| The Christian Life | February 1942 |
The Christian’s Birthright
“The boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field and he was faint. And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint. … And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die; and what profit shall this birthright do to me? … and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.”—Genesis 25:27-34
OUR dear Redeemer frequently illustrated spiritual truths by natural things. We find, also, that the Heavenly Father has made use of natural things for the purpose of bringing out spiritual truths—indeed, He has made use of types and pictures more or less from the foundation of the world. So, in considering our subject, the Christian’s birthright, we will avail ourselves of one of these types or illustrations employed by the Lord; namely, the account of Jacob selling his birthright to Esau.
It was the custom in olden times that the first-born of the family should inherit all that his father possessed. For instance, we read in Genesis 25:5 that before Abraham died, he willed all his possessions to his son Isaac. There was a purpose in this custom, and that purpose was to preserve the family estate until the family had grown into a tribe. To us of modern times, however, this custom seems rather harsh and unjust. But, of course, it was expected of the first-born that he would exercise a general watch-care over the other members of the family, and that he would be a general manager of the estate, working for the best interests of all concerned.
God evidently overruled all the circumstances which shaped the customs of the Jewish people and of the patriarchs. The story of Esau selling his birthright is both pathetic and full of solemn interest to us. People who look at things from the worldly viewpoint would naturally blame Jacob—they would think of him as a great schemer, as taking an unfair advantage of his brother Esau, of driving a hard bargain with him. But it is interesting to note that God did not censure Jacob, and for that reason we will not do so, either.
As we examine the record given us in Genesis, we find that there was not complete harmony in Isaac’s family, especially concerning these two boys. Isaac loved his son Esau more than Jacob, but Rebekah, the mother, loved Jacob more. Jacob was a home boy and while Esau would be out in the woods hunting, Jacob would be at home doing the chores—a sort of general handyman, perhaps—and for this reason it was natural that his mother appreciated him the more.
It seems reasonable, too, that the mother and Jacob often talked together about the promises made by Jehovah to his grandfather, Abraham, in connection with the blessing of all the families of the earth. Subsequent circumstances in the life of Jacob indicate that it was these promises which belonged to the first-born in the family, namely, Esau, that were of greatest concern to him.
In the 1910 Watch Tower, page 376, it is stated that a traveler and lecturer acquainted with the habits and customs of the Arabs tells us it used to be the custom for the first-born of the family to commemorate a celebrated ancestor’s birthday by fasting while the rest of the family feasted; and by thus fasting he would show his appreciation of the fact that he was the first-born and the family heir. It is supposed that it was on such a day, when Esau was expected to fast for this purpose, that this selling of the birthright took place. With this in mind, let us look into the home where Jacob and Esau lived, with the thought of ascertaining, if possible, what the conditions there may have been on that day.
Let us assume that it was Isaac’s birthday anniversary; and that in honor of the occasion, Jacob had prepared some savory lentil soup. Esau, coming in from one of his hunting expeditions would be very hungry, and the smell of this delicious soup would be very tempting to him, and he would ask Jacob for some of it. Probably Jacob, under ordinary circumstances, would be glad to have shared the meal with Esau. But remembering that it was Isaac’s birthday anniversary and that Esau was supposed to fast on that day, Jacob would hesitate and probably remind Esau that in partaking of food, he would show his lack of appreciation for the birthright.
Esau, however, may have expressed lack of interest in the promises made to his grandfather, Abraham, and that the possession of this particular part of the birthright did not have any particular meaning to him. Whatever his process of reasoning may have been, he seemed willing to forego whatever advantages would properly accrue to him through the birthright, selling it to Jacob for a good bowl of this lentil soup (or stew). We can hardly blame Jacob for taking advantage of this opportunity, seeing that Esau appreciated the birthright so little as to be willing to sell out for such a small consideration.
The Bible, of course, does not give us the details of all that happened in the family in connection with the transfer of this birthright. Apparently, however, Esau did not make his father, Isaac, acquainted with the fact that by mutual agreement, the blessings going with the birthright now properly belonged to Jacob. Jacob, on the other hand, having acquired the birthright, felt perfectly justified in practicing a deception upon his father in connection with receiving the parental blessing that went with the birthright.
That Esau was not honorable in connection with that which he sold is evidenced by the fact that when he learned Jacob had received the blessing from Isaac, he became wrathful and threatened to kill his brother. Jacob on the other hand, cared nothing for the cattle, sheep, and other property, that legally went with this birthright and was willing to flee from home and let Esau continue to possess and manage the material estate. Jacob was interested only in the promises concerning the future blessing of the world, through the seed of his grandfather, Abraham. He did not forfeit this by leaving home, but gave up only the material part of the estate to Esau.
THE CHURCH OF THE FIRST-BORN
During this gospel age, God has been selecting and preparing a first-born company to be associated with Jesus in the fulfillment of the promise made to Abraham concerning the blessing of all the families of the earth. Those to whom the call has come, and who participate in these first-born privileges, must qualify for the position. Many are called, we are told, but few are chosen—the chosen few, being those evidently, who show their full appreciation of the birthright privileges that belong to them.
The conditions applying to these promises are very exacting and therefore appeal only to the few. First, there must be a turning from sin—this is a preparatory step. Then, there is the exercise of faith in the precious blood of the Redeemer; and finally, a full consecration of our all to do the Father’s will. Even after this, those who finally qualify for a position in the first-born class must continue to seek the things which are above. They must cultivate the graces of Christian character which the Lord approves. They must sacrifice the things of self to the interests of the Lord and His cause. The keynote of the illustration in the Jacob and Esau incident would indicate that the first-born class needs to cultivate reverence for the holy, heavenly things. Esau failed because of irreverence—the Bible says he was a profane person—he did not appreciate the better things.
Reverting to the Esau illustration, it is interesting to note that while the selling of his birthright seemingly was done without thinking, and on the spur of the moment, yet actually it was just a natural act at a critical moment which resulted from an attitude of mind which was habitually and chronically irreverent and unappreciative of the promises of God. Esau wasn’t the kind to give up something which he considered of value for that which was of little value. He apparently considered the birthright irreverently and viewed it as something with which he could barter, hoping, perhaps, in the end that he would obtain it and the mess of pottage also. In Hebrews 12:16,17, we read about “Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright” and “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.”
How then, can we benefit from the experience of Esau? By the cultivation of reverence for and appreciation of the things of God. A development of appreciation for the heavenly things leads to reverence. An illustration or two will help to make this point clear. Many artists, for example, live solely for their art. They put their whole souls into it. The more they study a picture the more they see in it. They see a lovely shade in this or that part of the picture which the average layman overlooks because he lacks the necessary appreciation and application in this particular field. A florist, when looking at a beautiful bed of flowers, notes the blending of the delicately colored blooms. His whole thought is upon those flowers, and he has eyes for nothing else.
It is a noteworthy fact that very few who have ever thoroughly mastered any profession or art or trade, afterwards change to another. When the human mind is thoroughly trained in one direction, it has a tendency to become fixed and therefore to prefer thinking along that particular line. Desires grow by cultivation. The mind that is accustomed to one language, finds it difficult to learn other languages. It prefers to speak and to hear the mother tongue.
The thought we are emphasizing is that when our desire is centered mainly in one thing, when we crave a certain environment, when we express preference for a certain occupation, then, as a rule the mind is won over; and when once we make up our minds or determine upon a certain course then naturally we will exert all our energy toward its attainment or accomplishment. By continually thinking, speaking, and acting along certain lines, we more and more acquire a definite tendency in that direction.
So it is that by meditating daily, continually, upon God’s character, His glorious attributes, His precious truths outlining His matchless plan for the blessing of His children, we gradually come more and more to appreciate and love Him. Yes, to really know God, is to love Him. Our dear Redeemer prayed that we might know Him, the true God, the God of Justice, Wisdom, Love and Power, the God whose character is so glorious and whose plan is so all-inclusive and comprehensive as to be worthy of all adoration and praise.
Just think of what we once were—sinners even as others. Jehovah went out of His way to pick us up out of the miry clay of sin. He made it possible for us to come in contact with the truth. He justified us. He forgave us freely. To crown it all, He invites us to come up higher, to sit with Him and His dear Son on the throne of the universe. If we fully value all this, it would be impossible for us to do other than to love Him. Love begets love, and we love God because He first loved us. If we are faithful, and attain His character-likeness, we can be fully assured of being like Him in glory—a divine spirit being. In view of all this, should we not be thinking more and more upon the things pertaining to that new life?
The child of God should be endeavoring to touch lightly the things of this earth, esteeming them only of trifling worth; not worthy, in fact, to be compared with the glorious things which God has in reservation for those who love Him supremely. To the extent that the eyes of the Christian are fixed upon God and upon Jesus he has, indeed, lost sight of all beside. If this be true, then he has a proper focus on life and its interests—he has the telescope of faith properly adjusted. It is the work of faith to make the things of the invisible world, the spiritual world, as real in the mind of the new creature as are the visible things of earth to the mind of the old creature.
There seems little doubt but that the Christian’s habit of thought will be largely responsible for determining whether or not he is finally among those who are chosen for a place in the first-born company. Will we finally attain to that heavenly reward and joint-heirship with Christ in the Kingdom which is the birthright of all the faithful? We will if we are thinking continually upon the heavenly things and acting accordingly. As a man thinketh in his heart, even so is he—i.e., so will he become eventually. Let us see to it, then, that we cultivate this habit of proper thinking. May our minds be dwelling not so much on the importance of material possessions, but on the importance of building that spiritual character which will be given a spiritual body in the resurrection.
Will we have our portion on the divine plane? Shall we be members of the church of the first-born? Shall we hear those sweet words, “Well done”? Shall we see our Elder Brother’s smile of approval as He welcomes us to that glorious assembly of the church of the first-born? After all has been said along this line, it remains for each one of us to see to it that we leave no stone unturned, nor permit anything to obscure our heavenly vision, or to interfere with our chief interest and pursuit—the making of our calling and election sure. Surely the attainment of such glory in the Kingdom is worthy of every effort and every sacrifice at the present time. In view of such a hope, well may we say, with the poet, “Perish every fond ambition, All I’ve sought, or hoped, or known, Yet, how rich is my condition! God and Christ are still my own.”
CHARACTER PREPARATION NECESSARY
But first we must develop the character suitable for such an exalted station. The Lord will make no mistake—only those found worthy will attain to membership in that first-born class. So, if we have been begotten by this living hope and are now, by faith, risen with Christ, let us more and more seek those things which are above. Our work in the Kingdom will be to bless others—to bless all the families of the earth, to give them the Kingdom blessings in place of present sorrows. Jesus said of that Kingdom-day that “then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father.” (Matt. 13:43) In the opening paragraph of the Divine Plan of the Ages, we read that “the glorious day of righteousness and divine favor, to be ushered in by Messiah, who, as the Sun of Righteousness, shall arise and shine fully and clearly into and upon all, bringing healing and blessing, will more than counterbalance the dreadful night of weeping, sighing, pain, sickness, and death, in which the groaning creation has been so long. ‘Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.’”—Psalms 30:5
What wonderful words these are, and they depict not only the blessings coming to the world, but remind us of the glorious privilege that will be ours, if faithful, to be a part of that Sun of Righteousness. Yes, we are invited to share in that great restitution work. Would we not all like to start doing it right now? How can we with such a hope, such marvelous prospects for the whole family of God, both in heaven and earth, not wish the hour were come? But our minds must be trained for our glorious future work, and unless they are properly trained to love the heavenly things, we cannot adequately appreciate the privilege that is held out to us of participating in them, for the work of blessing the world.
Let us for a moment consider our Elder Brother, Jesus. With what did He continually fill His mind? The records show that from the moment He was able to grasp what His mother told Him about being a Son of God, He was endeavoring to find out what His future work would be. At twelve years of age He was in the temple asking questions, and, no doubt, for the next eighteen years He was doing all in His power to get information concerning His mission. The very minute He was of age according to the law, He was down at the river Jordan to be immersed by John in symbol of His full devotion and consecration to His Father’s will.
And what happened? The heavens were opened to the Master. What does that mean? It doesn’t mean that some literal gates of Heaven swung open. It means rather, that there Jesus received a clear understanding of His mission on earth. It seems reasonable to conclude that with this spiritual enlightenment came also the realization of His former life as a spirit being with His Father in heaven—His perfect brain cells reacting to those divine, heavenly impulses. Thus He could remember all that had happened during His association with the Heavenly Father before coming to earth. If so, He remembered the wonderful work of creation—the angels, the cherubim, seraphim, etc. He remembered the formation of the earth, the animals, the fishes, the fowls, and finally the crowning creation of earth, man. He remembered the fall, and then, also, the prophecies pointing out a recovery from the fall. And there were the tabernacle arrangements, the types and pictures of the Law. Yes, we can be sure Jesus saw in that vision, when the heavens were opened, the entire plan of God, and His part in that plan. This enabled Him to carry on His ministry during the three and a half years without making a single mistake. He did not take a single false step. He saw His own part in the great drama—that He was to be the Executor of God’s plan, first by suffering humiliation, and then to have the privilege of leading the human family back into harmony with God and the principles of righteousness.
Jesus was so interested in the stupendous task ahead of Him that He went into the wilderness to study and pray in solitude. After forty days and nights of what was, no doubt, a period of deep meditation and concern. He came forth fully prepared to make the supreme sacrifice necessary to justify the whole human family. “By the grace of God, He tasted death for every man,” giving Himself a “ransom for all.”—Heb. 2:9; I Tim. 2:5,6
Jesus had said of His consecration, “Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of Me, I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart.” (Psa. 40:7,8; Heb. 10:7) It was not in His head merely, but deep down—in His heart, also. His faith was perfectly balanced; He had perfect coordination of heart and mind, and therefore, He was able to exercise a faith that did not shrink, even though pressed by every foe. Jesus did not sell His birthright; but, faithfully, He kept in the narrow way. Yes, He kept inviolate the right to eventually bless all His younger brethren, the New Creation, the angels, and man.
And, beloved, it is His birthright that we are invited to share. We are invited to be members of the first-born company. How carefully we should walk, that we may always do the things pleasing in our Father’s sight. We may easily barter away our birthright—easily exchange it for transitory earthly things. “But what are all earth’s transient toys compared to heaven’s eternal, joys, or even to the feast now spread, for pilgrims through the desert led.”
Can we have the same inspiration and incentive to do the Father’s will as Jesus had? Yes, we can have this through possession of His spirit and through a knowledge of our Father’s plan, as outlined in His Word. But we must also act in harmony with that knowledge, cooperating in the outworking of that plan. God has given us the Bible in order that we may have this knowledge. Most of the Bible was written just for us. The Israelites spent hundreds of years making pictures for our instruction—they were forty years on location in the wilderness. All their experiences were illustrations for our assistance, to help us become worthy members of the first-born class. Of course, they didn’t know that at the time, but the Apostle Paul tells us that this is so.
KNOWLEDGE IMPORTANT
Let us not minimize the importance of knowledge. In Romans 11:33 the apostle says, “Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” Knowledge is one of God’s characteristics and is very important to us. Solomon urges us to get knowledge; and it was because of His knowledge that Jesus was able to carry out God’s purpose to justify mankind. Knowledge is one of the character elements to be cultivated by the Christian. It is impossible even to have faith without knowledge—faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by or through a knowledge or understanding of the Word of God. And when we grasp the plan, how beautifully every Bible text and doctrine fits into its appointed place. “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!”
St. Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, urges him to “study” to show himself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.”—II Tim. 2:15
And how well this suggests to us the careful examination, the systematic study of God’s Word, so that we may have a clear, full knowledge of God’s will concerning us. What a wonderful privilege the members of the first-born class have in living at a time when so much truth is due—to be living as it were, on the very threshold of a new day. And how carefully we should guard the truth in our own heads and hearts, treasuring it up and not being willing to sell it for a mess of earthly pottage.
KNOWLEDGE MEANS WORK
To enjoy this precious knowledge of the truth at the present time means work. First, we have to work to obtain the knowledge, and then when we obtain the knowledge, we have to give diligence in order to make our calling and election sure and in accordance with it. This knowledge should not only be a rich blessing to us, but to make the full, proper use of it, we must help to make it known to others. Nothing will so fully impress this knowledge upon our own intellects and hearts as will the conveying of it to others. We sing, “I love to tell the story.” Are we telling it? or just singing it at meetings? We sing, “Send out Thy light and Truth, O Lord.” Are we doing anything to send it out? or doesn’t that apply to us? Surely it does, and what rich blessings are enjoyed by those who faithfully bear witness to the Kingdom message!
Let us not selfishly hoard the truth. If we do we shall lose it. If we properly use it, our store of it will be increased. The more we scatter the truth, the greater the increase will be in our own hearts and lives, and the greater, therefore, will be our heavenly riches. The truth is an old, old story, but to those who know it best, it remains fresh and stimulating; so much so, that we cannot help but continually sacrifice the flesh and its interests, in order that it may reach other hearing ears to be blessed thereby. (I Pet. 2:9) Thus doing, we manifest our appreciation of the blessed privileges that are ours as prospective joint-heirs of the inheritance of the first-born class.
Yes, we are invited to be of the first-born class, the Jacob class. If the birthright is ours, we must have renounced the things of the world. Instead of the things of the world, we now have the promises of God, and a proper application and use of these promises will enable us, in due time, to become members of the first-born class in glory—partakers of the divine nature. If faithful, we shall inherit our Father’s estate as did the first-born in the type. We shall inherit the earth, also, as we will be of the “meek” class, to whom the promise obtains. But our lives and interests then being spiritual and heavenly, and, therefore, ourselves having no longer need for the earth as an abode, it will be our privilege to bestow it upon those for whom God purposed and planned it—the world of mankind, theirs to enjoy forever. Then it will readily yield its increase and become glorious and beautiful like the garden of the Lord in Eden—only then, world-wide. Then the promise made by Jehovah to Grandfather Abraham and all those wonderful promises made through His servants, the prophets of old, will be fulfilled, and all the families of earth will be blessed. What a birthright is ours!