Instant Gratification - Esau

“Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?” But Jacob said, “First you must swear that your birthright is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob.

Genesis 25:32-33

Experts in human psychology have defined deferred gratification or delayed gratification as “the ability to wait patiently for something one wants or needs.” They recognize that success in most areas of life requires such an ability.

Amazing, isn’t it, how modern-day experts so often stumble upon biblical truth?

Whether it’s the desire for sex, money, position, or power, the ever-present lure of instant gratification draws men away from their deeper goals and robs them of God’s best plans for them. Meanwhile, the Bible repeatedly and consistently urges men to wait patiently, work hard, and trust God for the good things he wants to give them.

If only Esau—Mr. Instant Gratification—had heeded God’s instruction!

Esau, Isaac’s elder son, was unable to wait patiently for one of the basic necessities of life. Instead, he opted for instant gratification, and it cost him dearly. This man came into the world with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth. As the firstborn of Isaac and Rebekah’s twin sons, he stood to receive all the privileges and inheritances due to the firstborn male.

In a moment of physical weakness caused by hunger, he sold his birthright privileges for a bowl of stew.

Esau’s younger brother, Jacob, took his place of greatness in the annals of Israel and in the family tree of Jesus Christ. Esau became the founding father of the Edomites—persistent, bitter enemies of Israel that eventually fell under God’s curse (see Malachi 1:3).

How does the lure of instant gratification challenge you? Had you been in Esau’s place, how would you have dealt with Jacob’s proposition? What things in your present world offer instant gratification that can rob you of better things that God has in store for you? List them. Name them out loud and decide how you are going to deal with them when they come knocking at your door.