A Real Deal: A Birthright for Red Stew

What a deal! Talk about the trade of a lifetime! Only the savviest buyers would follow in the example of Esau. OR NOT.  The story of Esau and Jacob is a textbook, case closed example of how humans will choose to give up what is most beautifully precious for a short term benefit.  In the story below we find that Esau gives away his birthright as first born to his younger brother Jacob for some red stew(lentil stew and bread to be precise) so that he could slake his famished condition. Realizing that, as time went by, this meant he would be reduced to tears for his weak act of wretchedness. The Bible states that by Esau selling his birthright in such a way he ended up despising his God given birthright. 
Yet, Esau's story is a warning to us all. For we too are confronted with just such decisions where we can choose the easy choice now only to forgo the greatness that surpasses our grandest imaginations.  We should all take note of Esau's fault and persevere where he once failed!  May the LORD grant us strength!! 

The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was a quite man, staying among the tents. Isaac, who had a taste for game loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.  

Once when Jacon was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, "Quick let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!" (That is also why he was called Edom)  Jacob replied, "First sell me your birthright".  "Look, I am about to die", Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?" But Jacob said, "Swear to me first. " So he swore and oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.  Genesis 25:27-34

Esau bartering away his birthright. Esau was also called Edom because of his plentiful red hair. Edom means red in the ancient lexicon.