Genesis 25:27-34
27 When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. 30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) 31 Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” 32 Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” 33 Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
I count myself as a visionary leader. I am a futurist when it comes to leading this wonderful group of people God has blessed me with. The issue I try to keep in front of me in regards to the vision is the idea that it needs to happen “Instantaneously.” Leading people needs to be looked at not like a microwave but as a crock-pot. Looking for instant gratification can cause leaders to miss the journey. Sometimes the journey is where we learn the most.
This passage of scripture reveals a story of two brothers. It is a great example of the damage that can come from living life with an “instant gratification” mind-set. Esau was the older of the two brothers and was considered the great hunter. Jacob, on the other hand, was more of the home body type. This story reveals an incident were Jacob, who longed for Esau’s birthright, was cooking the meal of the day. Esau had been out all day hunting and came back starving for food. Jacob took advantage of them moment and told Esau he would give him his favorite stew (Red Stew) in exchange for the birthright of the oldest son. Seeking instant gratification, Esau, reacting on hunger, agreed and from that point on he was no longer credited the birthright of the oldest son.
From the story of Esau and Jacob we can learn some valuable lessons when it comes to seeking instant gratification.
1. Instant gratification can lead to “BAD DECISION MAKING.”
I had a wonderful friend tell me once that if he had to make a quick decision his answer was always “no.” He figured it was easier to change a “no” to a “yes” than a yes to a no. In this passage we read how Esau made a quick decision based on wanting to appease his hunger. I wonder if after he ate the Red Stew he had regrets for giving away his birthright. I wonder if he thought he had just made a bad decision.
2. Instant gratification can cause “TUNNEL VISION.”
We see how Esau was living in the “NOW” and not able to see the future. The birthright allowed the first born a double portion of the paternal inheritance. One would think this would be something that Esau would have envisioned for his life. Instead, Esau could not see past the hunger pains. He had tunnel vision!
3. Instant gratification can cause “VICTIMIZATION.”
Jacob may not have been considered a great hunter but he definitely knew his prey (Esau). We read how Jacob took advantage of Esau by preparing his favorite meal. Jacob knew Esau would not resist Red Stew and especially when he was hungry. We can see how Esau became a victim due to his craving for instant gratification.
From these three points we as leaders can learn from Esau’s mistakes.
• Make GOOD DECISION.
• Look at the BIG PICTURE.
• Don’t be a VICTIM.
How do we do this? Don’t desire and expect “INSTANT GRATIFICATION.” In today’s world we may not lose our birthrights, but we could lose a lot more. Bad decision, tunnel vision, and being a victim can cause souls to be lost for the Kingdom.
God Bless
Pastor Rod
