Choosing the Flesh Over God

Isaac was the firstborn son of Abraham and Sarah. He married Rebekah, and Isaac and Rebekah had twin sons, Esau and Jacob, in that order.

 

Genesis 25:29-34 BSB (Berean Standard Bible)

 

27When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home. 28Because Isaac had a taste for wild game, he loved Esau; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

 

29One day, while Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the field and was famished. 30He said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am famished.” (That is why he was also called Edom.) 31“First sell me your birthright,” Jacob replied. 32“Look,” said Esau, “I am about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?” 33“Swear to me first,” Jacob said. So Esau swore to Jacob and sold him the birthright. 34Then Jacob gave some bread and lentil stew to Esau, who ate and drank and then got up and went away. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

 

An Observation

 

Was Jacob right in what he did to his brother Esau? No! He wasn’t. Why? Esau was his twin brother. His brother was hungry. So he should have given his brother something to eat free of charge. But he took advantage of his brother’s weakened condition and he used that to take from his brother his brother’s birthright as the first born son. But did Esau do right in giving up his birthright for a bowl of stew? No! He didn’t do right either. For he was to be the one to assume his father’s authority and responsibilities once his father died, i.e. he was to assume the leadership role in the family.

 

A New Testament Perspective

 

Hebrews 12:14-17 BSB (Berean Standard Bible)

 

“14Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. 15See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many. 16See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright. 17For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. He could find no ground for repentance, though he sought the blessing with tears.”

 

Esau’s failure is being used in this context, not for the purpose to discuss his actions of surrendering his birthright for a bowl of stew, but as an illustration to describe what it looks like when those who profess faith in Jesus Christ give up the inheritance that could be theirs, by faith in Jesus Christ, in order to satisfy and to gratify the lusts of the flesh, instead. For without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Those who give lip service to God but who continue in deliberate and habitual sin against God will not inherit eternal life with God. For their sins are more important to them than retaining the blessing.

 

Sadly, that is where many people are today who profess faith in Christ and who are holding on to the hope that they will receive the blessing while they choose the lusts of the flesh over that blessing. Many of them are still living in addiction to sin in sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery, lying, cheating, stealing, etc. while faking good, while they habitually continue to commit sin against God and against those they are supposed to love. If they are men, they give up the spiritual leadership role in the family in order to engage willfully in their addiction, which they keep hidden, but not from God.

 

Then there is the example of Jacob who took advantage of his own brother’s weakness in order to steal from him something which was not rightfully his to have. And this reminds me of these teachers and preachers of “the gospel” who are speaking lies to the people, and who are taking advantage of people’s weaknesses, and they are feeding them lies disguised as truth. And while being promised forgiveness of all sins and heaven as their eternal destiny, those who believe them are headed straight for hell because they have not repented of their sin, and they don’t obey God in life practice.

 

[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:1-22; 2 Corinthians 5:10,15,21; Galatians 5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation 3:1-22]

 

Choosing the Flesh Over God

An Original Work / September 27, 2026

Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

 

In Keeping Them

 

Based off Psalm 111:10; Psalm 19:7-11

An Original Work / June 3, 2014

Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

 

Stand in awe of your Lord. Harken to His teachings.

Follow where He leads you. Live for Him today.

Through Him you gain wisdom; knowledge; understanding.

To my Lord belongs all worship and my praise.

 

Perfect is the Word, refreshing souls in His love.

His commands are faithful, guiding us each day.

Joy comes to the heart of those who love His teachings;

Follow His instructions. He will light their way.

 

Abide in the Lord, and obey His commandments.

His Word is more precious than all of our gold.

By His Word He warns us, comforts, and implores us.

When we follow His Word, there is great reward.

 

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