And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. (Gen 25:34)

Cup O' Noodles man that stuff is good isn't it? That's what Esau thought when he sold his birthright for some soup and crackers!

Picture the scene with me if you will. Esau comes in all hairy, sweaty, and hungry. He smells Jacob's lunch and says, "gimme some of that soup." Jacob, the heel catcher who knows his brother all too well, thinks this is my chance to get the birthright. For those of us that don't use the word birthright every day here's a definition "As first-born he has an inheritance superior to his brethren, and is the alone true priest." Jacob is vying for the double portion of inheritance (wealth) and the priesthood (seat of honor) of the family.

Esau in an aweful fleshly state says, "What good is my birthright if I starve to death." Then procedes as the verse above states to eat the soup giving up all that the birthright entails...all for some Cup O' Noodle soup! Sounds pretty ridiculous doesn't it? Especially since their father was pretty darn rich. What was going on in his hairy head? What was he possibly thinking? I don't know!

What I do know is you and I are no different. We've been given a tremendous birthright as children, friends, and ambassadors of the living God. And just like Esau we give it up for something as cheap and measly as a cup of soup. What are the temptations you are facing day in and day out? Lust, fearfulness, gluttony, uncontrolled anger...I face these. Let's learn from Esau's mistakes.

1. Let's look at the temptation for what it is: completely worthless compared to our inheritance (Soup vs. Isaac's wealth, A moments pleasure vs. Abundant life).
2. In the face of temptation don't overreact. I think we all have that moment where we think what good is my inheritance if I can't [fill in the blank]. Take a moment and think about #1 above (weigh inheritance vs. the temptation).
3. Esau was weary. Earlier in the story the Bible says he came in from the fields and was weary. He was ripe for falling to temptation, let's not be. Do whatever it takes not to be spiritually weary.

Our choices define us. I want to be defined as a friend of God, co-laborer with him for the Kingdom, and a good and faithful servant. I can't be any of those as long as I'm defined as lustful, fearful, glutton, angry. They are in complete antithesis. So remember next time you are tempted it's just Cup O' Noodle soup!