What Does a Blessing Mean to You?

Genesis 25:19-34
Reading the Old Testament lesson for this week (Genesis 25:19-34) we end the reading with the first born son of Isaac swapping his birthright for a simple meal, and then the statement: “So, Esau despised his birthright.”
Prior to birth, the twins were jostling in the womb in an attempt to be the first born. Esau was born first and so gained the birthright. The birthright
was no just the inheritance of the majority of the parents’ wealth and status, but the historical blessing given by God to Abraham. As we hear in a later chapter, it is the blessing that is most treasured.

Sometimes we take the blessing that we have been given for granted. Not just our physical blessings, but our spiritual ones also. Christ has always been in the possession of the birthright which has afforded Him the favoured place of blessing in heaven. And yet, what does Christ do?

Jesus exchanges his place of blessing and favour for our place of curse and dejection, something far less valuable or desirable than a bowl of lentil stew. This is a pure gift of grace and love from Christ. There is nothing in us that makes us worthy of this. Nothing.

Pastor Darryl