0391. THE BARTERED BIRTHRIGHT.

THE BARTERED BIRTHRIGHT.

Gen_25:27-34; Heb_12:17.

Esau, like Cain, stands out in the Word of God as a beacon of warning-like the mast of some sunken ship still seen above the overwhelming tide. Observe here a-

I. Privilege Inherited. Esau was the first-born, and so by birth he had the opportunity of becoming heir. Although it is true that natural birth will not bring us into the heirship of God’s promises, yet it does bring us into a marvellous place of opportunity compared with those who, through no fault of their own, have been born in the darkness of cannibalism. All born in Bible lands are heirs of a priceless privilege.

II. Privilege Despised. Esau said, "What profit is this birthright to me?" (Luk_24:32). It could be no profit to him when he esteemed other sensual things of more importance The pottage to him was the chief thing at that moment. He allowed his appetite to overrule the higher instincts of his nature. Men constantly make this mistake when they suffer temporal things to take the place of spiritual. Things of first importance should always be put first. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and these things for which so many hunger after shall be added. To despise Gospel privileges is to despise your birthright.

III. Privilege Lost. "He sold his birthright" (Luk_24:33). He deliberately parted with it as a thing of no value. An opportunity not accepted is an opportunity lost. There are always plenty of the Jacob sort about, who are ready, at any cost to others, to make personal gain out of their spiritual stupidity. Moses looked at his birthright with a very different eye when he chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (Heb_11:25-26). The heart is never more deceitful than when it covets the things which are seen and temporal, and lets slip those things which are eternal. It is a bad bargain to sell the spiritual for the natural.

IV. Privilege Lamented. "Afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected, … though he sought with tears" (Heb_12:17). The sin of unbelief is sure to be followed with a terrible "afterwards." His dying father brought conviction home to his heart and conscience; but his tears, though many and bitter, did not avail to bring him into the hitherto despised blessing. "Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime received good things," was a stinging "afterward" to the rich man spoken of in Luke 16. How shall we escape the sorrowful afterward "if we neglect the great present salvation?" (Heb_2:3).

Autor: James Smith