A Slave to His Appetite

by David Gibson

Esau was so famished the day he sold his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup that he probably had no trouble eating all that Jacob gave him. His eyes were not bigger than his stomach, but his stomach was bigger than his soul.

Esau’s problem

Like so many today, Esau allowed himself to be swept away by his senses. He felt hungry; he could see the red stew; no doubt its aroma whetted his appetite, and how he yearned to taste it!

While there’s nothing wrong with being ravenously hungry, some things cost too much. In forfeiting the tremendous promises God had made to Abraham, Esau ate one of the most expensive meals in history!

Esau “became a skillful hunter” (Genesis 25:27 NASB). He had gained mastery over his reflexes but not over his impulses. At that decisive moment, nothing had higher priority than a bowl of stew.

Unspeakably sad!

Esau’s folly is repeated countless times daily. A young person trades purity for a moment’s pleasure. A businessperson exchanges integrity for a quick buck. A weak Christian discards his convictions to be popular with his peers.

Esau’s unbridled appetite may take a different form—but it still enslaves.

“See to it . . . that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal” (Hebrews 12:15-16).

So we’ve been warned.