Key scripture – “You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” (Psalm 145:16 NIV)

I’ve come to the realization that every choice I make is actually a trade.

Some trades are good. On the days I trade a half hour of sleep for extra time with Jesus in God’s Word … that’s a great trade. The time I keep focusing on my cell phone instead of the person I am talking to, bad trade. Taking care of my body or indulging in a little more dessert? It’s all about what trade I will make.

There’s a guy in the Bible, not much different than you and me, who also made a trade. His name was Esau, and the story of his dealings are found in Genesis 25.

Esau was the twin brother of Jacob. Esau, was an outdoorsy type, while his brother Jacob, liked to hang out in the kitchen.

One day, after being out in the open country, Esau returned home exhausted and famished to find Jacob cooking some stew. He said, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew!” (Genesis 25:30, NIV).

Jacob, being the conniving type, saw an opportunity to play let’s-make-a-deal with his older brother. He made a proposition, “First, sell me your birthright” (Genesis 25:31, NIV).

According to Jewish tradition, fathers gave the birthright to the firstborn son. The eldest would receive the title of the family name (maybe something like the way royalty passes on the family title) and a double portion of his father’s inheritance.

Maybe Esau thought Jacob’s proposition was a lighthearted toss, so he threw back an exaggerated, sarcastic response: “Look, I am about to die. What good is the birthright to me?” (Genesis 25:32, NIV)

That’s all it took. He swore an oath, traded his birthright, and got his bowl of stew. Some trade.

When you first read this account you think: Really? Give away all of your rights for a bowl of stew? What would possess Esau to make such an uneven exchange?

Take a closer look at the word describing Esau’s condition “famished”. Extremely hungry, starving, empty, hollow. I think Esau’s condition had a lot to do with his decision. Past the point of being hungry, he was empty. He was hollow.

If Esau would have grabbed a snack while waiting for the meal to be prepared, he could have hung on until it was ready. The temptation to give up the best of later for the quick fix of now wouldn’t have had such a tantalizing pull.

Esau is a lot like us. When we are “hungry” — whether that hunger is in the form of loneliness, fear, discouragement, or tiredness — We can make some unwise decisions. When our heart is empty, we can make an unequal trade out of desperation. When we are in that condition, we are tempted to:

1. Make quick decisions.
Speed had everything to do with Esau’s choice. He wanted his problem fixed now! It wasn’t hard for Jacob to manipulate a man who wouldn’t wait. This is why The Lord tells us to wait patiently on Him. “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:14). Waiting patiently means putting your trust and hope in The Lord. Putting all your weight on the promises that are in His Word and resting there.

2. Exaggerate my condition.
Esau told his brother he was about to die. I doubt that someone like him, who has been out in the open country all day, is at death’s door.

3. Make unwise decisions.
Esau gave up the best of what he had for a bowl of stew. It was not even close to being a good trade.

What’s the trade that you are facing? Does it have to do with a temptation, whether you will get up early to spend time with God, or if you are going to take care of yourself by exercising and eating better. Maybe you find yourself starting to communicate the wrong message to someone at work, or you are sacrificing financial freedom for “having it all and having it now,” or bypassing time with your family for the project at work. The trades in our lives present themselves in many different ways.

Today’s key verse in Psalm 145:16 tells us, “You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” Jesus will satisfy our hungers and allow us to see the truth of the trade if we turn to Him. When we do that, we can see the exchange for what it is and what it will cost us. So go to God in prayer and go to His Word, and ask Him what He thinks about the trade. Ask Him to give you wisdom and direction and to instruct you through the Holy Spirit. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5).

What trades are you tempted to make today? Let’s all learn from Esau. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is worth the trade if it means giving up God’s very best, and not following His Kingdom Agenda to rule your life and all your decisions. “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12).

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I want You to give me wisdom so that I always know what a trade will cost me. Open my eyes to see the temptations for what they are and empower me by Your Holy Spirit to make the right choices that bring honor and glory to You. I know that when I ask, You will direct me to make wise decisions. “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.” (Proverbs 2:6-8). Give me the wisdom and courage to always make the right decision based on Your Word and not on my feelings or emotions. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.

 Laura Ingle