For Sale
And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? ~Genesis 25:32
The real estate market in our area was previously hot for sellers. Property listings were numerous and most properties were sold and off the market in less than 30 days. It is not unusual to see “for sale” signs on almost every block that you pass by. "For sale" signs perk the interest of potential buyers and investors. The very sight of a "for sale" sign suggests a possible bargain price on a given property. This morning, we are looking at a man that put the essence of his life up for sale. We are looking at a man whose life was draped with a "for sale" sign around it. Are you someone whose spiritual life and worth is for sale?
We see Esau and his weariness.
Esau was the twin brother of Jacob. In Scripture, Esau is a picture of the fleshly life, and Jacob is a picture of the Spirit life. The twins struggling in Rebekah’s womb before their birth is a picture of the flesh lusting against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh. Esau had been toiling as usual in the field. We are told that one day he came from the field and he was faint. The word for "faint" carries the idea of being exhausted and weary. He had been toiling in the hot sun all day. He was famished and fainting. The physical side of him was in control. Be careful when you are at the point of fainting. Be careful when you get tired of serving the Lord. Be careful when you get tired of going to church. Be careful when you get tired of praying and reading your Bible. Be careful when you get tired of the spiritual authority in your life.
We see Esau and his weakness.
As he approached the house, he could smell the pottage being cooked by Jacob. As soon as he entered the house and saw Jacob, he cried out. Jacob saw Esau’s condition as an opportunity to take advantage of him. He knew Esau’s impulsive tendencies. Likewise, Satan also knows our impulsive tendencies. Jacob connived Esau into trading his birthright for a bowl of pottage. The birthright was a mighty privilege of every firstborn. It gave him the privilege of a double portion of the father’s estate, and it gave him the preference of his father. Esau said, “What profit shall this birthright do to me?” In his moment of weakness, the birthright lost its value and significance. He succumbed to temptation. He preferred hunger over holiness. He preferred pottage over purity. He preferred his stomach over sanctification. You are only as strong as you are in your moment of weakness. Esau sold himself at a bargain basement price. Esau was an easy prey for temptation.
We see Esau and his wickedness.
When he exchanged his birthright for a bowl of pottage, he sadly demonstrated that he could be bought. Instead of being sold out for Christ, he sold his character. Instead of being sold out for Christ, he sold his conscience. Instead of being sold out for Christ, he showed his lack of conviction. Esau is described as a profane man in Hebrews 12:16. To be profane is to be without reverence for God. It means to be ungodly. It is used in connection with a fornicator, who is an immoral person. He demonstrated that in a moment of weakness he could be bought. The devil saw the "for sale" sign around his neck and seized upon this without delay. Esau was a wicked man. He saw no value in that birthright. He said, “What profit shall this birthright do to me?” When you are not settled in your relationship with the Lord, you too will say “What profit shall this birthright do to me?”
Are you someone walking around with a “for sale” sign around your neck? Examine your conscience, and be careful that you do not sell your birthright that you received when you got saved.
Have a vigilant God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Luke 10-11