Stew? Seriously?

Lately, in my devotions I keep coming across stories of murder, disloyalty, blessings vs. curses, and really rough stuff. I was reading Rob Bell the other day, (shocking I know) and he mentioned the story of the brothers Esau and Jacob. I decided to venture back to the chapter of Genesis and started not with the wonder of creation, but the introductions of betrayal and deceit.

It start off with the names of the brothers. Esau is the eldest. He is said to be red and furry when he is born. Jacob is born grasping the heel of Esau. Jacobs name is a Hebrew idiom for he deceives. Then it goes on to tell us that Isaac (The father and son of Abraham) loves Esau more and Rebekah (The mother) loves Jacob more. Esau likes to spend his time hunting but Jacob preferred to stay at home.

We now have two brothers. They both have very different interests. One might be a deceiver. The parents both love one kid over the other. This doesn't look too good.

Pause.

Reread that. Could be a number of families in the US couldn't it? Sorry about the side note, I just think it's awesome how timeless the Bible can be.

Back to the story...

29Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. 30 He said to Jacob, "Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!"
31 Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright." 32 "Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?" 33 But Jacob said, "Swear to me first." So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.
So Esau despised his birthright.

First time I read this. I re read it to make sure, that Esau sold Jacob his birthright for... stew. Stew? Seriously? I wanted to punch Esau in the face! Who sells their birthright for stew? I mean sure if I'm famished I might be a little desperate, but I'd probably eat some grass over give my bratty brother my birthright! Am I right? No.

This seriously ate at me for so long. Everyday I'd think, stew? Stew... huh? And then one day I thought... What if this story is bigger than stew?

Wow. Good thinking Hill.

Anyway, I started thinking of petty things like stew. I started thinking of things people give up for stupid things like red stew. Didn't take me so long.

People sell their birthright everyday. People give up their place in heaven for stupid world things like stew. We give up eternal life and happiness for mediocrity and selfishness. Our birthright is sold for the cost of greed. Whoa.

This blog is going to end abruptly. I am tired and I want to make you think about what you might be trading for stew. I mean after all...

it

is

just

stew.