Genesis 25:19-34
Genesis 25:19-34
Have you ever made a trade that you immediately regretted? I can remember multiple times when I was a child that some friends convinced me to trade something I owned for what they owned. They would talk it up. They would make it sound good - as we all do when we are trying to trade something. Often, when I got home and was really able to think about it, I regretted it.
In this story we see a tragic trade. Esau sells his BIRTHRIGHT for SOUP! This was something he was born into. Something that was priceless. And yet, when push came to shove, in a moment of weakness, he gave it all up.
We often make trades spiritually. We trade intimacy with God for the temporary joy of sin. We let sin lure us away from what we know to be true about God… and often, in moments of weakness, we trade.
14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. // James 1:14-15
25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen // Romans 1:25
So what are some practical things we can learn from Esau about having a clear mind when faced with choices (trades)?
1) DON’T MAKE TRADES WHEN YOU ARE TIRED + DRAINED PHYSICALLY (V.29-30)
Often when we make decisions during these times, just like Esau did, we do not make wise choices.
2) WHEN CONSIDERING A TRADE MAKE SURE YOU ARE TALKING TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE (v.31)
You want people around you who have your best in mind to help you make big choices. Jacob did not have his brother's best interest in mind but his own. We can see it in the way he DEMANDED his BROTHERS birthright. He made it sound good. He tricked his brother. Make sure the people speaking into your life (1) love and walk with God and (2) have your best in mind.
3) DON’T LOSE SIGHT OF THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT FOR THE THINGS THAT SEEM URGENT (v.32-34)
A birthright is important. It is something that is a part of your legacy. He lost sight of what was TRULY IMPORTANT to protect to take care of what seemed urgent. We often do the same thing. We have to be very careful. We put family on the backburner for work... We put God on the backburner for sinful pleasure… among other things.
Never forget, IMPORTANT things matter years from now. URGENT things won’t. Don’t confuse them! When we do, we will make poor trades.
Discussion:
1) How can you keep the important things first?
2) Why is it easy to make poor trades at the moment?
By: Nick Parsons
Have you ever made a trade that you immediately regretted? I can remember multiple times when I was a child that some friends convinced me to trade something I owned for what they owned. They would talk it up. They would make it sound good - as we all do when we are trying to trade something. Often, when I got home and was really able to think about it, I regretted it.
In this story we see a tragic trade. Esau sells his BIRTHRIGHT for SOUP! This was something he was born into. Something that was priceless. And yet, when push came to shove, in a moment of weakness, he gave it all up.
We often make trades spiritually. We trade intimacy with God for the temporary joy of sin. We let sin lure us away from what we know to be true about God… and often, in moments of weakness, we trade.
14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. // James 1:14-15
25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen // Romans 1:25
So what are some practical things we can learn from Esau about having a clear mind when faced with choices (trades)?
1) DON’T MAKE TRADES WHEN YOU ARE TIRED + DRAINED PHYSICALLY (V.29-30)
Often when we make decisions during these times, just like Esau did, we do not make wise choices.
2) WHEN CONSIDERING A TRADE MAKE SURE YOU ARE TALKING TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE (v.31)
You want people around you who have your best in mind to help you make big choices. Jacob did not have his brother's best interest in mind but his own. We can see it in the way he DEMANDED his BROTHERS birthright. He made it sound good. He tricked his brother. Make sure the people speaking into your life (1) love and walk with God and (2) have your best in mind.
3) DON’T LOSE SIGHT OF THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT FOR THE THINGS THAT SEEM URGENT (v.32-34)
A birthright is important. It is something that is a part of your legacy. He lost sight of what was TRULY IMPORTANT to protect to take care of what seemed urgent. We often do the same thing. We have to be very careful. We put family on the backburner for work... We put God on the backburner for sinful pleasure… among other things.
Never forget, IMPORTANT things matter years from now. URGENT things won’t. Don’t confuse them! When we do, we will make poor trades.
Discussion:
1) How can you keep the important things first?
2) Why is it easy to make poor trades at the moment?
By: Nick Parsons
4 Comments
Really good, Nick. Thanks for this message.
I'm certainly guilty of losing sight of the important things and spending my time focused on what seems 'urgent' that day. And then I immediately regret it, just like Esau...
The only way I've found to combat this is to intentionally schedule and set aside dedicated time for the important.
Thank you Nick for the reminders today!
"IMPORTANT things matter years from now. URGENT things won't. Don't confuse them! When we do, we will make poor trades."
This is so good, Nick. I'm gonna tuck that one away. Thanks for your insight.
I feel you have to have a clear mind and be walking in Christ. Being vulnerable can make your thoughts clouded.