I have been thinking a lot about temptation and choices lately, and the story of Esau and his birthright goes right along with what I was thinking about a few days ago when I wrote about the ultimate before the immediate.  Esau was so concerned with this hunger that he allowed his short-term, temporary need to overshadow his long-term, not-so-temporary future.  He allowed his physical need and want to take over his judgment and to make a very poor decision.  Can you imagine getting written out of your parents will just for a meal?  I can’t!  And yet that’s, to some degree, exactly what Esau did. 

It was this action by Esau that led the author of Hebrews to scorn him in Hebrews 12:16.  Part of being a follower of Christ means putting our physical needs to death and living with a trust that God will provide for all of our needs – just as He provides clothing for the flowers and food for the birds (see Matthew 6:25-34). 

The next time you are facing a temptation to fulfill a physical need, don’t do as Esau did!  Instead, stop and ask yourself if you are giving in to the immediate while sacrificing the ultimate.