Bibledoorajar knows the Difference

Be still and know that I am God.

Be still and know that I am God.

Be still and know that I am God.

I am the Lord that strengthens thee.

I am the Lord that strengthens thee.

I am the Lord that strengthens thee.

Anonymous

Esau was the firstborn. That gave him the birthright. Even today, many young Jews from all over the world visit Israel to strengthen their identity with the land of their origins. That should have been the goal of Esau: a man strengthening his identity in the God-given goals of his father and grandfather.

There are few things more important in life than understanding God's priorities. But, for some, these priorities can become far away from hearts and spirits. Oh, people may be ethical in their thoughts but not moral in their actions. What do you mean, you say? Well, I have worked with many professional mental health workers over the years and they could all tell you the ethics called for in any situation. However, it was only the truly moral who carried them out. 

Right priorities are essential in carrying out the spiritual life and Esau's story makes it clear that he did not discern this. There is nothing in his story to indicate that he would protect his birthright and destiny at all cost. As a matter of fact, the story reports he had little regard for it when the world had let him down. When that happened, and he came home empty handed and red faced from his own efforts, he had never been so in need of something the world did not provide. He was tired and he was hungry to the point of being famished.  He did not even have any thing to give his father, who loved the wild game Esau killed.

The Bible says that the descendants of Esau took on the "redness" of Esau (red all over at birth) and therefore were called Edomites (red). They held the most productive part of early Palestine and were mortal enemies of God's people. They did not seek God's priorities and His people had to war with them often--battling ethics vs. morality. Such is the Christian's fight today. The world (especially the political world) espouses ethics and often writes them down as to what is believed, however it is the truly moral of the world who seek God's heart and His help to do the right thing. They would fight the world to the end to not lose the birthright God has given them. There are always choices to be made. James, the brother of Jesus, cautioned that Christians cannot be double- minded. Many desire to serve the Lord but the world is so alluring to them. How about a foot in both worlds?

      "Regard it all as joy, my brethren, when you face various kinds of temptations; for you know that all the testing of your trust produces perseverance. But let perseverance do its complete work; so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing. Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach; and it will be given to him. But let him ask in trust, doubting nothing; for the doubter is like a wave in the sea being tossed and driven by the wind. Indeed that person should not think that he will receive anything from the Lord, because he is double-

minded, unstable in all his ways."  James 1:2-8

Esau was tempted by his poor circumstances and evidenced no trust. Unwilling to persevere and seek God, he was tossed like a wave. Lesson learned? God help us all.