Christian Writers Circle

Don’t Forfeit Your Inheritance
by Judy Hitson

Genesis 25:33 NLT But Jacob said, “First you must swear that your birthright is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob.

What is a birthright?
 
Birthright (bekorah) has to do with both position and inheritance. By birthright, the firstborn son inherited the leadership of the family and the judicial authority of his father. Wikipedia -Jacob and Esau

Esau was so hungry, he cared more about filling his stomach then the privilege of his birthright as firstborn son. We see in Gen.25:29-32 Esau said he was starved and asked Jacob for some stew. Consider the vital lesson for us to subdue cravings of our natural desires for what is of greater value. In this case, we read Esau sold his birthright to his younger brother. We see he chose temporary pleasure rather than his family position and inheritance.

Today laws on inheritance differ from the ancient Biblical practice of birthright. However, my heart was impacted to understand Esau’s choice to sell his birthright and what we can learn from this for our lives.

Desires of our human nature can lead to wrong choices. 

There is a stark contrast in Luke 4 when Jesus was tempted by Satan. The key here is that Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit. This had me thinking of the privilege we have since the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Compared to Esau in the Old Testament, we can be filled with the Holy Spirit.

In the sense of eternity and our spiritual inheritance, it matters how we live.

Pastor Allen Jackson, World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, TN once said: “If you don’t turn your heart to the Lord, you will forfeit your inheritance.”

Let us turn our hearts to the Lord and not forfeit His inheritance for us. As the Lord had a plan for Jeremiah’s life (Jer.29:11), He has a plan for our lives. Pray with me Psalm 139:23-24 AMP Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.

Closing Prayer: Father, turn our hearts to You in Jesus name to follow You all the days of our lives. Help us think of eternity and the spiritual inheritance You planned for us. You are worthy of our all. Amen.