Don't Despise God's Promise

“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” Keep Reading...

Genesis 25:29-34 - Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom. )

Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright. ”

“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”

But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.

Two wrongs don’t make a right. Jacob, the deceiver, and Esau, the despiser - both were in the wrong. Both caused pain and heartache to their families and the heart of God. Though God would have been grieved over their relational breakdown, he still kept the line of promise intact (the line of Jesus).

Someone might say that Jacob's sin of deception was predestined. But, do not be fooled. “God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” James 1:13-14 Jacob had a very different response to God that his grandfather, Abraham.

Abraham obediently laid his son, Isaac, upon the altar. He let go of his promised inheritance at God's command (which God gave back to him). Jacob, on the other hand, seized inheritance that was not his to take. Only God gives and takes away inheritance.

In a move of great mercy, God continued working with the rebellious decisions of both Jacob and Esau. He did not remove his presence or his promise from the family. They treated the promise of God as if it was a temporary stash of gold and silver. They completely missed the point of God's blessing on generations.

God has made many promises to you. Do not treat them lightly. The way to see all of his promises fulfilled in his complete way and timing is through total obedience right now. Your obedience to God in this moment will pave the way for future generations to experience the blessing of God.

Do not diminish God's promises in your life to be a simple temporary fix of health or wealth. Also, do not trade them in for a sinful, false comfort. Remember the big picture of what God is doing in your life. He is building a blessing in your life that will impact generations and nations.

Your obedience to God's voice right now will bring his promise and blessing into the lives of many that follow you.