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.