Pray First.

Read Genesis 25:21-34.

My dad was born and raised on the land where he has lived his whole life. Before him, it was his father’s land. He has loved it and cared for it his entire life, and eventually, he will pass it down to the ones he loves. On his land, he has raised crops, cattle, and gardens. He built a house and raised a family. When storms came and damaged the barn, he rebuilt it stronger than before. When struggles of life hit our family, he and my mom worked hard to hold us together. One day, my brother and I will inherit the land. But the greatest inheritance he has already given us is his character, his love for family, and his love of Jesus. 

In the Bible, we read of an inheritance, one that included a birthright. This birthright was a double portion (twice what the other sons would receive) of the land and possessions of the father. The birthright also included becoming the head of the family and the spiritual leader after the death of the father. It was traditionally given to the firstborn son of the father. However, our sovereign God often has other plans. 

Esau and Jacob were twin brothers born to Isaac and Rebekah. Before they were even born, they wrestled with one another in Rebekah’s womb. Being so distraught, she inquired of God what could be the matter. “God told her, ‘Two nations are in your womb, two peoples butting heads while still in your body. One will overpower the other, and the older will serve the younger’” (Gen 25:23 MSG). Even before they were born, God was choosing the younger to inherit the birthright of his father.

As they grew up, both the twins would have understood the birthright. “In the case of this family, the birthright determined who would inherit the covenant God made with Abraham; the covenant of a land, a nation, and the Messiah,” according to Bible scholar David Guzik. The older brother, Esau, was more focused on the immediate, especially when he was distraught, making him less committed to the birthright. Jacob understood what the birthright meant and he wanted it. He was prepared to use his cunning and deception to gain the birthright from Esau. Esau came home from hunting tired and hungry. Jacob seized the opportunity and tempted him with prepared food in exchange for his birthright. In a moment of discomfort and weakness, Esau caved to the temptation, trading his birthright to Jacob for a measly bowl of stew. 

Got Questions Ministries explains that since the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, those who confess their belief and faith in him have an inheritance through him. He, as God’s one and only son, has received the kingdom from his father and is Lord of all (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:36). And Jesus shares his inheritance with us. Because of what Christ did on the cross for us, we can become children of God, and joint heirs with Jesus. “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,” (Rom 8:16-17 ESV).  

If we could fully grasp the inheritance we have with Christ, how much more joy and peace could fill our souls, and how much of that would overflow to others around us? His blessings are innumerable, and they are there for us if we only believe in Jesus and follow him. They are an inherited birthright in Jesus Christ. 

Guzik summarizes our inherited blessings as found in Ephesians 1:3-14 in this way: We have been blessed in Christ with, “Every spiritual blessing…the blessing of being chosen in Jesus…adoption into God’s family…complete acceptance by God in Jesus…redemption from our slavery to sin…true and total forgiveness…the riches of God’s grace…the revelation and knowledge of the mystery of God’s will…an eternal inheritance [and] the guarantee of the indwelling Holy Spirit.”

We are far too inclined to give up our birthright for things that fall short of God’s glorious blessings. When storms of life hit, we often forget God and try to hang on in our own strength. We give in to the temptation to do, say, or see things we shouldn’t. We seek approval from others even if we can only gain their approval by neglecting our values. We work to climb the corporate ladder at the expense of our family time. We sell out our God-given treasures for momentary pleasure. We compromise, and compromise, and compromise, until the distance between right and wrong gets blurred.                                                      

We will all encounter temptation throughout our lives, just as Esau did. We can overcome these by remaining steadfast in God through prayer and scripture. We can decide what kind of person we want to be and what we will do before we ever encounter the face of temptation. “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15 BSB). 

 

Consider…

What sort of character am I conveying? What traits do I want people to see in me? 

Do I want to be a kind and loving person? Or will I be harsh and unforgiving?

Do I want to get what I want no matter the cost? Or am I willing to sacrifice for the good of others?

Do I want to climb the corporate ladder, doing anything it takes to get to the top? Or do I want to stand with good moral character, even if it costs me something? 

Do I want to be honest or deceiving?

Am I willing to wait on God for pleasures in life, or will I ignore His guidance and succumb to the temptation to have it now? 

Am I okay with giving away bits and pieces of myself until the compromises I’ve accepted have shaped me into something I didn’t intend to become? 

 

Let’s decide, in the quiet of our room, where we’ll stand and how we’ll stand when temptations slither their way into our lives. Then, when struggles come knocking at our door, we’ll be able to stand firm. When we remember what God’s word says and when we pray for His help, He will provide a way of escape. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (NIV). 

We all face temptations. We all come under pressure to do things that are against our character or beliefs. And we all fail at some point to stand firm, to make the decision we wish we would have made. Thankfully, we have a God who, when we confess our sins, no matter what sin it is, will forgive us and wash us in His mercy and make us clean.

Decide ahead of time who you will be so that in the moment of a storm, you will have the strength and determination to remain who God called you to be. 

When he saves us from our sins, we are reborn, born again to a new life in Christ. Let’s hold fast to the re–birthright he has given us. 

 

Worship Song: Clean by Natalie Grant

Find Tracy on Facebook at Tracy Fields Todd, Writer, and on Instagram at @tracyftodd.