing that in those times when you are really hungry (notice that he said “famished”) you don’t always think clearly or rationally. You may act in haste or in desperation as Esau did — and lose far more than you ever intended. Your decision made in haste, in weakness, without recognizing what you already possess, what you already have, what is your position, may take you through some unnecessary experiences.

I thought, “Couldn’t somebody have given Esau some nuts to take the edge off his hunger so he could think clearer??”

But this was not simply a decision based on Esau’s thinking compromised by hunger. Esau did not value or appreciate what he had as the firstborn son (verse 34 says, “So Esau despised his birthright.”). In dismissing what he had, he did not internalize the weight of what he already had and in not understanding, he was shortsighted. But the impact of his decision was long-term (read further in Genesis). Now, his brother Jacob fully understood the worth and value and of Esau’s birthright and what came with it. Jacob was very upfront with Esau in asking what he wanted. We later read in Genesis 27 that Jacob gets blessings from his father Isaac that would have belonged to Esau, through a deception.

As one reading this, you were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27). The world will sell you many things contrary and counterfeit to your identity, but there is only one truth to base yourself on. For those in Christ Jesus, we are seated with Christ Jesus in heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6). We are the head and not the tail. Through Christ Jesus, we have already been made victorious. Through Christ Jesus, we are already rich. We have a glorious inheritance. Nothing the world offers can compare. Do not accept or fall prey to the temporary and fleeting pleasures that the world is selling. What is offered may appease temporarily but will surely pass as a bowl of lentil soup. Do not exchange your position to gratify a craving or in attempt to remedy a situation.

Understand what you already have. Understand your position. When you understand your position, you will better understand your value and the value of your position. You know what you will and won’t allow into your life, you know what you will and won’t pursue. When you know your position, beneficial decisions will follow.

Heavenly Father, thank you for telling us in Your Word who we are. We are greatly positioned. Thank you Lord! Thank you Father for your love, grace and mercy shown toward us when we’ve made hasty decisions. You can work even these situations out for our good. We pray for those who have exchanged their birthright and all that comes with it for something far less, something so sinister as to leave them empty handed. In Your Word you tell us that Satan comes to steal, to kill and to destroy. May those things stolen from us be restored. The only way we understand who we are is to know who You are.  If we have accepted something less, something counterfeit, please help us to see it and bring us back to the right position so we may live life to the full with nothing missing as you’ve promised. In Jesus’ Name we ask this. Amen. 

Love and blessings to you in the New Year,

Nicole