And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.  And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.  And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: and Esau said to Jacob, “Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint:” therefore was his name called Edom.  And Jacob said, “Sell me this day thy birthright.”  And Esau said, “Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?”  And Jacob said, “Swear to me this day;” and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.  Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
Genesis 25:27-34

Within the inspired word of God, “Birthright” was what was to be given to the firstborn son within a family.  When the father and mother had departed from this life the elder son or the one who had received the birthright, received all that went with it.  He would become the head of the family, receive most of any wealth the family may have, and if his mother was still living it was his responsibility to care for her and see to it that she had all that she needed.  It was an honor, a blessing, and a great responsibility.

We see in our text for today, looking at Esau and Jacob, that Esau did not think too much of his birthright,  and Jacob (the heel catcher) knew its worth, and desired to have it; he got it.

We are told that “Esau despised his birthright” in verse 34.  When Isaac, their father had called Esau to go hunting and prepare him a meal, then he would receive the blessing as the elder son, it appears that he wanted the blessing.  However he had sold the birthright for a bowl of pottage, bread and lentils, because he felt himself near death.

Esau is used as an example of how we need not  be.  For example:we

“Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.”  Hebrews 12:16

We are also told about Esau:

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. Hebrews 11:20

When Esau had returned to Isaac for the blessing, and found out what his brother Jacob had done He sought, with tears, for the blessing. He received a  blessing, but not the blessing of the first born. Because he had despised the birthright.

As a Christian we have a birthright given to us through the Lord Jesus Christ. We are “joint heirs” with the only begotten Son of God’ and all that is His is ours, to be received when we see  Him in glory (Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:29; Titus 3:7).

When we are born again through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that is when become joint-heirs with Christ, and that includes the suffering with Him (Romans 8:17), and includes being glorified with Him.

Admit that you are a sinner, that you have sinned, Confess Jesus as your Lord. Believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead. You will be saved, and be an heir with Jesus Christ.