Count the Cost

“When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents. Now Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. When Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished; and Esau said to Jacob, ‘Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished.’ Therefore his name was called Edom. But Jacob said, ‘First sell me your birthright.’ Esau said, ‘Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?’ And Jacob said, ‘First swear to me’; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 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.” Genesis 25:27-34

The turning point came one dark night when, after too many drinks, he slammed his speeding car into a group of teenagers, killing several and injuring others. For a moment of alcohol-induced pleasure, he is now reaping a bitter harvest of tears and regrets.

He is not alone. Countless others, lured by the appeal of the moment, have sacrificed future success and happiness. It may have been the sexual enticement to immorality or the unethical pursuit of an attractive business deal. Now, years later, the price is still being paid.

That is the essence of temptation. The tempter, Satan, deceives us by playing with our instincts, emotions, and attitudes. He disguises the poison that is hidden within the temptation, knowing that we will seldom succumb to an obviously devilish proposition.

Is there anything that you are considering at the moment that you know will bring pain and distress if you yield? Is there a pot of Jacob’s stew that you are willing to taste to satisfy a lustful urge rather than wait on God. Stop now before it is too late. Today’s pleasure may look and taste sweet, but if it is outside of the love and will of God, it will leave you with a bitter aftertaste.

“There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12