The birthright which Esau treated with contempt and sold for a morsel of meat was more than material wealth. That birthright was A SPIRITUAL TRUST—God's leader in the family. It carried with it divine favor, spiritual blessings, and responsibility. Esau's desires were sensual and fleshly, so he threw aside the favor of God to satisfy his present appetite. Shall we be so foolish as even to consider that anything the world has to offer is worth departing from the fellowship of the Lord and His people? Men and women who allow things in this world to cause them to abandon their faith and duty as God's children will, like Esau, weep with bitter tears when it is beyond their power to recover what is lost.

     Life on this earth is filled with trials, disappointments, and difficult times. Along the way there will be steep mountains and dark valleys, as well as tempting pastures of pleasure which appeal to the flesh. We must continue in the way of Christ—faithful to the gospel of grace, faithful to Him who loved us and gave Himself to redeem us, faithful to our children, our church family, and all who look to us for guidance.

     We are seeing far too many of our friends making unwise decisions which may satisfy the flesh and allow them to have their way. But, oh, the price paid by their families, friends, children, church, and ultimately BY THEMSELVES will result in a repetition of Esau's experience. "For you know that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears" (Heb. 12:17).