Esau’s decision to trade his birthright for a bowl of stew sounds almost unbelievable. But Genesis 25 presses the question closer to home: are we ever tempted to trade the lasting promises of God for something temporary, easy, or comfortable?

This short devotional reminds us not to settle for lesser things when God is calling us to trust Him.

Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?”  Genesis 25:32

Picture the scene in your mind.

Esau has been out all day working in the fields.  It’s hard work, even for a rugged outdoorsman.  By the time Esau comes through the door at day’s end, he’s tired and hungry enough to eat a camel.

In the kitchen sits his younger brother, Jacob, with a bowl of stew.  Esau spies the bowl, and Jacob takes full advantage of the situation.  He proposes a trade:  a bowl of stew in exchange for Esau’s birthright.

Sounds crazy, right?  Trading away the right to a double share of his father’s estate.  And for what?  A hot meal?  Esau says yes, claiming that he’ll “die” if he doesn’t get his vittles!

We laugh at Esau’s foolishness and pat ourselves on the back for being so much smarter.  

But are we?

As Christians, we have a birthright too:  the promise of God working in our lives to bring us His best.  But do we end up trading it for something else?  For something less?

How many times have we ignored God’s voice only to miss a blessing? How many times have we taken the easy road when God’s best was waiting for us at the end of a hard road?  How many times have we stopped praying, choosing to accept things as they are instead of trusting God to answer?

Don’t follow in Esau’s footsteps.  Trust God to keep His promises and to work for your good. Don’t trade your birthright for some lesser thing!