What have you traded?

There is only one story that has been on my mind today and it is a story in the bible about twins -  Esau and Jacob.

Issac and Rebekah were married and it became apparent that Rebekah was unable to have children. Issac went to the Lord to ask for his wife to become pregnant and after his heartfelt pleas, Rebekah conceived. The pregnancy was difficult and it was Rebekah who then went to the Lord for counsel. A prophecy is given to her about her impending birth  and in Genesis Chapter 25 she is told that "Two nations are in they womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger"

The time came for the birth of her twins. Esau is born hours before his brother Jacob, and is  vividly described as being red and hairy - 'like a hairy garment' of which Jacob is not. Esau is a "cunning hunter" and is much loved by his father. Jacob in contrast is plain (which the footnote clarifies as being perfect, complete, whole, simple), dwells in his tents and is a pretty good cook. Jacob is favoured by his mother.

One day after a particular hard day in the "field" - Esau returns home hungry and thirsty. He asks his brother for some food because he is "faint". Jacob replies by saying to Esau - "Sell me this day thy birthright". Herein lies the first hold-the-bus moment for me. If I was Esau I would have asked "are you crazy?". You see the birthright was not just physical things like the land and possessions of his fathers which automatically goes to the the eldest child, but it also included the acknowledgement as the spiritual leader (and in all other ways) of the people.

Esau, says to his brother - in my words - Bro, I am about to die, what good will my birthright do for me? Jacob again says to his brother - "Swear to me this day" and herein lies the second hold-the-bus moment, Esau "sware unto him: and sold his brithright unto Jacob". Jacob gave Esau bread and a meal of which he drank and ate heartily. When he was finished he got up and left and it says "Esau despised his birthright".

By giving up his birthright, Jacob inherited the blessings of which Esau forfeited. Sure he was hungry and it does use the word famine for hungry - but really - something so insignificant for food? So I thought about this all day and pondered on the 'shortsightedness' of Esau. I ask myself, did he not know what he was giving up? How could he have been so ignorant? I know that he despised his birthright, and as the eldest child of my family - I understand the burden this can be - but was it so bad that he hated it sooo much he would trade it so easily?

My mind has been pondering on this as I liken it to myself and what my "pottage" may have been or could be that has cost me my "birthright" or values or things that really mean a lot to me. Within seconds my mind quickly turns to two of my own Esau moments where I have given up something of eternal significance for something with not so eternal consequences. There may be more...... many more....

The first concerns my role as a mother. For me being a mother has always been my number one priority - yet for years I let my life of other distractions take me away from this role. I traded in my blessing as a Mama, just as Esau did - not for food, but for a work that kept me away from my children and husband, and values once placed in my family being moved to being heavily invested (time, energy, focus) in money, a car, phone, laptop, travel and other 'bells and whistles'.

The second is in regards to my membership in my faith. Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church is part of my spiritual DNA - yet for years, just as Esau did for food - I let me life take me in to places and soaked in my activities that left me little time to connect spiritually. I became isolated from my place of strength and identity, slowly but surely.....

Have you traded something in at the expense of something that is highly valued eternally and spiritually? Is it time to stop and pause and take a stocktake of where you are?

I am blessed that unlike Esau who had lost his birthright forever, there has been a way to reverse these things- but is taking time. I have worked hard in the past few months to connect with both my family and my faith and am some way to getting a refund for these compromises. It has left me happier, poorer in temporal things - but rich in happiness and contentment.

Esau has taught me to stop and pause next time I do something or take on new roles and responsibilities outside of the home. He has taught me that I need to be considerate in what I do next.

Mxo

P.S: After years of trying to kill Jacob - for receiving a blessing intended for Esau from their father (under false pretences) - the brothers are reconciled many years later. Blood is, after all - thicker than water ;-)