One key lesson every child of God should draw from Esau’s sale of his birthright to Jacob is placing value on the privileges that come with the new birth or rebirth. In Genesis 25:29-34, the Bible tells us how Esau traded his birthright for a portion of stew because of hunger. That is how many have traded their privileges in Christ for temporary pleasures or fleshly satisfaction. May the Lord grant someone reading this message the grace to overcome ‘Esau’s hunger’.
“And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.” Genesis 25:19-34
We come in contact with ‘Jacob(s)’ as we go about our businesses daily, perhaps, in church, school, office or online. Looking at the meaning of Jacob – supplant, circumvent, assail, one can see the qualities and devices used by satan and his cohorts to bring down children of God. Little wonder, God changed his name from Jacob to Israel. As Jacob ceased the hunger opportunity to supplant Esau, so satan passes through vessels to cause the fall of careless Christians. For this reason, Apostle Paul admonishes us to maintain our walk with God lest we fall.
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12
Birthright, as defined by Merriam Webster online dictionary, is “a right, privilege, or possession to which a person is entitled by birth.” In this message, I will discuss birthright from a new birth perspective. New birthright is a privilege enjoyed by those who are born again or born of the Spirit of God. For a believer to value the privileges in Christ, he or she must understand what these privileges are. New birth or being born again translates an individual to the kingdom of God where redemptive rights and supernatural privileges are enjoyed. It is an initiation into the class and power of God.
New Birth Privileges
There are great privileges born again Christians enjoy. Being born again is not a biological birth but being born of the Spirit of God. A regeneration of one’s spirit occurs and God’s power is infused into the believer. The character, attitude and conduct of God begin to manifest in the believer as a result of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13
In his book, ‘Born Again’, Dag Heward-mills explains that joining a church; sending money to church; playing a role in church; praying every day; being baptized; being confirmed; taking holy communion; being in a Christian family, being a moralist among others are not the same as being born again. So one can be in church for a long time without being born of God. Those who are born again enjoy the following privileges.
The Holy Spirit dwells in you
Your body becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit when you receive or accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Bible tells us that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty; so you become free from disease, sickness and other forms of satanic attack.
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19
“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11
“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Corinthians 3:17
You become a god
You issue commands to satan and his cohorts because you are a god. Like begets like, so the gene of God finds full expression in you. The same way God made Moses god over Pharaoh, you are privileged to judge your enemies.
“I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.” Psalms 82:6
“And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.” Exodus 7:11
You become an ambassador for Christ
Christ’s ambassadors enjoy full immunity against natural laws and satanic oppression. They in the world but not of the world because they are citizens of Heaven.
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20
“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.” Philippians 3:20
You become the light of the world
Light drives away darkness. As the light of the world, God works through the believer to touch lives positively by showing them the way out of darkness. The believer continues to shine because God’s glory is seen in him or her.
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid…..Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14,16
You become a priest and king
“And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:6
Kings are known for exercising power and authority. When you are born again you have the privilege to exercise your authority of forces of darkness. As a New Testament priest, a believer can stand in the gap for his or her family members, friends and nations.
You become the salt of the earth
A born again Christian is called the salt of the earth because his or her life enhances and gives meaning to life. Jesus used salt to describe how Christians are relevant in bringing balance and hope to an otherwise dying world. The believer is positioned to add flavor to the lives of unbelievers and sinners who are in the state of ignorance and decay.
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.” Matt. 5:13 (New Living Translation)
These are some privileges enjoyed by born again Christians and they come with the redemptive package – power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing. What shall it profit us, if we lose these privileges because of ‘Esau’s hunger’? Esau’s hunger could be greed for money and material things; urge for illegal sexual relations and hunger to satisfy foolish fleshly desires. Many people have lost their place in Christ having traded their new birth privileges to satisfy the flesh. Paul admonishes us to steer clear from ungodliness as many believe that God’s grace still abound for sinners in church.
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:1-2
Esau could have drank some water to sustain him until he prepares a meal, but he ended up despising his birthright. As a believer, I urge you to value your redemptive rights and look unto Jesus to overcome ‘Esau’s hunger’. Constantly fellowship with God in prayer and studying His word. Be a faithful kingdom steward and your reward is guaranteed.
As an unbeliever reading this message, you can see the privileges you are losing because you are outside God’s family. To be admitted into God’s kingdom, you need to confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Say this prayer of salvation.
Sunday Omori
HEM Int'l 