Selling Out for a Worthless Moment | Sabotage #2

We’ve all been there. We have our values and priorities clearly in mind, but in a moment of weakness we trade in a greater thing for something that’s pretty much worthless. The lure of immediate gratification has ruined many would-be heroes and legends, destroying their legacy and disarming their impact. It’s an all-too-common form of self-sabotage. In the Bible, it shows up in the famous story of Esau. The lessons we learn from that ancient story are still valid today.

Everyone has something valuable to lose

That’s the first thing we learn in the story of Jacob and Esau, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Esau was born first – covered with thick hair and manly from day one. Jacob came out second, clutching at his brother’s heel to foreshadow both his sibling rivalry and his future deception. (Read the footnote in your Bible. The name “Jacob” in Hebrew sounds like the words for both “heel” and “deceiver”.)

Here’s the point. Esau was the older brother, which automatically gave him the birthright – and the claim to a double inheritance of his father’s estate. In the ancient culture, and even in some cultures today, this was a big deal.

Everyone has a weak spot in their temperament

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and the story of Jacob and Esau is no exception. God makes everyone with unique gifts and temperaments, and even twins can be worlds apart.

Genesis 25:27-28 As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter. He was an outdoorsman, but Jacob had a quiet temperament, preferring to stay at home. Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Everyone knows a “Jacob” – the quiet, introverted type who likes to stay home. And just as common is the “Esau” – the manly, athletic type who loves the outdoors. There’s plenty to praise in both temperaments; but they each have their downsides as well. For Esau, his Kryptonite was his appetite. Coming in from the hunt one day, Esau was hungry and desperate. Jacob saw an opportunity to manipulate his brother and offered him stew in exchange for the precious birthright. Esau didn’t hesitate.

Genesis 25:32 “Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?”

And in a single moment of weakness, Esau’s fate was sealed.

Everyone is capable of selling out for a worthless moment

The tragic story of Esau is the one of the countless tales of lapses in judgment throughout history. How could he give up something so valuable for a bowl of stew? The biblical account leaves plenty of room for us to speculate on the details, but surely it was more than an isolated poor choice. Esau’s value system certainly eroded over time, such that the biblical author could finally give only one explanation:

Genesis 25:24 He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn.

What about your story? Take an inventory of what really matters. Have you sold that thing out for a worthless moment? Are you heading in that direction? Esau was born the stronger son, but history would never know it. He was sabotaged by his own lack of self control.

In our stories today, there’s one more point to be made.

Because of Jesus, everyone gets another chance

That’s the good news. Jesus came and paid the ultimate price for our sin and selfishness. Because of the cross, we all get a second chance. If you are buried under the weight of guilt and sin, turn to Jesus for forgiveness. And if you are on the brink of trading in a greater thing for a worthless bowl of stew, stop and think. And remember the story of Esau.