30 Jun July 7 – Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE BOOK OF HEBREWS

INSTANT GRATIFICATION

Hebrews 12:16-17 “See that no one . . . is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.  Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.”

The story of Esau is one of a number that are found in the Old Testament. Esau was the oldest son of Isaac. His birth position meant he was entitled to a birthright.  A birthright was the Father’s last will and testament.  It entitled Esau to a double portion of his father’s property. It also included a dynamic spiritual blessing near the end of the father’s life passing on God’s covenant promise. One day Esau came home from hunting.  He was extremely hungry.  He smelled the aroma of a red stew his brother Jacob had prepared.  He asked for a bowl of the stew.  Genesis 25:31 says Jacob told Esau that “first he had to sell him his birthright.”  Cavalierly, Esau replied to Jacob, “What good is the birthright to me?”  He despised his birthright and sold his birthright for a bowl of stew. (Genesis 25:34)

The writer to the Hebrews calls Esau profane.  This meant that he was secular, worldly, non-religious.  His paternal family and his being a member of Yahweh’s family were meaningless to him.  He gave it all away for a bowl of stew to get rid of his physical hunger.  To help you better understand the word profane, its antonym (opposite meaning) is holy.

These two verses in Hebrews 12 are a warning to you and all Christians.  Satan is not above tempting you with instant-gratification.  If it is not a bowl of stew, it might be giving up your Christian ethics to “make a killing” on a business deal.  Whatever it is, Satan is truly trying to lead you to trade in your faith in Jesus, your trust in Your heavenly Father, to forsake your dependence upon the Holy Spirit to make and keep you holy.

Jesus said, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”  Thankfully, “In His great mercy (God) has given (you) a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”  (1 Peter 1:3-5)

Prayer:  Lord, send Your Holy Spirit to keep my heart focused upon the eternal life You have promised me through Christ Jesus my Savior.  In His holy name.  Amen.

What is the world to me With all its vaunted pleasure

When You, and You alone, Lord Jesus, are my treasure!

You only, dearest Lord, My soul’s delight shall be;

You are my peace, my rest, What is the world to me!

The world seeks to be praised And honored by the mighty

Yet never once reflects That they are frail and flighty.

But what I truly prize Above all things is He,

My Jesus, He alone, What is the world to me!

The world seeks after wealth And all that mammon offers

Yet never is content Though gold should fill its coffers.

I have a higher good, Content with it I’ll be:

My Jesus is my wealth, What is the world to me!

What is the world to me! My Jesus is my treasure,

]My life, my health, my wealth, My friend, my love, my pleasure.

My joy, my crown, my all, My bliss eternally.

Once more, then, I declare:  What is the world to me!

(LSB 730)