Making Good Decisions Genesis 25:29-34

29 Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished.

30 He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom

31 Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”

32 “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is birthright to me?”

33 But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.

34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.

So Esau despised his birthright.

When we see something we want our first thought, impulse and human reaction is to go after it to go for it and sometimes we don’t even consider the consequences or we consider the consequences afterwards and we react according to our impulses. 

Genesis 25:29-34 

Jacob was cooking stew and Esau made it home from working all day in the field in the wilderness and he was hungry and I am sure lightheaded probably had an attitude, I mean let’s be real and honest  we know how we act when we get hungry

( hangry) as we like to say. 

Jacob seized the opportunity because he knew that Esau was hungry and not only hungry he was also tired and dying of starvation. Genesis 25:31 All right, Jacob replied, “but trade me your rights as the first born son, Genesis 25:32 “Look I am dying of starvation! Said Esau. What good is my birthright to me now. 

Jacob basically took advantage of the situation knowing that Esau was desperately hungry and he wasn’t thinking clearly at that moment he didn’t care or really consider the consequences he responded on impulse and swore an oath therefore selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother Jacob. Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate then got up and left showing contempt for his rights as first born. 

By trading his birthright Esau displayed absolute total disregard for the spiritual blessing that he would have received if he would have made a better decision and of course he wasn’t thinking clearly and yes Esau knew that and that is why he took advantage very quickly he saw the opportunities and he took it and he succeeded. Esau traded a lasting eternal blessing for a temporary bite of food that was only a short temporary moment, he acted on impulse and immediate gratification and pleasure made him lose sight of his future blessings. The pressure of being hungry caused him to make a bad decision. 

I think we can all learn something from this at least I know I can. 

First and foremost always, I mean always think beforehand even if it takes a couple of hours or days to pray about it and think it through. 

Secondly, don't allow anyone to pressure you into making a quick decision especially when you don’t feel comfortable making the decision. If you feel pressure, irritated and agitated whenever you have an inch of feeling unsure the answer is either No or wait and let me think about it.  When someone can’t wait or respect your decision it’s definitely unquestionably a No. 

Always consider the consequences and don’t be persuaded and impulsive when making decisions that could potentially affect the remainder of your life or your children's life. 

We have to learn how to pray and wait and pray some more, sometimes when it’s too good to be true there is a possibility that it just might be. Don’t allow your flesh or your flesh like desires cause you to abort your blessings.

 You owe yourself every opportunity to receive all of God’s promises and blessings in his timing don’t make a quick temporary decision based on a 5 minute gratification, without considering the consequences we must  learn to choose wisely. 

**** Self Reflection ***

1. When was the last time that you made a quick impulsive decision and what was the outcome?

Sincerely,

Tamara

Hugs and Love