A Permanent Birthright
Good Morning! Welcome to Day Forty-Three! Our birthright in this world is temporary, but what Christ offers can never be taken away.
Bible Reading: Genesis 25–28
Verse of the day is: Genesis 25:32 “Esau said, “Look, I am about to die [if I do not eat soon]; so of what use is this birthright to me?””
Word of the day is: Birthright. It is the Hebrew word: בְּכוֹרָה (bek-o-raw’).
This word means: The first born, eldest.
Longing For Birthright
In Genesis 25 and 27 we see the bitter rivalry between twins Esau and Jacob. Truly it was Jacob who coveted Esau’s birthright. They were both born on the same day, within minutes of one another. Why should Esau receive the birthright?
In Genesis 25 Jacob seized upon the opportunity to have Esau sell his birthright to him for some lentil stew. While I do not think I would give up a position for soup, I wonder if we have given up what God has given to us because of temptation of another kind? Then later in Genesis 27 Jacob deceived to get the birthright he wanted. Still God used Jacob to be the father of the 12 tribes of Israel.
What was so valuable about this birthright that caused Jacob to go to such extremes?
According to the Easton Bible Dictionary, “the birthright secured to him who possessed it (1) superior rank in his family (Gen. 49:3); (2) a double portion of the paternal inheritance (Deut. 21:17); (3) the priestly office in the family (Num. 8:17–19); and (4) the promise of the Seed in which all nations of the earth were to be blessed (Gen. 22:18).”
God Supplies Our Needs
Have you ever wanted what someone else had? We have no idea what else they have that comes with that blessing we think they have. There are burdens that are always alongside the blessings we think someone else has.
Application
- Be content with your birthright. What God has given to you.
- Don’t crave someone else’s blessings.
- We don’t have to strive for God’s best for us. We already have it.
- Someone else’s portion will not be blessed in our hands.
- Walking in God’s plan for you is what is blessed.
Go with God and His precious word, friends! Join us tomorrow in the book of Judges!
