We often hear of people "selling out" to satisfy a momentary lust at the expense of future blessings. What a terrible exchange people, churches, and nations have made, and are making!
Adam and Eve were the first to do this by trading life for a bite of fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Man has been tempted to nibble on that fruit ever since.
In the life of Jacob and Esau we witness this bad bargain of exchanging a blessed birthright for a bowl of bean soup. Esau was a covenant child by birth. In a time of great hunger he agreed to trade the blessings of being first-born in order to satisfy his hunger. What he received in exchange was a bowl of soup made of reddish-brown beans. In Gen. 25:30 he literally says, "Feed me, I beg you, with the red, the red!" Even his heathen descendants bore the name "red" (his nation, Edom, means "red.")
Later in life, he still desired the blessing of his father with tears, but he never repented in tears for selling it to Jacob. We know that the sovereign grace of God accounted for Jacob's salvation and Esau's rejection. Yet, Esau is held responsible for his actions. He is not rejected because of his works (even though sinful), anymore than Jacob (a tricky deceiver) is saved because of his works. The blessing is by grace alone. But, Esau's actions show the depravity of his heart. "He despised his birthright" (Gen. 25:34) and despised the grace of God. To him his covenant birthright was worth no more than a bowl of soup.
How much do we value the blessing of being a covenant child of God? The aroma of soup-immediate gratification-fills the air around us. Temptations abound. What looks like a good momentary trade can have everlasting results.
A birthright for bean soup-that trade is often prevalent in our society. Many salivate for gratification no matter what the cost. Many are later sorry for the life they endure, but not for selling out to acts of immorality, drugs, or crime. Many tears are shed, like Esau, for the situation, but not for the sin. By nature, we all have a taste for bean soup instead of righteousness. By the grace of God alone that appetite is changed.
In the life of God's people we see covenant people of God bargain away the truth of the Word of God, for acceptance in the world they live in-a quick fix for a fleshly fixation. In the church, whole denominations, hungering for acceptance, have fallen from the blessed truth of God's promise only lose the blessing and become covenant-breakers. They're eating bean soup now; but without repentance, they will later be begging for just a drop of water.
Jesus warns us, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt. 16:26) How much is the everlasting salvation of your soul worth? Think about it before negotiating a trade with anyone or anything.
The temptation to sell out is there for all of us, just as Satan dangled false promises before Jesus in the wilderness. Our Savior Jesus did not yield, so He would not sin against His Father and could be the perfect satisfaction for our sin.
Look at some positive examples from other mere mortals. Moses could have sold out his faith, but instead, "by faith . . . refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward." (Heb. 11:23-26)
The Apostle Paul already had all the Pharisaical perks, but later, as a committed Christian, he assessed the damage: "... what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ . ..." (Phil. 3:7-8) Being faithful to the Lord he had lost nothing, and gained everything.
The choices between our Christian covenant birthright and bean soup is always before us. Think carefully of the blessings that are ours as covenant people-to us and our children. Don't ever sell it short. Children, think of the blessing of being taught the glorious promises of God at home and in church. Never despise these blessings or take them for granted. They are a gracious gift from God!
If you have made some sinful bargains, there is still hope. Seek forgiveness with tears, for God is merciful. He gives the promise to all who repent and believe in the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ, that they shall be the sons of God and inheritors of the kingdom of heaven. This is the blessing of God to all who keep God's covenant.
It is free. It is satisfying. It is forever.
