WHAT PROFIT SHALL THIS BIRTHRIGHT DO TO ME?

MEMORY VERSE: And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? Genesis 25:32

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 72-74

If a man has something and does not value it, if care is not taken he may lose it. So also a woman, if she has something and does not value it, she may lose it if care is not taken. If an organisation or establishment has something probably dedicated staffs or an advantage and they do not value it, they will lose the staffs or the advantage if care is not taken. An example of a fellow who lost something he did not value was Esau. In ancient times, the birthright was a very important and sacred thing. It belonged to the firstborn. The family name and titles were to pass along to the eldest son. He would also receive a chief portion of the inheritance. But it was more than just a title to the physical assets of a family. It was also a spiritual position, and in the case of the people of God, God would lead the family through patriarchs, or fathers (Hebrews 1:1-2). Additionally, in the special case of Esau and Jacob, that meant the one to whom belonged the birthright was the one through who the covenant promise made to their grandfather, Abraham, would be realized. Ultimately, the Messiah would come through the holder of the birthright and bless the nations of the earth. Esau was the firstborn, and the birthright was his. Unfortunately, he didn’t think much of his birthright. Genesis 25:32 says, “And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?” He so belittled his birthright that he traded it for a pot of red porridge. Hebrew 12:16 says, “Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.” Although the birthright was his by default, he lost it because he didn't value it.

Had he valued his birthright, he would have protected it and kept it. Had he cherished it, he would have rather chosen to die of hunger than trade it for food. Another person who did not value what she had was Queen Vashti. Her husband, King Ahasuerus (Xerxes), was the supreme ruler of the Persian Empire. Her husband ruled over a kingdom which had 127 provinces. As such, she was the number one woman in the Persian Empire. Because she didn’t value her husband, the king, she disobeyed him when he called for her (Esther 1). Before she knew it , she was replaced with an orphan girl who valued the king. I pray that you will never lose something valuable in the name of Jesus. This bring us to the question, do you value what you have? Do you value your God-fearing wife who submits to you? A lot take advantage of their God-fearing wives who submit to them. Instead of loving her with the love of Christ, they beat her up at any provocation. Do you value your God-fearing husband who loves you? Instead of submitting to him, do you nag him? Instead of submitting to him, do you abuse him? As a church pastor, do you value the workers in the vineyard of God? As a member, do you value the pastor and his wife? Do you know that many of them stay awake to intercede for you and your family whilst you are asleep? One way you can show that you value them is by supporting the good work they are doing.

QUESTION: Do you value that connection? Do you value that opportunity to grow your spiritual gifts? Do you value that neighbour who watches after your kids when you are at work? Do you value that neighbour who collects your parcels for you when you are not at home? Do you value your business associates? Do you value the grace of God on your life? Do you value the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world for Jesus.