Esau Sells His Rights as the First-Born Son
As Jacob and Esau grew older, Esau liked the outdoors and became a good hunter, while Jacob lived the quiet life of a shepherd. Esau would take the meat of wild animals to his father Isaac, so Isaac loved him more, but Jacob was his mother’s favorite son.
One day, when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came home hungry and said, “I’m starving to death! Here and now give me some of that red stew!” That’s how Esau got the name “Edom.”
Jacob replied, “Sell me your rights as the first-born son.”
“I’m about to die,” Esau answered. “What good will those rights do me?”
Jacob said, “Promise me your birthrights, here and now!” And that’s what Esau did. Jacob then gave Esau some bread and some of the bean stew, and when Esau had finished eating and drinking, he just got up and left, showing how little he thought of his rights as the first-born.”[1]
Let us begin by looking at the verses in this chapter; I won’t write a commentary, only give my modern-day opinion.
It is hard to imagine giving up my birthright for a pot of red stew. Yet I did not live in that period and would have no idea how folk reasoned then. But here it is; in modern terminology, Jacob conned Esau from his birthright. If we read the quote below, we will have more insight into how Jacob achieved his immoral aims.
“The name Jacob means “supplanter” or “deceiver” in the Bible. Jacob lived up to his name as a conniver and cheat, eventually supplanting his brother’s position as heir. After wrestling with a divine stranger, Jacob was given a new name, Israel, which means “one who struggles with God.”[2]
That is all I will say about this scripture because you will know what happened between Esau and Jacob by now.
Let me now take you on a journey of ‘delayed gratification.’
Before I say any more, let me present an essential issue for you to consider:
“For if any be a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”[3]
The point I need to make is while we have God’s word to guide us through the fluctuations of our lives, we must always remember: ‘hearing’ God’s word is spiritual (note I did not say ‘listening,’) doing God’s word is physical (not spiritual.)
Hearing God’s word is the function of God’s Spirit within us. Responding by doing God’s word requires our mind and body.
Note: The mind and body are not God’s Spirit within us.
Delayed gratification is not of the spirit, but first the mind, “What good will those rights do me?” (Esau’s words from his mind, not God’s spirit within him.)
Now listen to Esau’s words: “You know how he later wanted it back. But there was nothing he could do to change things, even though he begged his father and cried.”[4] Heigh-ho, what do you know – now Esau is speaking from the Spirit of God within him. (sadly, a little too late.)
Esau said later what he should have said in response to Jacob’s shrewd deal. You get the picture? First time around, Esau spoke from his mind (‘flesh’). Later, he speaks from the Spirit of God. Where am I going with this, you ask?
Delayed gratification is heard via God’s Spirit within us. Delayed gratification is applied by our minds and bodies.
Delayed gratification is not a spiritual function. It is a discipline of the mind that God’s Spirit could have inspired within us or through other reasons. ‘Doing’ (in the case of ‘hearing’ God’s word is a natural process of the mind bearing spiritual fruit.) Chew on that now!
If delayed gratification is a natural process performed by disciplining the mind, what are the benefits of practicing this procedure?
Well, to start with, there is the spiritual benefit. “…but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. [1] James 1 KJV (biblehub.com) From a natural perspective, Here’s a list of a few benefits:
- Greater mental stability
- Improved performance at work
- Increased social competence
- Reduced engagement in harmful behaviors
How to practice these benefits and learn how to delay gratification:
- Ask God if instant gratification works
- Start with small goals
- Reward yourself well.[5]
Go on, try it, and see the change in your life.
Until next time,
Love and blessings
Peter-James.
[1] Genesis 25 CEV (biblehub.com) [2] jacob name meaning bible – Search (bing.com) [3] James 1 KJV (biblehub.com) [4] Heb 12:17 Hebrews 12:17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. He could find no ground for repentance, though he sought the blessing with tears. (biblehub.com [5] Delayed Gratification Defined: 4 Benefits of Delayed Gratification – 2024 – MasterClass