Introduction
In the Scriptures, the concepts of the birthright and the blessing carry deep spiritual significance. They are more than cultural traditions of the ancient world; they reveal eternal truths about identity, inheritance, and destiny. For the believer today, understanding the birthright and the blessing helps us to value what God has freely given us in Christ and challenges us to walk in obedience so that we do not despise or lose what is precious.
The story of Esau and Jacob in Genesis illustrates this powerfully. Esau, the firstborn, was entitled to both the birthright and the father’s blessing, but his choices caused him to lose both. Jacob, though younger, valued these spiritual treasures and ultimately received them. Their lives remind us that how we treat the things of God determines whether we will walk in His favor and purpose.
The Birthright Defined
The birthright in ancient Israel referred to the special privileges and responsibilities given to the firstborn son. These included:
- A double portion of inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17).
- Leadership of the family after the father’s death.
- Spiritual privileges, including being a carrier of God’s covenant promises.
When God spoke to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, He confirmed His covenant through generations. The birthright was not simply material—it was spiritual. It symbolized identity, purpose, and divine calling.
For believers today, our birthright is found in Christ. Through new birth, we become children of God:
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).
This new identity is our birthright. We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17).
Esau’s Tragedy: Despising the Birthright
Esau’s life gives a sobering warning. In Genesis 25:29–34, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew. He treated what was eternal as if it were common. Scripture records:
“Thus Esau despised his birthright” (Genesis 25:34).
The writer of Hebrews reflects on Esau’s mistake:
“Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how 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” (Hebrews 12:16–17).
Esau’s hunger was temporary, but the loss was eternal. Believers must beware of giving up eternal treasures for momentary satisfaction—whether it be sin, worldly pleasures, or compromise. Our choices today determine whether we honor or despise the spiritual privileges God has given us.
The Blessing Defined
The blessing was more than kind words; it was the prophetic declaration of destiny, spoken with divine authority. When Isaac blessed Jacob (Genesis 27), the words carried spiritual weight that shaped his future. The blessing included:
- Fruitfulness and abundance (Genesis 27:28).
- Dominion and influence (Genesis 27:29).
- Covenant continuation through God’s promises.
When Isaac realized he had blessed Jacob, he said:
“Yea, and he shall be blessed” (Genesis 27:33).
This shows the irreversible nature of a true blessing.
For believers today, the greatest blessing is being chosen and redeemed by God through Christ. Paul writes:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).
Our blessing is not dependent on human hands—it is rooted in God’s eternal covenant.
The Relationship Between the Birthright and the Blessing
The birthright and the blessing are connected. The one who holds the birthright is entitled to the blessing. Jacob understood this truth—he first secured the birthright from Esau, then sought the father’s blessing.
The order is significant: Birthright comes before blessing. Identity comes before inheritance. Spiritual sonship precedes divine empowerment. A believer cannot truly walk in the fullness of God’s blessing without first honoring the birthright of being a child of God.
Jesus Himself declared this principle:
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
The blessing flows out of the birthright.
Lessons for Believers Today
1. Value Your Birthright
We live in a world where spiritual treasures are often undervalued. Prayer, holiness, and obedience are treated as optional. But to the believer, these are our spiritual inheritance. Like Jacob, we must long for them more than temporary satisfaction.
Paul reminds us:
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
Do not exchange your eternal inheritance for worldly gain.
2. Guard Against Despising What God Has Given
Despising the birthright is not always as dramatic as Esau’s stew. It can be subtle—neglecting prayer, living carelessly, or compromising for temporary pleasure. Believers must guard their hearts.
Jesus asked:
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).
The world may tempt us to trade what is eternal for what is fleeting, but wisdom chooses eternal life.
3. Pursue the Blessing
The blessing is God’s affirmation, His hand upon our lives, and His empowerment to fulfill destiny. Jacob sought it earnestly, and though his methods were imperfect, his hunger was right. God looks for those who desire His blessing with all their hearts.
Proverbs 10:22 declares:
“The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”
This blessing is not limited to material things—it includes peace, purpose, and eternal joy.
4. Understand That Blessing Requires Alignment
Though God’s blessings are promised, they are often released through obedience. Deuteronomy 28:2 says:
“And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.”
We cannot live in disobedience and expect the fullness of the blessing. Holiness, faith, and surrender keep us aligned with the birthright and blessing God has prepared.
Conclusion
The birthright and the blessing are not just Old Testament traditions; they are living truths for the believer. In Christ, we have been given a new birthright—we are children of God, heirs of His promises, and partakers of His covenant. With that identity comes the blessing of favor, provision, and eternal life.
The story of Esau warns us not to treat lightly what God has entrusted to us, while the example of Jacob reminds us to hunger for the things of God above all else. As believers, may we guard our birthright, pursue God’s blessing, and walk faithfully in His covenant.
Let us echo the words of the Psalmist:
“The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage” (Psalm 16:6).
Indeed, in Christ, we have both the birthright and the blessing.