The hunter was about to walk into a trap. After a successful day in the field, Esau was famished. Approaching his father’s settlement, he caught the savory smell of food cooking over an open fire. Drawn by the scent, Esau unknowingly walked into a snare set by his own brother.
As Esau approached the campfire, there sat Jacob slowing stirring a pot of stew. Strange. What is Jacob doing preparing a meal out here in the field. Jacob’s timing was perfect. He knew his brother well. Sure enough, Esau could not resist the savory stew.
Seizing the opportunity, Jacob was more than willing to share his dinner with Esau. But there was one condition. A bowl of stew in exchange for Esau’s birthright. Jacob was cunning. He saw the value of the birthright which included a double portion of the inheritance from the father, and the ceremonial blessing. Unbeknownst to Jacob was the additional benefit of being included in the promises of God made to Abraham.
Sitting by the campfire, Esau cared nothing about the future. All that mattered was immediate gratification. The desire to satisfy his ravenous appetite clouded his better judgment. Quickly agreeing to the terms, Esau ate while Jacob watched. And in the words of the Hebrew writer, “traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal” (Hebrews 12:16 NIV).
Reflecting on this story, one writer noted, “This incident in the life of Esau reveals the danger of a person’s weak moments, and warns us of how much can be thrown away in a single moment, never again to be recovered.”
The enemy knows our weak places, and that is where he focuses his attacks. Satan did not tempt Jesus to turn the stones into bread on the first day of His fast, but on the fortieth day when Jesus was very hungry. Jacob did not tempt Esau with the savory stew at the beginning of the hunt. He waited until his brother had spent a day in the field and returned weak with hunger.
Watch out for the weak moments when the normal defenses are down. Irreparable injury can be done in mere minutes. The best defense is to stay close to Jesus Christ, the strong Son of God. Trust in His strength, not your own. He will keep and protect you as you lean wholly on Him. With Christ you will successfully overcome the weak moments of life declaring with Paul, “When I am weak, then I am strong.”
Pastor Todd Weston
As Esau approached the campfire, there sat Jacob slowing stirring a pot of stew. Strange. What is Jacob doing preparing a meal out here in the field. Jacob’s timing was perfect. He knew his brother well. Sure enough, Esau could not resist the savory stew.
Seizing the opportunity, Jacob was more than willing to share his dinner with Esau. But there was one condition. A bowl of stew in exchange for Esau’s birthright. Jacob was cunning. He saw the value of the birthright which included a double portion of the inheritance from the father, and the ceremonial blessing. Unbeknownst to Jacob was the additional benefit of being included in the promises of God made to Abraham.
Sitting by the campfire, Esau cared nothing about the future. All that mattered was immediate gratification. The desire to satisfy his ravenous appetite clouded his better judgment. Quickly agreeing to the terms, Esau ate while Jacob watched. And in the words of the Hebrew writer, “traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal” (Hebrews 12:16 NIV).
Reflecting on this story, one writer noted, “This incident in the life of Esau reveals the danger of a person’s weak moments, and warns us of how much can be thrown away in a single moment, never again to be recovered.”
The enemy knows our weak places, and that is where he focuses his attacks. Satan did not tempt Jesus to turn the stones into bread on the first day of His fast, but on the fortieth day when Jesus was very hungry. Jacob did not tempt Esau with the savory stew at the beginning of the hunt. He waited until his brother had spent a day in the field and returned weak with hunger.
Watch out for the weak moments when the normal defenses are down. Irreparable injury can be done in mere minutes. The best defense is to stay close to Jesus Christ, the strong Son of God. Trust in His strength, not your own. He will keep and protect you as you lean wholly on Him. With Christ you will successfully overcome the weak moments of life declaring with Paul, “When I am weak, then I am strong.”
Pastor Todd Weston
