The Esau Principle

The Project Manager has been observing for some time a trend in American politics; that people who would ordinarily be complacent about government are becoming involved, from rallies to fundraising, even to running for office.  This is great as far as it goes, the citizenry should be informed as to what their representatives are doing; but civic-minded Christians must be careful not to over-emphasize their rights as American citizens.

Why does the PM say this?  Because of something called the Esau principle; where the children of God can trade their birthright, their inheritance in the kingdom of God, for something far less in value.  This principle was named after Esau, who traded his birthright for a bowl of soup.  Today's Christians risk trading their place in God's kingdom for a far less valuable place in a worldly kingdom, without realizing that they are doing so.

The Project Manager wishes to call your attention to the Genesis account of Esau trading away his birthright (Genesis 25:29-34):
(29) And when Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished;
(30) and Esau said to Jacob, "Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished."  Therefore he was called Edom.
(31) But Jacob said, "Sell me your birthright."
(32) And Esau said, "Behold, I am about to die, so of what use then is the birthright to me?"
(33) And Jacob said, "First swear to me"; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.
(34) Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way.  Thus Esau despised his birthright.

This incident happened hundreds of years before Jesus walked the earth, so what relevance does it have for today?  The Project Manager sees a connection between Esau's actions in Genesis 25:29-34 and what Christians in America are doing at this moment.  Long ago, Esau gave up his earthly inheritance, his birthright, for a bowl of soup; American Christians in the here and now are at risk of giving up their heavenly inheritance for something that's worth not much more than that.

There is a common thought among American Christians that their birthright is to have political leadership that shares their morals and beliefs.  They act as if they have a "duty" and a "right" to attempt to change government policies, and the moral direction of the country in general.  This belief is preached from the pulpit in a multitude of churches and has found a willing and receptive audience - even more so in the current political climate.  Like Esau, they see only from their worldly point of view, and are oblivious to the eternal consequences of their actions.


Denying God's Sovereignty

The people who accept that their birthright is to have leadership that meets with their approval, accept the thought that God could never appoint evil people to positions of authority.  This leads to the belief that "evil" leaders are there in spite of God.  This is false because it denies the the Lord's sovereignty over the earth.  God is sovereignly in control of everything on the earth, including politics and politicians; the Lord puts into power those whom He pleases.  "Both riches and honor come from Thee, and Thou dost rule over all, and in Thy hand is power and might; and it lies in Thy hand to make great, and to strengthen everyone" (1Chronicles 29:12).

When we believe that God could not appoint evil people to authority, we disregard that "Whatsoever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps" (Psalm 135:6), and we forget that God knows full well the character of those He chooses for authority, because He knows every detail of our lives before we do (Psalm 139:1-4).  When we keep for ourselves the decision as to the morality of our leaders, we take on responsibility that is not ours.  We ignore the fact that we do not know the mind of the Lord: " 'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways,' declares the Lord.  'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts' "(Isaiah 55:8-9).  We accept the Lord's will, regardless of how we think it will affect us; "Whether it be good, or whether it be bad, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God (Jeremiah 42:6).

Christians who believe it is their "birthright" to control certain aspects of their lives, such as politics, have fallen into the error of self-sovereignty; loving their lives more than they love the Lord.  This has serious consequences, as Jesus explains; "He who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and he who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me" (Matthew 10:37-38).

Jesus takes this point even further; "For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's shall save it.  For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?  For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:35-37).  This is the heart of the matter: is having your choice of leader here in America worth losing your inheritance in the kingdom of God?  Is any person on earth worth trading away your birthright as a child of God?

Trading the Inheritance for Soup

The diligent followers of Christ do not set their sights on earthly things because they are secure in the knowledge that their citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), and know that they are children of God: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12), and "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26).  They know that God " 'will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,' says the Lord Almighty" (2Corinthians 6:18).  As children of God, we share in the inheritance of the kingdom of God.

Just as Esau traded away his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup, American Christians risk trading their inheritance as children of God (citizenship in the kingdom of God) for something equally as worthless as soup; their citizenship in the worldly kingdom called America.  Esau is held up as a warning to those who seek to keep their worldly lifestyle; "See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; ...that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.  For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, thought he sought for it with tears" (Hebrews 12:15-17).

Do you recognize the significance of Hebrews 12:17?  You can lose your blessing, your inheritance; and once you do you will be unable to get it back!  You will be rejected by the Lord, and that means only one thing: your name will be blotted out from the book of life (Revelation 3:5) and you will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).

This is the Esau Principle: you can lose your place in heaven simply by clinging to your lifestyle in America!  Please do not underestimate the importance of this.  The Project Manager cannot over-emphasize the Esau Principle, and asks that you join him in prayer for all those who are trading away their salvation for what amounts to a bowl of soup.