Text:
Genesis 25:29-34; Acts 1:20-22;26
Memory Verse:
“For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take” (Acts 1:20).
Many things and situations in life are deemed temporary because they last or are enjoyed only for a limited time. This is true of every amusement we undertake, pain that we endure, meals that we eat
and even the hunger that causes us to seek food. Food is temporary, since we always have to eat again and again to satisfy our hunger. Esau, Isaac’s first son, was faint from hunger when he returned from work, and there was Jacob with some pottage. In spite of the temporary situation, he gave up a permanent, irretrievable privilege of being firstborn. For temporary pottage, Esau sold his birthright and was adjudged profane for doing so (Hebrews 12:16). Judas Iscariot, like Esau, had a privilege many others did not have, he was chosen as one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He walked with the Master, experiencing firsthand much of what we only read of in the Bible today.
Like Esau, he also lost out for the ‘temporary pottage’ of 30 pieces of silver. Judas stood in the wrong camp when Jesus was being arrested. Jesus, not being distracted by the devil’s offer of food, fame and riches, was able to overcome His temptations (Matthew 4:1-11). The promises and allurements of sin and Satan are usually attractive, but temporary fixes. They appear to satisfy or solve immediate problems for a short while. They never last and, for those like Esau and Judas who fall prey, they very quickly find out they have made a big mistake. Are you toying with temporary pottage? Stop!
Prayer Points:
1. Lord, help me to see beyond the temporary.
2. I reject every temporary fix offered by Satan.