Boy That Was Stupid?

The Man Minute "Sixty second investments in Christ-Like manhood"

Stupid decisions look even more stupid after you've had a few years to think back on what you did in that one moment.  The story of Jacob and Esau carries with it a ton of dynamics, yet one that so easily sticks out is that Esau would be willing to sell his "birthright" for a meal ... and it wasn't even a big meal at that.
 
Like many of you who read the Man Minute, Esau loved to hunt. The difference was he hunted to survive while we hunt for sport. Esau most likely hadn't eaten in a while, and he was, in his words, "Famished." Jacob, his own brother, was cooking up some stew and tells him he'll share it but Esau must grant him his birthright. Now this was no small thing, for they were sons of Issac, and Issac was the son of Abraham. A birthright meant all of the benefits of the family name, and with a name like Abraham, that would be a birthright you'd want to keep!
 
Esau let his emotions drive his brain. He makes the deal.
It was a short-term gain for a long-term loss.
 
 At its core, this is the very nature of temptation. It's the masking of a truth, where you accept the offer of temporary relief, even though you know there most likely will be long-term ramifications. How many times, looking back on it, have you wished you'd never done it?
 
The next time you're faced with a decision that feels like it needs to be made quickly, step back. Very, very few situations in life actually demand quick decisions. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. You don't have to sell your soul, your birthright, just to gain a few yards. Keep the end in mind, and you'll be able to honor God when you do.
 

www.jasoncruisespeaks.com and www.outdoorministrynetwork.com

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