Esau, A Bad Example (Heb. 12:16-17)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 07-11-03

 

My Worship Time                  Focus:  Esau, a bad example

 

Bible Reading & Meditation             Reference:  Hebrews 12:16-17

 

            1.  Message of the verse:  “ 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.  17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears.”  (NIV)  “Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau.  He traded his birthright as the oldest son for a single meal.  And afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected.  It was too late for repentance, even though he wept bitter tears.”  (NLT)

            Esau was a man who lived for the present, not looking to the future.  I would like to compare him to Moses, and what the writer of Hebrews had to say about his life.  “24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin; 26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.”  Now when the writer describes Esau it is in almost the opposite terms, for he was not looking to the future, but to the present, and this is something that believers can learn from him even though it is a bad example to follow.

 

            2.  Spiritual meaning for my life today:  This is a tremendous lesson for me to learn from the Lord, for there have been far too many times in my life when I did not consider the future in making a decision, but only considered the present like Esau did.  I need to consider the future in the same way that Moses did, and I am speaking of spiritual matters and not necessarily other types, even though I still need to consider the future when making any decision.  If I had done that when I took out the loan on our house I would not have done it, and that is one of the many lessons that I have learned from the storm that the Lord has put me in.

 

The Word of God was very convicting to me as I read it this morning. 

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  To be more like Moses in the way that I make decisions in my life, always thinking of what the Lord would have me to do and also how it will affect the future.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Psalm 121:1-3

 

1.      I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From whence shall my help come?

2.      My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

3.      He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber.