Make sure that no one commits sexual sin or is as concerned about earthly things as Esau was. He sold his rights as the firstborn son for a single meal. You know that afterwards, when he wanted to receive the blessing that the firstborn son was to receive, he was rejected. Even though he begged and cried for the blessing, he couldn’t do anything to change what had happened. _{Heb 12:16-17 (GW)}

Hosted by Howie Mandel, “Deal or No Deal” is an exhilarating hit game show, where contestants play and deal for a top prize of $1 million in a high-energy contest of nerves, instincts and raw intuition.

Each night, the game of odds and chance unfolds when a contestant is confronted with 26 sealed briefcases full of varying amounts of cash – ranging from a measly penny to $1 million. Without knowing the amount in each briefcase, the contestant picks one – his to keep, if he chooses – until its unsealing at game’s end.

The risk element kicks in when the player must then instinctively eliminate the remaining 25 cases – which are opened and the amount of cash inside revealed. The pressure mounts as in each round, after a pre-determined number of cases are opened, the participant is tempted by a mysterious entity known only as “the Banker” to accept an offer of cash in exchange for what might be contained in the contestant’s chosen briefcase – prompting Mandel to ask the all-important question – Deal or No Deal?

As each case is opened, the likelihood of the player having a valuable cash amount in his or her own case decreases or increases. Viewers will see if, truly, fortune favors the bold. The contestant knows that as long as the larger cash prizes haven’t been opened, the Banker’s deals will only get higher. And if the conflicted contestant accidentally opens a case with a bigger cash value – the Banker’s offer could suddenly evaporate.

The banker sits behind a dark glass and all you can see is his outline as he dials up the hot line to Howie to offer what he hopes will be an offer you can not refuse. The banker is made out to be sinister and his intentions are to trap you into giving up a million dollars for a measly couple hundred thousand.

The show gets great ratings probably because we all like to think that we can strike it rich and love rooting for the ”little guy”. A game show, although entertaining, is not life or death. Even if you loose a million you still gained in the television exposure and perhaps you come away with a few thousand dollars for your appearance.

Real life however is not like a game show; there are real consequences for bad choices. In our biblical example Esau found out, the hard way, life’s consequences when he gambled with his birthright and lost.

Once, Jacob was preparing a meal when Esau, exhausted, came in from outdoors. Â So Esau said to Jacob, “Let me have the whole pot of red stuff to eat—that red stuff—I’m exhausted.” This is why he was called Edom. Jacob responded, “First, sell me your rights as firstborn.” Â “I’m about to die.” Esau said. “What good is my inheritance to me?” Â “First, swear an oath,” Jacob said. So Esau swore an oath to him and sold him his rights as firstborn. Â Then Jacob gave Esau a meal of bread and lentils. He ate and drank, and then he got up and left._{Gen 25:29-34 (GW)}

Jacob in this story could be likened to the Banker on Deal or No Deal, for he held the upper hand. He saw the desperation in Esau and used that against him in order to get him to sell him his birthright. Esau was in deep despair thinking that he was going to die from hunger and therefore willingly sold Jacob his birthright. Later after he came to himself he realized what he had done and could not undo the deal.

Once you sell your briefcase on Deal or No Deal you have to take the offer. Then and only then do the producers show you what you gave up in the briefcase you were holding for yourself. Many times the amount you sold the briefcase for is more than what was in the case but there are more times when the amount in the case far exceeds what you were able to sell it for.

A pot of stew is what Esau sold his birthright for. We see another example of the Banker banking on the weakness of an individual in hopes of buying him cheap.

Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil. Jesus did not eat anything for 40 days and 40 nights. At the end of that time, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” Jesus answered, “Scripture says, ‘A person cannot live on bread alone but on every word that God speaks.’” Then the devil took him into the holy city and had him stand on the highest part of the temple. He said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, jump! Scripture says, ‘He will put his angels in charge of you. They will carry you in their hands so that you never hit your foot against a rock.’” Jesus said to him, “Again, Scripture says, ‘Never tempt the Lord your God.’” Once more the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms in the world and their glory. The devil said to him, “I will give you all this if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! Scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came to take care of him. _{Matt 4:1-11 (GW)}

In order for Jesus to identify with our temptation, he too was tempted, just like Esau. For 40 days Jesus did not eat anything and at the end of that time he was hungry. Esau came home famished and hungry and wanted a pot of stew. Jesus was offered bread if he would only sell out to the Banker. Unlike Esau, Jesus refused to sell.

Later the Banker took Jesus to a very high place on the temple and appealed to his sense of invulnerability, but Jesus again said no deal.

Finally the Banker tempted Jesus with fame and fortune if he would just sell him his birthright but Jesus still refused.

Temptation comes to all of us in much the same way. The Banker attempts to lure us into a deal that is damaging to our souls by promising a chance at something bigger. Esau could not see the value of his birthright until it was gone. On Deal or No Deal you can not see the value of your briefcase until it is gone. In real life, we oftentimes fail to see the value of our life until we are about to loose it.

Satan (the Banker) loves playing a game of DEAL or No Deal. We should not be surprised that we are engaged in this swap-meet, because Jesus was tempted to sell out by the very same game show host. Although on the game show ‘Deal or No Deal’ you may walk out without any money. In real life you may loose your whole soul by selling out to Banker.

How much are you willing to sell out for? If you are hoping for a big payday then I suggest you hold out until Jesus comes back to bring you your reward. Selling out to this world has eternal consequences. You have more to loose than a few dollars. Deal or no Deal, what is your answer?

What profit has a man if he gets all the world with the loss of his life? And what would a man give in exchange for his life? _{Mark 8:36-37 (BBE)}

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. _{Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)}

 

 

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