What is heaven worth?

Lessons from Genesis – 13

“Love not this world, nor the things in this world, for the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are not from the Father but from the world.” I John 2:15-16 paraphrase

In Genesis chapter 25 we find a brief few verses (29-34) that set the stage for some of the most dramatic teaching that will appear later in the Scriptures. These verses point out a need, an impetuosity and opportunism. We might shorten it to greed, speed and sorrow. Unfortunately the sorrow doesn’t come until much later and by then it is too late. What was the final cost of this rash act? It cost a nation, a heritage, and heaven. It reveals the true cost of setting our minds on our self and not on God.

God had told Abraham that He would pass the eternal blessing onto Abraham’s son, Isaac. But Isaac had two sons. By nature the elder should have obtained the heritage of the full promises of God. But the Bible says that this elder son, Esau, despised his heritage, the promises of God and sold them for so little as a bowl of stew! Throughout the rest of the Scripture we find Esau (the nation Edom) condemned eternally in no uncertain terms. Jacob, the younger son, though a nasty rascal in his own right, ultimately finds forgiveness and he is eternally blessed. The love of a meal and the loss of heaven is a potent picture of the high cost of loving the things of this world above the things of God.

Dear Father, Strengthen me by Your Spirit to walk in pursuit of Your will and not my own desires. Amen. 

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