“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” (Genesis 25:32).
The soup pot released a wonderfully delicious smell that no man could resist; especially when Esau was starving. Esau was the hunter with a body full of hair. He showed very little surprise when Jacob, his twin brother, suggested the exchange of a bowl of soup for the right of the first born. Esau understood how sacred the right of the first born was. But he was so hungry. . . the hunger caused his thinking to be clouded. He accepted whatever might happen, provided that the desire to fill his stomach happened now!
Esau accepted the Jacob’s exchange proposal. He said “Ok,” so as not to delay the negotiation. Esau could not endure the hunger a moment longer. Even if he had to die after he ate, he still wanted to eat at that instance. He did not think ahead, that he would lose the special blessings that affected the rest of his life.
Only when you’re truly hungry, can you understand how difficult the temptation of food is. Jesus entered the temptation of Satan after He was without food for 40 days. When one is hungry, he can accept any consequences so that his stomach can be full. Temperance when one is full is not much of a value. But it is admirable when one is hard up but able to remain honest, in poverty and yet able to keep oneself pure.
Foods or drinks may be considered common and insignificant. But many people cannot control their appetite. God’s people must follow a different menu than the rest of the world. Like Daniel and his three Hebrew friends who ate differently from the rest of the special selected men in king Nebuchadnezzar’s time. The ability to govern the needs of the flesh indicates that we are growing up in the Lord and know how to govern our bodies. Remember, the ninth fruit of the spirit is temperance.
The control small things in our life demonstrate the strength of our will. He, who monitors his wants, keeps himself from self-indulgence.
Pastor Thoai Duong
Chuyển ngữ Minh Merideth.
