One of the greatest mistakes one could ever make in life is trading with his or her birthright like Esau. Though birthright is not transferable, Esau sold his birthright to his brother with an oath. Eventually, this came to pass in his life adversely. He made a very grave mistake, though ignorantly. Birthright can only be earned from birth. Because of this, it is a biological right or privilege that comes with being born as a son or daughter into a family. Culturally, this right is what can ascertain someone’s biological background and enables him or her to possess the portion of his or her inheritance in the family.
The portion he is entitled to depends on the position he or she holds among the siblings. It is known even from the Bible times that the first son is entitled to the biggest portion of the family properties after the death of their father. He also takes over the fatherly responsibilities and privileges. It was because of the privileges of being born as the first son that Jacob struggled from the womb in order to overtake his brother. Esau sold his birthright. Fortunately for Jacob, it happened one day that his brother came back from hunting and was very hungry. When he saw the red pottage that Jacob had prepared, he asked for it. However, his brother, who has been waiting for this opportunity, told him to sell his birthright to him before he could give him the meal. Esau said, ”I am at the point to die, and what profit shall this birthright do to me?”. Jacob told him to swear, and he did. Then the meal was given to him. This is how Esau despitefully sold his birthright (Genesis 25:29–34). He was very shortsighted to see any important thing in his birthright because of the hunger and the sweet aroma of the red pottage, which was just momentary compared to what he would lose. It was really very foolish of him.
The Consequences
The Bible says subsequently, he cried for it bitterly when it dawned on him but could not redeem it. Hebrews 12:17. He finally realized that he had lost what would have earned him the divine blessings and inheritance in the lineage of his forefathers; not only this, but that God’s abiding presence in his life and his heavenly dwelling is gone. Because of this, his name is not found among the people of God. Instead, he is called Edom, which means the red pottage. God says in the Bible, I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He does not say I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Esau. He got missing in the record of God’s people just because of one minute of enjoyment and satisfaction. This singular act of his plunged his entire descendants into paganism and perpetual conflict with Israel. According to history, Edom became a pagan nation and great enemy of Israel till today. We can say that Esau died a rich man, but he had missed what money cannot buy, which is his birthright!
Our birthright
In this dispensation, our salvation in Christ is our birthright. Once we became born again, automatically, we received our birthright as sons and daughters of God. John 1:12. We also have access to our heavenly inheritance. These inheritances are kept for us by the power of God if we hold on to faith till the end, meaning that once we draw back, everything will be taken away from us. 1 Peter 1:3–6; Romans 8:7 & Hebrews 10:35. However, many still do not believe that we can miss our salvation that we once received. They’d rather believe in eternal security — that once we are saved, we are saved forever. This is not really true because Jesus says, “But to them that endure till the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:4). Again, Jude also says, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful to write unto you and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 1:3
In today’s world, there are so many attractive opportunities and human inventions, like the red portage, targeting at pulling down our faith in God. And because of the fact that many Christians are living carelessly, they are easily caught by their luring power. Such Christians, like Esau, have not considered the importance of their birthright and heavenly inheritance because of the condition they have found themselves in. They just decided to trade their birthright with the flimsy things of this world without a second thought in order to get rid of their daunting situation. But at the end, they keep regretting it, going for fasting here and there to get a solution. This is very pathetic.
What seems like the red pottage today
The red portage is not just food or drink we are being offered. It can take different forms as follows.
Immoral Women
There are many Jezebel-like women today whose dressing and body make-up are uncalled for. Their interior purpose is to lure committed Christians away from God. Many men of God have suffered their hard blows and missed their divine unction. An example is David and Sampson. (2 Samuel 11:2; Judges 16; Rev. 2:20).
Money
This is one of the best examples of the red pottage today. It is very tempting and alluring in its nature, especially when it comes in huge amounts. Money is good, but the love of it is not recommended because it can easily replace God in someone’s life. Ballam and Judas Iscariot are examples. They forfeited their heavenly places because of their inordinate quest for money. Number 22 & Matthew 26:14–16
Finer things of life
These are eye-catching things that are reigning in the world, like new model luxurious cars, modern-day houses, outlandish clothes, jets, digital electronics, etc. These can easily catch the attention of people and subject them to perpetual craving. There are people who desire to have them by all means after seeing one from their friends or somewhere and eventually end up in the hands of the devil. Achan and Demas are examples. 2 Timothy 4:10. Joshua 7:21 & I John 2:15.
Cultism/demonic power
These are different kinds of satanic organizations or fraternities that exist in the world in the name of helping their members. They usually promise to give their members fame, power, money, and protection. It is like the red pottage to those who want to be rich without effort or who seek an immediate solution to their problems. The devil always wants to offer riches in exchange for men’s souls. Matthew 4:8–10.
Position
Position of authority, especially in politics, can be like the red pottage to many. In today’s politics, everybody knows that there is a massive gain in it. Because of this, high positions often attract many who want to do everything they can to be there. This can lead them out of the way of God. John 2:15–17.
Partying and entertainment
This is where one can gratify the flesh to its fullest as long as eating, drinking, sex, music, drugs, watching, gambling, etc. are concerned. Those that are addicted to this kind of life have done so at the expense of their spiritual life. They are only sown to the flesh, and they will also reap according to the flesh, for anyone that lives in pleasure is dead while living. 1 Timothy 5:6.
Social Media and Pornography
Social media handling and pornography are prevailing today, especially among the youths. Many have lost their souls because of the friends they have found on the internet and the platforms they belong to. There are many too who have become addicted to pornographic scenes. Indeed, evil company corrupts good manners. 1 Corinthians 15:33.
False teaching and false prophets
There are those who are not called by God. Because of this, they use every means, including flattering words and satanic powers, to draw a following. There are many of them today since we are in the end time. Satan sometimes disguises himself as the minister of light in order to grab men’s souls. Matthew 4:4 & Revelation 2:20 What should be our attitude as Christians? “Looking diligently lest any man fall from the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for the morsel of meat sold his birthright.” Hebrews 12:15–16.
From the text above, it is clear that Esau lost his birthright because of carelessness. In other words, he was not vigilant to the thing that mattered most in his life. He trivialized it with it ignorantly. In this regard, the Bible instructs us to be sober and vigilant because the devil always looks out for every little opportunity to steal, kill, and destroy. Our salvation is the most precious thing we could ever have on earth. For this reason, whichever way Satan comes to take it away from us, we ought to say no to him.1 Peter 5:8; John 10:10. Moreover, we ought to put our desires under control and be content with what we have, looking forward to eternal inheritance in heaven, which is far greater than what the world could offer us.
Conclusion
This story of Esau and the red pottage really serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of prioritizing our spiritual inheritance. As true Christians, we must be mindful of our daily temptations that seek to distract us from our faith and compromise our values. By keeping our eyes fixed on eternity and our hearts committed to God, we can avoid the pitfalls of the red pottage and inherit the eternal blessings that come with being children of God.
One of the most indisputable signs of the end times is the global outreach of the gospel and its impacts. Today, hardly any nation in the world where the gospel has not reached as a result of unrelenting effort of the missionaries and the advent of advanced communication technology. Amazingly, the more the persecution, the more the gospel continues to spray and gather momentum. No wonder the Lord says “And upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it’’ Matthew 16:18.
This was not a mere say but a fulfilling prophecy following what the church has been passing through since the 1st century. There have been severe persecutions in many places in the world, yet the gospel is still moving on. Prophetically, Jesus told his disciple about the signs that will precede his coming. These signs according to him will be the beginning of sorrows but the end is not yet until this gospel of the kingdom is preached in all the nations of the world as a witness Matt. 24:14,6,8.
Moreover, after his resurrection, he told them that they shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon them and that they shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth Acts 1:8. This means that the gospel will be preached beginning from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the uttermost part of the world. Today, the gospel that began like a mustard seed in Jerusalem has so far been preached all over the world despite great hurdles and persecutions; making the Lord’s word come to pass.
In this end times particularly, there is no doubt that there is any nation on the earth who has not heard about Christ and his works, especially through the help of technology. Modern technologies like the internet, phone etc. have made it so simple for Christians to reach out to the unreached within a very short time, no matter the distances and barriers. Because of this, no nation can boldly say it has not heard of the gospel of Christ, either directly or indirectly.
From the onset, God has been using believers to reach out to every nation on the earth; and whether they receive it or not does not really matter but that they hear God’s word. This is because that is what will stand as a witness to them on the judgement day. This is why Jesus says ‘’and this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations” Verse 14a. Now, we are not praying for their condemnation but only if they chose to reject the gospel.
Christ also says ‘’and then shall the end come” 14b. As we have all witnessed the global outreach of the gospel, the amazing proliferation of churches and great manifestation of the Holy spirit today, it is very certain that Christ’s coming is imminent Joel 2. As Christ has revealed it, this should be a clarion call for our readiness to see the Lord at any moment from now. We are not only expected to be prepared but to prepare others too through soul-winning to enable them to be partakers of his glorious coming. Even if we know that the gospel has been preached in all the nations of the world, we still need to go out there or use any available means to win more souls and let others hear about Christ. This is our responsibility until Christ comes.
There are many souls that are perishing in this end times because the devil is seriously in the business of stealing men’s souls knowing that his time is short! As Christians, we ought to snatch them from his hands through the gospel no matter what. We should be compelled by the love of Christ to reach out to them immediately because of what is awaiting them. We are being saved to save others. So, we cannot afford to sit down and watch them while perishing because God will require their blood at their hands. And if we do it faithfully, God will reward us abundantly.
The following are the methods in which we should employ in our evangelical ministry:
Every piece of God’s armor was specifically designed to fit a particular area in our spiritual warfare. This is why we are told to put on the whole armor so that we can be complete and stand strong on every side of the battle. Ephesians 6:13. Concerning righteousness, it is a defense to us against the arrows of the evil one. The Bible says, “And having on the breastplate of righteousness” {Ephesians 6:14c}. The breastplate there represents protection and defense. These scriptures below reveal how this is true, and remember that uprightness in those verses is another word for righteousness. It is talking about Job, the servant of the Highest God. God fortified him because of his righteousness.
Talk and demonstrate your word
Do you want to hammer the devil on the head? Match on him or even throw him to the abyss? It may sound foolish, but only to the carnal man. 1 Corinthians 2:14. The power is in your hands. You have been giving the authority to do so and gain a total victory over your enemies. Talk and demonstrate your word is an act of putting what you say during your prayer time into action or show; you imagine it, you say it, and you demonstrate it, simple! In other words, it is about commanding the devil and his forces by using an appropriate word and expression to get them submitted to your will. When we are praying, it is better we combine God’s word with ours by quoting scriptures that are related to the issue at hand and act accordingly. For example, Paul says, “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet short." Rom. 16:20. We know that Satan has already been bruised under our feet. Now, we have to show this during prayer time by matching our feet on the ground while imagining that we are bruising the devil. This is one of the most effective ways of winning our spiritual battles.
Imagination
It is the ability to see the whole picture of something or somebody in the mind before it comes to reality. It is very relevant in the things of the spirit. We ought to imagine how our enemies should be dealt with, say it out, and demonstrate it accordingly. Imagination is power, and this power has been given to humans by God. Everything we are seeing today did not just come out on their own; either God or man brought them into existence. God imagined them, spoke the word, and they came to be. Man also imagines or sees it in the mind and brings it into reality. Gen. 11:6 & Hebrews 11:3. There is absolutely nothing in this life that was not born out of imagination. It is the bedrock of invention and creativity. First see the picture in your mind and follow it up accordingly, and it will soon become a reality.
Similarly, in spiritual things, when we imagine how our enemies should be dealt with and demonstrate it, it will surely transcend into a spiritual realm and become a reality. Every spiritual element is operating on the principles of imagination, combination of words, and demonstration to bring their will to manifestation in the physical world. So, following these principles will help us a lot to counter the powers of darkness, control our own world, and fulfil our destinies.
Power of the spoken word
There is no doubt that there is power in the spoken word. Remember that God used it in creation Genesis 1. As said, a combination of Gods word with ours will give an outstanding result. Sorcerers, magicians, native doctors, occults, etc. have been using the power of imagination, words, and demonstration to command their forces to work according to their will. For example, in Isaiah 8:9–10, the Bible says something about speaking the word, which reveals how our enemies have been utilising it for destruction. All their manipulations can only be activated by a combination of words and demonstration. But God is with us. He says there shall be no enchantment and divination against us, Number 23:23.
Biblical example
Thereis truly power in talking and demonstrating your word. If you go through the Bible, you will see that many prophets of God only demonstrated their message as they delivered it and eventually came to pass. In other words, they used symbolism to express the main content of their message. Jesus did this during his earthly ministry. He said it and demonstrated it as well. The man was blind from birth. Jesus anointed his eyes with clay and told him to go and wash in the pool of siloam. And the man did so and became healed. John 9:5-7.
Casting and binding
Casting and binding the devil and his forces has been very common among the pentecostal believers, and it is expected to be more common, especially in this end time where the battle is intensifying. However, when casting the devil, we are to send him to his final destination, where he cannot come again. Remember that we have been given authority that whatever we bind on the earth is equally bind in heaven. Matt. 16:19. The word is in our mouth, and we are to speak and show it to confirm our faith. Many people just say an open word to the devil without closing it. For example, a believer will say, Devil, I bind you! I cast you out! Is that all? No! That is not enough! You have to cast him, bind him, and send him to the abyss in the name of Jesus. Read what happened in Gérardennes. Jesus finally sent those demons into the pigs as they requested, and they perished there. Matt. 8:28-34. Many believers often engage themselves in prayer of request and never attempt a war fare prayer, probably because of fear or ignorance. God has already given us everything pertaining to life and godliness, but it is the devil who has not been allowing those things to come to us on time. 2 Peter 1:3. For this reason, there is a need for us to engage ourselves fully in spiritual warfare to break away those strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.
Talk and demonstrate your word should not only be done when we are praying. It should be our daily confession and taking of a corresponding action. If you are challenged by any ailment, stand up and demonstrate your healing, restoration, and glory! And this will attract a heavenly response to your situation if you do it faithfully (Genesis 22:15-16).
In conclusion
Just imagine it, say it, and demonstrate your word, and it will surely become a reality for you, Mark 11:23-24. However, everything we do, let it be done in the spirit of gentleness and orderliness, not to the disturbance of others, so that in the end, glory will be to God.
