VALUING YOUR GOD-GIVEN BIRTHRIGHTS
The Bible shows us that God gives us valuable birthrights as his people. But it teaches us that to keep them we must value them as God-given rights. (Genesis 1:26-30; Gen. 25:29-34; 27:28-29).
RESULTS OF ADAM AND EVE FAILING TO VALUE THEIR BIRTHRIGHTS
When God made the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, God gave them “dominion over all the earth” (v26). But because they did not sufficiently value and secure their God-given birthrights the devil was able to deceived and defraud them out of their birthrights:
The devil or Satan, as a serpent, deceived Adam and Eve and stole their God-given birthright of having dominion over all the earth, and of having a life-long relationship with their creator (Genesis 3, Revelation 20:2). God told Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit of a particular tree in the Garden of Eden less they die. But, appearing as a serpent, the devil led them to believe they would be like God if they ate from the tree. They ate fruit from the tree. They were separated from God and the Garden where they fellowshipped with him. And having been separated from God by the sin of disobedience, they immediately died spiritual, followed by physical death (Ephesians 2:1; Hebrew 9:27).
However, thanks to God, he loved mankind so much that he had planned for their redemption (Romans 3:23; 6:23; Romans 5:8). God would send his sinless and only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to die as an atonement for the sins of mankind (John 3:16). And whoever would value his sacrificial atonement enough to repent and believed should have eternal life with the Lord (John 3:16; Acts 2:38).
CONSEQUENCES OF ESAU FAILING TO VALUE HIS BIRTHRIGHTS
Esau and Jacob were part of a family that was especially bless because their grandfather Abraham had obeyed God. The Lord promised to bless them with choice land; and to bless the world through their “offspring” (Genesis 15:18; 22:18; 26:2-5). However, Esau did not particularly value the family’s godly heritage of his birthright as the eldest son. He sold his birthright to Jacob (who especially valued it) for a bowl of soup.
When Esau came home very hungry after hunting in the field, Jacob offered him a bowl of soup in exchange for his birthright. Because of a moment of hunger and weakness, Esau disregarded the value of his birthright and agreed to trade it for a bowl of soup (Genesis 25:29-34).
Esau later recognized what he gave up as the birthright as eldest son. When his father Isaac was feeble and dying he unknowingly blessed Jacob instead of Esau saying: “May God give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who blesses you!” (Genesis 27:28-29).
God used Jacob to fulfill promises God originally made to his grandfather Abraham–especially God’s promise to save the world through the “offspring” of Abraham. God included Jacob as a parent in the lineage of God’s promised Savior of the world, through the “offspring”–Jesus Christ (Matthews 1).
BLESSINGS FROM VALUING OUR GOD-GIVING BIRTHRIGHTS
We have God-given birthright by repenting and believing in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior (John3:16, Act 2:38). Valuing our God-given birthrights above all else, and following God’s instructions, we can keep the devil from deceiving and defrauding us of our rights:
RIGHT TO BE CHILDREN OF GOD. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God (1 John 3:1).
RIGHT OF LOVING RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. Love the Lord your God with all you heart, soul and mind—by obeying his commandments (Matthew 22:37; John 14:15).
RECEIVING HELP FROM GOD. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth (John 14:15-17).
ABILITY TO BECOME LIKE JESUS. Jesus always did the things that pleased God the Father, rather than please himself. (John 8:29; Luke 22:42; Romans 8:29).
PRAYER TO GOD. Understanding we can do nothing without the God, we can pray for help and guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 15:51; Philippians 4:13). The Spirit guides and enables us to do God’s will (John 14:16; Acts 1:8)
GUIDANCE FROM GOD. The Holy Spirit uses the inspired written words of God to equip us to be blessed by doing the will of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Proverbs 3:5-6).
CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jesus said, “I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3). And he has made us kings and priests unto God and his Father (Revelation 1:6). There is laid up for us a crown of righteousness, which the Lord shall give to us who value and love his reappearance (2 Timothy 4:8).
