Birthright

In the Jonathan Biffert clan I am the proud possessor of the Biffert Birthright!  Now you may wonder why I am even wasting your time to brag about my position among my family.  Before you stop reading take a moment and consider your birthright if you have one, and think about how we really have no understanding of the importance of birthright in our culture.  In America all that our parents own is evenly dispersed among all of the children.  Often funerals can be a cat fight about who is going to get what.  However, in the ancient days, it was the first born that would inherit 'The Blessing' of the father.  The birthright was a very tangible mantle that was passed on through generations.  In the days of Abraham, Isaac, and Esau they understood the birthright.  Now your thinking wasn't it Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?  You are right, however, Jacob was not the firstborn.  In fact, Esau was the firstborn and entitled to his father’s birthright.  However, he lost sight of the importance of that mantle on his life.  Jacob was searching for a way to gain that favor and blessing.  One day the opportunity presented itself.  Esau famished from a long hunt in the wild happened upon Jacob making a pot of red stew (Wendy's chili).  It smelled so good and started peek the taste buds in Esau's mouth.  He begged Jacob for a bowl but he refused to give Esau anything until Esau surrendered his birthright.  In that moment Esau in total disregard for his destiny, The Blessing of his Grandfather, and the promises of his Birthright made the decision to change the course of history and sell his birthright (Salvation, destiny, favor and blessing) for a bowl of chili.  The cravings and appetites of his stomach beset Esau future.

Satan works in the same pattern against our lives.  Through Jesus Christ the believer possesses 'the birthright' of the Kingdom of God.  This ‘birthright’ is our mark of being a person of Christ, a possessor of His inheritance, and a channel of His Grace.  Satan’s whole existence is to create a stew that would be so tempting that it would cause you to sell your birthright for a temporary pleasure.  When you are in the valley, and your life seems famished and weary, beware of the man with a pot of chili.  Beware of the person, or philosophies, or even pleasures that try to get you to abandon your faith in the birthright for your life.  Never undervalue the importance of the birthright in your life. It is that birthright that will cause you to have True life on earth with a lasting legacy leading you to the eternal life in Heaven.  What is it that is trying to get you to sell out your birthright in order to possess a fleeting pleasure?