Spiritually Irresponsible
Devotions for Growing Christians
Spiritually Irresponsible
What would you call a person who doesn’t plan ahead? How would you describe a person who doesn’t consider the long-lasting implications of his or her actions? What about a person who ignores the duties he or she has been given in life? We can sum up a fitting descriptor in one word: irresponsible.
The second half of Genesis 25 covers the early years of Jacob and Esau. Both brothers were spiritually irresponsible in their own ways. Their story has practical lessons for our lives today, especially about the importance of making good decisions.
Background Notes
Jacob and Esau were probably in their teens or early twenties during the events of Genesis 25. Even though they were twins, they had opposite personalities. Let’s put it this way: if they were around today, Jacob would have the Food Network app, and Esau would be a gold card member at Bass Pro Shops. Jacob was a homebody, and Esau was an outdoorsman.
One day Esau returned from hunting and smelled an amazing stew that Jacob had bubbling over the fire. Jacob may have planned this whole scenario, knowing that Esau would be starving after his long day tracking game. Esau was apparently so hungry that he was willing to give Jacob his birthright so he could eat (Genesis 25:29-34).
What exactly was the “birthright”? It was a legal honor given to the firstborn and consisted of three things:
- A position of supremacy in the family (“head of the household” status).
- A double portion of the inheritance.
- Spiritual responsibilities in the family.
Jacob and Esau were twins, but Esau was born first, so the birthright rightfully belonged to Esau. However, in those days it was legal to transfer the benefits of the birthright. The Nuzi Tablets (extra-biblical records that date back to patriarchal times) mention these legal and binding birthright transactions.
In those times there was no priesthood, so the priestly rights and privileges, as well as the pastoral responsibilities for the family were part of the birthright. The birthright in this particular scenario also carried the very important promise of the Messianic lineage. But Esau was so hungry that he was willing to sell his rights as the firstborn to Jacob - for a simple bowl of stew!
Teaching Points
1. Despising spiritual responsibility is a serious sin.
“Then 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 firstborn.” (v34).
Esau didn’t care about his birthright. To him it was no big deal. He even despised it. This negative and sinful attitude was very serious because of the spiritual aspect to the birthright. Hebrews 12:16 even warns us not to be like Esau: “Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal.” Esau had little or no appreciation for the priority of God in his life.
Is it possible that you are like “Esau”? You may say, “I would never despise God!” But let’s take a look at our priorities. If we would prefer to spend Sunday morning sleeping, playing golf, or scrolling through social media rather than worshiping God, it could be an indication that we don’t care about God’s place in our lives and/or our spiritual responsibilities and growth. It’s not wrong to enjoy recreational activities, but our priorities indicate what we value. There are many other examples we could give, but “despising” any area of our spiritual lives is a serious sin.
2. Scheming for spiritual blessing is a serious mistake.
Unlike Esau, Jacob didn’t despise the things of God. In fact, it appears that Jacob appreciated spiritual values to some degree. He wanted the birthright and was willing to assume spiritual responsibility for the family. However, Jacob went about getting the birthright in the wrong way.
Jacob was a schemer. (We learn more about that in the later chapters of Genesis.) It’s quite likely that Jacob had been plotting for some time to obtain the birthright. If he could catch Esau at the right moment, he could finagle the birthright away from him.
It’s a serious mistake to obtain spiritual responsibility by scheming. All Jacob had to do was wait on the Lord. God had clearly declared before they were born that the older brother would serve the younger (Gen 25:23), but Jacob couldn’t wait for God. He rushed ahead with his own plan. This was a serious mistake, and Jacob suffered serious consequences.
There are many applications of this principle today, but an obvious area would be handling money responsibly in the church. Most of us have probably heard stories in the news about misused funds or manipulative schemes for raising money in some churches and ministries. Raising funds isn’t wrong, but using unbiblical methods and manipulative ways is a form of scheming.
If we wait faithfully, God to supply the needs of the church or ministry. He will do this in His will, in His time, and in His way. If Jacob had waited for God, he would have received the birthright without a devious plan.
Unfortunately, Jacob’s first scheme wasn’t his last. In Genesis 27, he deceived his aging father and gained the patriarchal blessing. A pattern of scheming characterized Jacob’s life until God finally put a stop to it. In Genesis 32, Jacob found himself literally struggling with God! The Lord brought him to the realization that his life was not in his own hands, but in God’s hands. Spiritual scheming is a serious mistake.
Practical Applications
1. Will you sell your birthright for a single meal?
Esau sold his birthright for a simple meal. It seems so foolish to sacrifice spiritual blessing for a brief moment of physical satisfaction, but it can happen to us as well.
At the seminary I attended, I looked forward to studying with a professor I admired and respected. Unfortunately, upon arrival, I discovered that he had been forced to resign because of a marital affair. For earthly pleasure, he had removed himself from great spiritual blessing in his own life, and in the lives of many others. He didn’t lose his salvation, but he brought shame upon the Lord, the Christian community, and himself - and great grief to his family.
Every Christian is vulnerable. Christians trade their spiritual blessings for all kinds of things: career success, earthly wealth, positions of power, retirement plans, etc. Will you trade your spiritual blessings for physical or material benefits? Will you sell your birthright for a single meal?
2. Don’t expect to find happiness if you cheat to get it!
Jacob may have thought the birthright and blessing would bring him happiness. But his schemes only brought heartache and problems. Jacob was forced to flee from home because of Esau’s murderous rage, and Rebekah never saw her favorite son again. There was no lasting happiness in Jacob’s life, and it was a direct result of his schemes.
During my years of teaching at a Christian college, a few students have come to me to confess that they cheated on an exam. These students thought that getting a higher grade would bring them happiness and success, but they discovered that they weren’t at peace with themselves and with God until they confessed.
If you lie in your job interview, or cheat others in business deals, don’t expect to find fulfillment in your job and career. If you’re untruthful to your spouse, don’t expect to find joy in your marriage. And for younger people, if you lie to your parents, don’t expect a happy family life.
For a life of joy and contentment, let the Lord work out His plan for your life — and follow Him!
- Dave Reid
(Updated 2022, Ron Reid)