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Weekly Wisdom from the Word by Pastor Dennis Dodson: Does Birthright Mean Anything?
By: Pastor Dennis Dodson
Vice President/ Treasurer
Seeds of Faith, Inc., A Non-Profit Ministry
Colossians 3:16-17
“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…”
Does Birthright Mean Anything?
God had made a promise to Abraham that he would have seeds like the stars in
the sky. He was already old, and his wife was barren, but God provided a son.
Isaac, the son of promise was born. Isaac’s wife, Rebekah was barren, but he
intreated God on her behalf and she conceived. Rebekah would be blessed, not
with one child, but with two.
Here comes the dilemma, which child would carry the promise? God had
already shown through Ishmael and Isaac that He would be the one to choose. In
both of these generations, the elder would serve the younger. God chooses who
will be the one through which this great seed will come.
We get nervous when talking about God's choosing, but know this, Scripture
is clear, God does not predestine some people to hell. People go to hell who deny
the salvation He offers in Christ. Condemnation comes from unbelief. John 3:17-18
KJV For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the
world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but
he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the
name of the only begotten Son of God.
Before either of Rebekah’s children were born, before they had done good or
evil, God chose that Esau would serve Jacob (Romans 9:10-13). Jacob was loved,
and Esau was hated. Why? Esau’s life proved to be less than God-honoring. He
sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. He cared so little for the promise given to
Abraham that he traded it for a meal. Not only that, but Esau married wives of the
Hittites. Abraham had instructed Isaac to marry into the family of faith.
Where does that leave us? Do we value the promises of God? Do we
consider it a great privilege to be in Christ and a part of the family of God? If these
things mean nothing to you, I would guess that you are condemned already, just as
Esau was.