The story of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of lentil stew may just look like an unusual account of sibling rivalry gone too far. The book of Hebrews mentions this story in order to encourage each of us to treasure our spiritual birthright.
Lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one meal gave up his own birthright. Hebrews 12:16
Take a look at this story in Genesis 25:22-26, 29-34. Obviously Esau didn't value the birthright as much as Jacob. On page 584 in chapter 52 of the Life-Studies of Hebrews Witness explains what this birthright included:
Esau's birthright as the firstborn son of Isaac was the double portion of the land, the priesthood, and the kingship. Due to his profaneness in giving up his birthright, the double portion of the land went to Joseph (1 Chron. 5:1-2), the priesthood went to Levi (Deut. 33:8-10), and the kingship was assigned to Judah (Gen. 49:10; 1 Chron. 5:2) (Lee. Witness. Life-Study of Hebrews. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1975, Print).
What spoke to me the most as I was reading this chapter was that we each have this birthright, and if we practice using our birthright in this age, it will become a reward to us in the next age!
You can also listen to live excerpts from these messages on Hebrews on The Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee. You will enjoy listening to both the excerpts from these spoken messages and the helpful and enlightening commentary of the radio hosts.
Other Posts on the Life-Study of Hebrews:
Why is the Background of the Book of Hebrews Important to Understanding This Book?
What Does God's Speaking Show us In Hebrews 1:1-2?
What Does Hebrews 2:10 Say About Christ?
How Does the Lord Sanctify Us In Hebrews 2:11?
The High Priest in Hebrews 2:17 Makes Me Think of the Poem Footprints
Why is the Sabbath Rest Mentioned in Hebrews 4:9?
Why is Unbelief in Hebrews 3:12 the Biggest Offense to God?
How Do We Come Forward in Hebrews 4:16?
What Does Hebrews 6:1 Say About Christian Maturity?
What Does Hebrews 8 Tell Us About the Differences Between the Old & New Testaments?
What Does It Mean to Gain our Soul in Hebrews 10:39?
Have You Seen God's Silence in Hebrews 11?
How Do You Run the Christian Race in Hebrews 12?
What is the Birthright About in Hebrews 12:16?
From the Life-Study of Hebrews - What is the Central Concept of the Bible?
What's the Focus of the Book of Hebrews?
You can also listen to live excerpts from these messages on Hebrews on The Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee. You will enjoy listening to both the excerpts from these spoken messages and the helpful and enlightening commentary of the radio hosts.
Other Posts on the Life-Study of Hebrews:
Why is the Background of the Book of Hebrews Important to Understanding This Book?
What Does God's Speaking Show us In Hebrews 1:1-2?
What Does Hebrews 2:10 Say About Christ?
How Does the Lord Sanctify Us In Hebrews 2:11?
The High Priest in Hebrews 2:17 Makes Me Think of the Poem Footprints
Why is the Sabbath Rest Mentioned in Hebrews 4:9?
Why is Unbelief in Hebrews 3:12 the Biggest Offense to God?
How Do We Come Forward in Hebrews 4:16?
What Does Hebrews 6:1 Say About Christian Maturity?
What Does Hebrews 8 Tell Us About the Differences Between the Old & New Testaments?
What Does It Mean to Gain our Soul in Hebrews 10:39?
Have You Seen God's Silence in Hebrews 11?
How Do You Run the Christian Race in Hebrews 12?
What is the Birthright About in Hebrews 12:16?
From the Life-Study of Hebrews - What is the Central Concept of the Bible?
What's the Focus of the Book of Hebrews?
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