When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. Esau said to Jacob, "Let me eat some of that red stuff, for I am famished!" (Therefore he was called Edom.) Jacob said, "First sell me your birthright." Esau said, "I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?" Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank, and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Genesis 25:27-34

Some people can treat as worthless something that is valuable. That is what Esau did. Esau sold his birthright for a meal. He did not see the value of what he was giving up. Only when it was too late to undo his sale, did he realize that he had sacrificed the permanent of the altar for something immediate, but temporary.

Ask the Lord to help you discern what is worth keeping and what should be discarded.

Why pay the price for this world’s bargains

when eternal life is free?

Our Daily Bread – January 8, 2005