Esau's Battlegound
Amazingly Esau and Jesus faced identical battles. Esau's did not last very long.
Satan seized an opportunity and mounted a raid on Jesus' future. (And the future of mankind.)
An as yet untested Jesus is led by the Holy Spirit into the desert. He eats nothing for forty days. Jesus is at His weakest and then the devil arrives. (Satan still does that today, it has been a most succesful strategy for him.)
The sweet voice of the devil is always heard at the greatest point of vulnerability.
Jesus' weak point was hunger, and then of course the exhaustion that must result.
In blunt contrast, Esau had spent just one day hunting and was famished as he returned to the tent. Jacob tested Esau. (See yesterday's SoulSnack Esau's Warning)
With the poorest of judgement, the greatest exaggeration and the impulsiveness of hunger, Esau claimed to Jacob:
"Look I am about to die." (Genesis 25:29)
And then promptly Esau lost the battle, as he sold his birthright for a pot of stew.
In the loneliness of the desert satan too invites Jesus to exchange his present pain for immediate gain.
"If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." (Matthew 4:3)
Completely unlike Esau, Jesus' response was not from His stomach but His faith.
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes form the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)
In fact three times satan assaults the weakened Jesus. Three times satan fails.
Can you imagine the foolishness of a man who bought his pleasure today at the expense of his prosperity tomorrow?
In complete contrast to Esau, Jesus knew that life is battleground fought on by faith, not a playground enjoyed for today.
A future that is going to be built well, will always first be tested.
The future is secured from strong faith, not lazy feelings.
Today's Soul Snippet:
"There is no thirsting for righteousness without a distaste for sin." ~ Michael Cartwright
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