Scripture
Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. He showed contempt for his rights as the first born.

Observation
Isaac and Rebekah have difficulty with having babies. They pray and Rebekah becomes pregnant with twins- Esau and Jacob.

Esau is the outdoors man While Jacob is a stay at home person. Isaac favours Esau while Rebekah favours Jacob.

One day Esau come sin to find Jacob cooking stew. He pleads for some but Jacob decides to strike a bargain for his cooking. The price of the stew is to be Esau's birthright as the first-born.

Foolishly, Esau gives his birthright away. The Bible says, “He showed contempt for his birthright.”

Application
The book of Hebrews is particularly hard on Esau for despising his birthright. While we don't understand all the reasons for this in our very different culture, there are a few lessons to draw.

1. Esau despised his God-given destiny. He was only interested in the flesh and not in the plan that God had for his life. God had given him a position of honour yet he gave it away for mere food.

2. Esau despised the family honour. Basically he was saying “I don't care for the rights and responsibilities of my role in this family.”

3. Esau despised his father. The first-born was meant to embody the father's character, honour, plans and desires. Esau turned his back on all of this.

Prayer
Lord help me to honour my place in your kingdom, my family and my parents. May I never turn my back on these things. Amen.