“And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.”
Genesis 25:34 NKJV
What some versions of the Bible refer to as a mess of pottage, must have been, red lentils soup. It is still a delicacy in the Middle East and is oftentimes taken with bread. A good cook might add a few other vegetables to the medley, like carrots, tomatoes, celery, parsley, potatoes etc. Seasoned with bay leaf, garlic and cumin, and sometimes garnished with croutons, this mess of pottage becomes quite an interesting experience, appealing to the eyes, nose and mouth. Can’t blame Esau for being tempted. But what a price?
A mess of pottage, from the error of Esau has become proverbial for all immediate gratifications, with highly regrettable but distant consequences. They are always immediate, available, very attractive and with exaggerated values. The price as at the time of temptation, always seem distant and less tangible until the arrival of time, when the true value of the despised is revealed.
Why would a man choose a mess of pottage over his birthright? Because his immediate needs are so exaggerated, such that he became short sighted and misplaced his priorities. In verse 32, of the chapter Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?” Missing that meal definitely can not kill Esau, but with his eyes fixed on the available red lentils stew, his needs became exaggerated and his choice desperate.
Desperation will always cheapen the quality of your choice, so mind what you are paying for that pot of red lentils stew, because tomorrow is just round the corner.