“It appears that anciently under the Patriarchal Order
certain special blessings, rights, powers, privileges -collectively called the
birthright- passed from father to his firstborn son.” (Elder Bruce R. McConkie)
This was the case in many situations, but not with Isaac and his two sons Esau
and Jacob. In their situation we see that the birthright required more than just
being the firstborn son, it also required righteous living in order to obtain
such a noble blessing.
It was apparent that Isaac’s two sons were very opposite
from the time they grew inside Rebekah’s womb. In Gen. 25:22-23 Rebekah wonders
why “the children struggled together with in her.” She takes this problem unto
the Lord and is told that “two nations are in thy womb…and the elder shall
serve the younger.” When the two sons were born, Esau was delivered first and
Jacob right after. Even though they were
brothers, twins at that, their differences were like night and day. Esau was “a
cunning hunter, a man of the field” and Jacob was “a plain man dwelling in
tents.” (Gen. 25:27). Because of his interest in more man related activities,
Esau was favored by his father, where Jacob was favored by his mother. We
further see the differences in how the boys favored sacred and spiritual
matters.
Because Esau was the firstborn son, he was set up to receive
the birthright. One day, Esau came in after putting in a laborious day in the
fields. He was very hungry and desired to eat some of the pottage that Jacob
had made. Jacob was willing to give Esau a bowl of pottage if he would “sell me
this day thy birthright.”(Gen. 25:31) Esau, being famished and feeling like he
was at “the point to die” (Gen. 25:32) said “what profit shall this birthright
do me?” (Gen. 25:33) Here we see Esau selling something of true value, his
birthright, for a mere bowl of pottage. Jacob on the other hand, understood the
birthright’s importance and how it would bless him in his life. Some may ask
why Esau would be so quick to sell something of great value for something that
will only satisfy him for just a second? In this story we see a very applicable
principle to our own actions.
Each and every one of us has a birthright given to us as
children of God. We are promised a gift of eternal life, where we can live
happily forever with our families and to one day be Gods ourselves. This
birthright though has conditions of righteousness just like the birthright
given to Jacob. We must live a good life here on earth, keeping the
commandments, serving others, and enduring to the end. If we do this, we will
earn the birthright promised to us, which is of such great value that we cannot
even comprehend it.
Just like Esau trading his birthright for something of
immediate satisfaction, many times we are guilty of doing the same. We have
been offered such a priceless birthright that there is nothing in this world
that even comes close in comparison. Many times though, we trade our birthright
by engaging in sin that satisfies are immediate wants, but puts us in peril of
not inheriting our God given birthright. Looking at the story of Esau, we may
judge him and say how could he do that, but many of us our guilty of doing the
exact same thing many times in our lives. Like Esau, we are guilty of not truly
understand the value of our birthright and therefore we trade it for something
like a mere bowl of pottage.
We must all gain a better understanding and appreciation for
the birthright that we have been given. We must keep an eternal perspective in every
action and decision we make. If we do this, we can make choices that will move
us closer to being worthy of our birthright, instead of moving us farther away.
I know it is so hard to do in these evil and wicked times, but I know that it
is possible. By keeping an eternal perspective, this life doesn’t seem
pointless anymore and we are able to gain more comfort in knowing that there are
better times ahead of us after we prove ourselves here on earth. None of us
want to give away the glorious blessing of living with our loved ones again
forever where there is no pain, sickness, death, heartache, etc. What a
wonderful time that will be, we just have to hang on and endure to the end.
I know these things to be true. I am grateful for the story
of Jacob and Esau that helps remind me that I need to make sure I am doing
everything I can in this life to be worthy to live with my Heavenly Father
again. I know that if we strive to do everything we can do in this life to live
righteously, that we will be rewarded for that. I know this gospel is true and
I know that by living its teachings we will be blessed in this life and the
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