Genesis 25:29-34

²⁹ Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. ³⁰ Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stuff, for I am famished!” (Therefore he was called Edom.^[a]) ³¹ Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.” ³² Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” ³³ Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. ³⁴ Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright

This is a pretty dramatic food story that is part of the continuing drama of the struggle between Jacob and Esau. We could focus today on family dynamics. But, let’s focus instead on our impulsive appetites. Most of us will not have the choice today to sell our birthright for something we’re craving (or famished for.) But we will have decisions to make about how our daily food might impact our future. Since my doctor had “the sugar talk” with me last fall, I’ve had to decide if I was more concerned about what I put in my mouth today or on what some food would do for me over the long run. I’m trying to choose the latter.

Prayer

God, we know that you put food into this world as fuel for the human body and a source of enjoyment for us creatures. Help us to make good food choices that lead to an abundant and full life. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.