Esau Sell's His Birthright

Genesis 25 tells the story of Esau, who comes in from the field exhausted and hungry, selling his birthright to his younger brother Jacob in return for some stew. At that time, family possessions and blessings typically passed through the eldest sons, but after the transfer of birthright, God's plan for humanity operated through Jacob's bloodline, all the was down to Jesus.

But what exactly did Esau do wrong? Was selling his birthright really a sin? According to Hebrews 12:16-17 (ESV), the answer is "yes,"

[Esau] sold his birthright for a single meal ... afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

Esau desired a pleasant, yet fleeting, satisfaction in the form of stew. And to gain that satisfaction, he turn his back to heavenly promises.

Do we do the same? As we seek to satisfy our cravings, or accumulate earthly possessions, or gain the admiration of others, or increase our social status -- do we turn our backs to God's will, even for just a moment?

We're all guilty of such actions. As we pray, we should recall those moments when we acted in such ways, and repent.