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Beloved believers,
Today we will learn an important lesson from Scripture. It is about the birthright and the blessing. Many people confuse these two. Some think they are the same. They are not the same. The Bible clearly shows the difference. Understanding this truth will help you value what the Most High has given you and protect it.
We begin with a key story from the book of Genesis.
Genesis 25:29–34 says,
“Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, ‘Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted.’ Therefore his name was called Edom. Jacob said, ‘Sell me your birthright now.’ Esau said, ‘I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?’ So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob.”
This passage introduces us to two brothers, Esau and Jacob. Esau was the firstborn. By birth, the birthright belonged to him. Jacob was younger. By law and custom, Jacob had no claim to the birthright. Yet the story shows that Esau lost it.
Let us first understand what the birthright is.
The birthright was the right of the firstborn son. It came with responsibility, authority, and inheritance. The firstborn received a double portion of the father’s inheritance.
Deuteronomy 21:17 says,
“He shall acknowledge the firstborn… by giving him a double portion of all that he has.”
The birthright also carried spiritual leadership. The firstborn became the family priest and leader. He carried the family name and covenant forward. This was not only about material wealth. It was about purpose and destiny.
In Abraham’s family line, the birthright also included the promise given by the Most High. This promise involved the land, the covenant, and future generations.
Now look carefully at Esau’s action. He was hungry. He was tired. He focused on his present need. He did not think about the future. He traded something eternal for something temporary.
Hebrews 12:16–17 warns believers using Esau’s example.
“See that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.”
This verse teaches us a serious lesson. Esau did not lose his birthright by force. He gave it away willingly. No one stole it from him. He despised it.
Genesis 25:34 ends with these words,
“Thus Esau despised his birthright.”
To despise something means to treat it as worthless. Esau did not value what the Most High gave him by birth.
Believers today must learn from this. You also have a spiritual birthright. When you believed and were called into the Kingdom, you received access, authority, and purpose.
1 Peter 2:9 says,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession.”
This is your birthright. It includes identity, authority, and assignment. It is not something you earn. It is something you receive.
Yet many believers trade their birthright for temporary pleasure. Some trade it for money. Some trade it for fame. Some trade it for comfort. Some trade it for approval from people.
Now let us talk about the blessing.
The blessing is different from the birthright. The birthright is a right. The blessing is a spoken release. The birthright is inherited. The blessing is declared.
Genesis 27 tells the story of Isaac blessing Jacob. Isaac was old and blind. He wanted to bless Esau. But Jacob received the blessing instead.
Genesis 27:28–29 records the blessing spoken by Isaac,
“May the Most High give you of the dew of heaven and of the fatness of the earth and plenty of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers.”
This blessing carried power. Spoken words mattered deeply. Once spoken, they could not be taken back.
Genesis 27:33 says,
“Indeed, he shall be blessed.”
This shows us that the blessing has authority. It shapes direction. It opens doors. It releases favor.
Now here is an important truth. Jacob received the blessing, but he had already secured the birthright earlier. Esau wanted the blessing, but he had already sold the birthright.
Genesis 27:36 shows Esau’s cry,
“Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me these two times. He took away my birthright, and now he has taken away my blessing.”
Esau wanted the blessing without valuing the birthright. That is not how the Kingdom works. You cannot walk in blessing while despising responsibility.
Many believers today want the blessing. They want favor. They want increase. They want open doors. But they do not want discipline, obedience, or responsibility.
The birthright demands maturity. The blessing flows through obedience.
Luke 16:10 says,
“One who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much.”
If you are careless with your birthright, you will struggle to sustain the blessing.
Another truth is this. The birthright can be given away. The blessing, once released by the Most High, cannot be reversed easily. That is why Esau wept but did not recover it.
Hebrews 12:17 says,
“For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.”
This does not mean the Most High rejected Esau forever. It means the consequences of his choice remained. Tears could not change what he willingly traded.
This teaches believers to think long-term. Do not live only for today. Do not sacrifice your calling for a moment of satisfaction.
Now let us apply this teaching to our lives.
First, value your spiritual birthright.
You are called. You are chosen. You are set apart. Do not treat it lightly.
Second, guard your choices.
Every decision either protects your birthright or weakens it.
Third, understand that hunger makes people careless.
Esau was hungry. When you are spiritually empty, you become vulnerable. Stay fed through the Word and prayer.
Matthew 4:4 says,
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Most High.”
Fourth, do not envy another person’s blessing.
Focus on faithfulness. The blessing flows where the birthright is honored.
Finally, remember this truth.
The birthright is about who you are.
The blessing is about what you carry.
When you honor your birthright, the blessing will follow at the right time.
I encourage you today. Do not sell what is eternal for what is temporary. Walk with understanding. Live with purpose. Protect what has been entrusted to you.
May the Most High give you wisdom to value your birthright and grace to walk in the blessing prepared for you.
Amen.