We continue to learn about our inheritance as God's children. Righteous living secures our godly inheritance so that the devil does not easily steal what was received. Also, God's word will keep us from being deceived into losing any part of it as was the case in the Gibeonite Deception. In addition, we must rely on the Holy Spirit to help us so we don't squander our inheritance the way the Prodigal Son did.
Today we examine another individual and their approach to dealing with an inheritance. Specifically, we consider Esau, the oldest son of Isaac. According to his family's custom, Esau was to receive half of his father's estate as his birthright and the blessing that is given to the first son. However, one day, he returned home famished from hunting. His younger brother, Jacob, was cooking a lentil stew and he asked for some only for Jacob to demand a barter. He wanted Esau's inheritance in exchange for some food.
“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” (Genesis 25:32). And so Esau gave his inheritance away by swearing an oath that Jacob could have it.
Later, when their father became old and was about to die, Jacob pretended to be Esau and collected the blessing due to the first son. When Esau learned of this, he pleaded with his father for a blessing. Alas, Isaac told him he couldn't change the outcome. The blessing had gone to Jacob and there was little to be done about it at that point.
The Bible doesn't have great things to say about Esau. Indeed, he is described in Hebrews 12:16 - See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Notice why Esau was called "godless"? Because he forfeited his birthright. He didn't deem it significant. This unfortunate reality contributed to God saying that He hated Esau (Romans 9:13). All because he disregarded his inheritance for a plate of food.
Doesn't this seem extreme? Why would God hate Esau all because he chose to give away his birthright for a meal? Well, if we remember some of God's instructions, then His position on Esau's behavior makes more sense and serves as a cautionary guide.
First, let's remember that an inheritance is a gift from one person to another. The giver chooses to leave an heir what they toiled for during their lifetime. It typically reflects a person's sweat, time, and hard work. The inheritance blesses someone who typically did nothing to deserve it, thus reflecting the giver's love for the recipient. To therefore reject such a gift or treat it callously is to repay evil with good which violates God's word in Proverbs 17:13, which states, [e]vil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good. In Esau's case, it also violates God's instruction to honor his father per Exodus 20:12 because he effectively didn't value the sacrifices that went into creating an inheritance for him.
And how does any of this apply to you? Consider that your inheritance from the Lord consists primarily of spiritual gifts. One such benefit is eternal life in heaven because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross. Rejecting that sacrifice would be repaying good with evil. It would also mean dishonoring the Lord, your Heavenly Father, who gave up His Son to save you.
Sadly, we can reject or disregard our godly inheritance and the blessings it contains through our actions, thoughts, and words. And that can put us at risk of repeating Esau's mistake. Keep in mind that his choice to reject his birthright had long-lasting consequences. After discovering what Jacob did, he hated his brother and this translated into a grudge spanning centuries. His descendants, known as the Edomites, maintained an "ancient hostility" toward Jacob's descendants - the Israelites. They were happy when Israel suffered and even conspired with their enemies. God's word regarding them was that they would be destroyed and their land would become "a wasteland ... left ... to the desert jackals" (Malachi 1:3). What a statement on unforgiveness.
An inheritance acts as a foundation upon which the next generation can build and this is why the Bible teaches that a good person leaves an inheritance for their children's children (Proverbs 13:22). Though not a man, God does the same - granting blessings and gifts to His children because He loves them. He gives them a godly inheritance that doesn't require death to be received. This is the act of a loving Father that should be cherished and not bartered away for something that won't have a lasting effect. The Lord wants His children to use their godly inheritance to better their lives as well as the lives of others. May the Lord help each of us to see His gifts and blessings as the loving-kindness a Father has for His own. May we value what He has given, honor Him for it, and use it to His glory, IJMN Amen. By His grace, none of us will go through what happened to Esau and his descendants.
Kindly join us right here at Noon EST today to fellowship. We shall start with 25 minutes of praise followed by 25 minutes of interceding for others by God's grace. See you then!
To read the Godly Inheritance Series, please see:
From M22 - We surrender our all to you Abba Father. We pray that your will be done over our lives in the month of July. May we have every reason to rejoice this month IjMN Amen
LAST 10 MINUTES
Have you ever been an Esau and taken for granted what God has for you? Surely, we all did before giving our lives to Christ but do you think you've ever disregarded the sacrifice on the cross and the godly inheritance it entails since becoming born again?
Whether you fit into one or both categories, now is the time to appeal to God's compassion and receive forgiveness. Open your mouth and repent for having a wrong attitude toward your godly inheritance. Ask God to forgive and show you how to value what He gave you for free so you glorify Him with your whole life.
Then give Him thanks for not only blessing you with the chance to do things right but also for your fellow Peppers who get to do the same.
From M22 - Father Lord I thank you for sis @FFJ. I bless you for taking care of her, her loved ones and everything that concerns her. Thank you Father for increasing her in supernatural wisdom, favour and knowledge. I pray Father that her and her loved ones will have every reason to rejoice in this month of July IjMN Amen
From PBS - ‘Father, in the name of Jesus, we come before you now on your word in prayer, Ephesians 6:10-20, to take up the armor of God—
We declare that we are strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. We put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore we take up the whole armor of God, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
We stand therefore, having girded our waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod our feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which we will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for us, that utterance may be given to us, that we may open our mouths boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which we are ambassadors in chains; that in it we may speak boldly, as we ought to speak.
Through every test and trial, we remain rooted and established in You, fully armed and prepared, for we are guaranteed the victory, and our trust, faith, and hope rests on You.
Thank you Lord, in Jesus name, amen!’
From M22 - Father Lord I commit my endeavor for this season unto you. I have done my best and I submit it at your feet. I pray that your will be done concerning it. I pray that I will rejoice in due timing IJMN Amen
From M22 - Father Lord I pray that this month of July shall bring forth our breakthroughs, victories, testimonies. I pray that chains are broken, strongholds are destroyed. We thank you Father for supernatural mercy, grace, favour, provision, protection, deliverance and restoration IJMN Amen
From M22 - Father Lord I pray for my siblings. I pray that you will continue to work through them and on their behalf. I pray that your mercy will speak for them. I pray that you will continue to strengthen them in character and faith. I pray that you will help them fix their eyes on you. And tht worries of this world. Father I pray that you will help them to seek your kingdom in everything they say, think and do. I pray that this month of July shall be a month if breakthrough, broken chains and testimonies in their lives IJMN Amen
From JIR - I pray for those who are into religions, practices, doctrines or gods that are not consistent with the Word of God. I pray that they humble themselves and You open their hearts up to You Lord. I pray that they realize without You, Jesus, they do not have the Heavenly Father. I pray that they turn to You Lord, fall on their knees and ask for Your forgiveness. I pray that they call on You, they seek You and they give their lives to You, Lord. IJMN.
From JIR - God, please bless those who are sick in the hospital right now recovering from their ailments. Please bless them with the strength, love, comfort and hope to keep on holding on. Please bless those who are able to reach out to You and seek You while they are in the state they are in to call Your name and keep praying, steadfast. Please bless the sick in the hospital to be healed with Your healing powers if it is in Your will, Lord. IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Father Lord I pray for children across the world. I pray that you will continue to shield and protect them from harm, violence and abuse. I pray that you will touch the hearts and minds of parents, caregivers and guardians to nourish and nurture them in your ways. Father I pray that you will help them to fulfil their destinies and your purpose for their lives IJMN Amen
From PBS - ‘Heavenly Father in the Name of Jesus, I lift up before You every animal and plant, every atmosphere, land, and waters, that are being threatened, killed, polluted, and endangered. Please extend your grace and mercy to all of Your creations. We rebuke the works of man and satan and loose Your Authority, Power, and Word into every climate, every situation and circumstance, from here to the farthest corners of the earth and throughout the heavens. Thank You Lord for extending Your justice, protection, love and peace to all. Thank You for providing and supplying for all of their needs. Thank You Lord for hearing their cries and sending the help they need. Thank you Lord, in Jesus Christ name I pray, Amen!’
From M22 - Father Lord as we go in and out every day, I pray that your angels follow us everywhere we go and guide us. I pray that we shall not encounter evil as we go about our endeavors. IJMN Amen
From M22 - Father Lord I pray for the sick and recovering. I pray that you will heal every part of their bodies. I pray that your healing power will permeate every organ, tissue, system and vessels. I pray that you work through the hands of doctors and nurses to make sure their health is restored perfectly. I pray for every surgeon conducting surgeries, that you coordinate their hearts, eyes and hands to operate successfully IJMN Amen
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for singles. I pray you help us wait on you for our Kingdom spouses. I pray as we wait we focus our hearts and minds on serving you and pleasing you. We pray that you remove every counterfeit that might want to come our way and delay or deceive us. We pray that you connect us to our own at your divine timing IJMN Amen
From PBS - Thank You Father for your Holy inheritance in our lives—on earth as it is in Heaven—we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus who strengthens us—-HALLELUJAH!!!
‘Father, in the Name of your Son Jesus, we confess your Word over our finances this day. As we do this, we say it with our mouths and believe it in our hearts and know that your Word will not return to you void, but will accomplish what it says it will do. Therefore we believe, in the Name of Jesus, that every need is met according to Philippians 4:19.
We believe that because we have given tithes and offerings to further your cause, Father, gifts will be given to us, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will they pour into our bosoms. For with the measure we deal out, it will be measured back to us. Father, you have delivered us out of the authority of darkness into the Kingdom of your dear Son.
Father, we have taken our place as your children. We thank you that you have assumed your place as our Father and have made your home with us. You are taking care of us and even now you are enabling us to walk in love and in wisdom, and to walk in the fullness of fellowship with your Son Jesus.
Satan, we bind you from our finances, according to Matthew 18:18, and loose you from your assignments against us, in the Name of Jesus.
Father, we thank you for our angels who are free to minister for us and bring in the necessary finances. Father, we confess you are a very present help in trouble, and you are more than enough. We confess, God, that you are able to make all grace - every favor and earthly blessing - come to us in abundance, so that we are always, and in all circumstances, furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation.
In Jesus Name, Amen!’
From M22 - Father Lord I pray for people that are missing and in captivity. Father Lord I pray that they are found safe and reunited with their loved ones. I pray that you will destroy and dismantle every den of captivity holding your children hostage. I pray that you expose every scheme of man holding people hostage across the world IJMN Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for everyone struggling with their faith. I pray that you will continue to strengthen their faith beyond their expectations. Your word says we can only please you through faith. I pray that we will please you as we grow in faith every single day IJMN Amen
Father, I worship You, for You are the only God and You alone deserve my praises!
Good Lord, in my worship, I come to You on behalf of those who have not experienced You yet. Those who have not tasted to see how sweet You are. Lord, please pour out Your compassion on them. Surround them with Your love and kindness. Give them no room to escape from Your warm embrace.
God, let them come to know what love truly is. May they rise anew in Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit open their mouths to speak Your word and deprive the enemy of another tool it once used for destruction, IJMN, Amen
From M22 - Abba Father for we thank you for this wonderful community. I thank you Father for ushering us into this new month. We bless you for ordering our steps from January through June. We give you all the glory. Father we surrender ourselves, our families, loved ones and plans for the month of July at your feet. We pray that your will be done. We pray to fix our eyes on you knowing that all other things will be added. I pray that we will rely on the Holy Spirit more than ever to navigate the remaining half of this year IJMN Amen
PRAYER TIME
It's time to war with prayers for others.
Please remember we aren't praying for ourselves. This is part of the sacrifice we make each week.
God, I want to thank You for sending Christ to die on behalf of sinners. You didn't send Him to cater to the righteous but to help the sinner, the one who thinks they are too blemishes to be cleaned or too sick to be healed.
Thank You for being the God who said nothing is too difficult for You. Thank You for being more than able to rescue the captives and set them free.
Thank You for entering the house of the strongman and dividing the spoils.
The God who is mighty. Powerful God. The Strong Tower.
Hallelujah!
Beautiful Savior.
The God who is love.
The God who gives love.
The God who showers with blessings.
The God who has made a godly inheritance available to anyone who wants it.
The God of Jesus who said those who believe will do even greater works than He did.
The God who empowers humans to wield His authority on the earth.
I bow before You my King. Hallowed be Your Name.
I thank You for Your word and the great works of Your mighty hand.
From M22 - It's P&P o'clock ( sis @FFJ just thought I'd add another one to our vocab). Father Lord I pray as we open up P&P at this hour, I pray that the heavens open over everyone of us. Father Lord please forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from the crown of our head to the sole of our feet. Help us to fix our eyes on you and seek your kingdom every single moment of our lives IJMN Amen
Father, thank You for being faithful. Thank You for being my everything. The One I can always call on.
Others may trust in horses and chariots but I trust in You Lord. You will take care of everything concerning me.
From DDS - She back. Amen! Thank you for always posting this @FFJ
From JIR - Thank You Lord for Your grace and mercy. Without them we would be nothing. You are so magnificent in every way. You not only have limitless power which keeps me in awe but You have limitless love and care for us so much so, that You sacrificed Your only begotten Son for our sins to be forgiven. The God of limitless power could have done away with us all but is so full of goodness and love, he saved us through Jesus Christ. We can’t comprehend it but for this we owe You our lives and even that is not enough. We are forever indebted to You and I pray that we all endure to the end and serve You as long as we live. All glory be to You, Lord. IJMN! Amen.
Lord, I want to thank You for Your patience and compassion. Thank You that my failures will never cause You to fail.
I bless Your Holy Name!
PRAISE TIME
It's time to warship, folks!
The sacrifice of praise pleases the Lord.
Currently listening to Ryan Ofei's debut EP and just had to share this track:
How could I forget all that You've done
You've been faithful
I can feel the fullness of Your love
It leaves me grateful
Your loving runs over
Morning by morning
Mercy runs over
Morning by morning
Grace it runs over
Morning by morning
It's new every morning...
From M22 - Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT
"But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. [8] They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.
From M22 - Happy new month Pepper Fam!! We bless God for seeing us through the first Half of this year! We bless him for teaching, renewing and transforming us all through. We thank him for helping us stand firm even when we stumble. God is too good in every situation. I know come December 31st, we will have every reason to exalt him more. Our Faithful Father! IJMN Amen
From JIR - Thank You God for blessing us with another beautiful day. We thank You for waking us up this morning and blessing us to reconvene for fellowship today. You make all things possible. Thank You for watching over us and giving us the strength needed to keep going today. All glory to You, Lord. IJMN. Amen.
This message is so vital. Thank you @FFJ for sharing it with all of us. As the first born son, Esau had an inheritance that he failed to cherish all for a plate of food. He made a vow in front of Jacob and the Lord to give up such a special gift for something so fleeting. It is understandable why God detested Esau. We know that God takes vows seriously.
God gives us free will to make our own decisions. I just pray that we realize how much our own decisions can cost us and we rely on the Holy Spirit to help us with our choices along the way. I pray that we realize how essential it is to value what is so freely given to us by the Lord and guard it with our hearts. We should always seek God first and foremost and put Him first which Esau failed to do. We must never take the Lord for granted. IJN. Amen.
From EC - Amen and good morning ladies!
From M22 - Thank you Heavenly Father for ushering us into the 2nd half of 2024 and the month of July. Thank you Abba for seeing us through January through June. Thank you for your grace, mercy, love, affection and protection towards us. Thank you for strengthening and renewing our lives, character and faith. We glorify your name! IJMN Amen.
Thank you for today's word sis @FFJ. Esau's story is a cautionary tale about prioritizing our godly inheritance. I know it is easy to look for shortcuts to get where we want but those ways can make us lose more than we invested. I pray to God that we have the patience to wait for our godly inheritance and when we get it we don't squander it away IJMN Amen.