Genesis 25:27-34 As the boys grew, Esau became a skillful hunter, while Jacob was a quiet sort who liked to stay at home. Isaac’s favorite was Esau, because of the venison he brought home, and Rebekah’s favorite was Jacob. One day Jacob was cooking stew when Esau arrived home exhausted from the hunt.
Esau: “Boy, am I starved! Give me a bite of that red stuff there!”….
Jacob: “All right, trade me your birthright for it”
Esau: “When a man is dying of starvation, what good is his birthright?”…
And Esau vowed, thereby selling all his eldest-son rights to his younger brother. Then Jacob gave Esau bread, peas, and stew; so he ate and drank and went about his business, indifferent to the loss of the rights he had thrown away. [Living Bible translation]
Summary:
The history of the nation of Israel, from Abraham, to Isaac, to his sons, Jacob and Esau and to the generations that followed is a fascinating account. Each of these Biblical characters is instructive. There is the drama of family dynamics involving Isaac, his wife Rebekah, and their sons, Jacob and Esau. There is the relationship between the brothers, who were twins. There are the individual personalities of Esau and Jacob--one a skillful hunter and the other a homebody. There are the decisions that were made, and the opportunities that were lost. Esau, who did not value his birthright, in a “moment of weakness” (human hunger), gave up his inheritance rights (and all the promises of GOD inherent in that birthright, which GOD had given to Abraham) for a mere bowl of stew, some bread, some peas and a drink. He did not realize until much later (and when it was too late) what he had done or given up. Esau’s failure to realize what was important changed his life forever.
HOW IMPORTANT IS EXERCISE?
Sometimes we don’t realize something is important until it is too late.
In “Exercise: What’s In It for You?” WebMD describes why exercise is important. According to WebMD, some of the important reasons why we should exercise include the following:
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- HEART HEALTH - Exercise is good the heart. Regular workouts lowers your risk of heart disease, improves your blood cholesterol levels, helps controls and may even present high blood pressure.
- LOWERS CANCER RISK- Some of the cancers risks that can be lowered are the risks of colon, breast and lung cancer. Also exercise can improve the quality of life of those with cancer.
- LESSENS ARTHRITIS PAIN – Regular exercise can help with arthritis pain and make daily activities easier.
- BETTER MOOD – Exercise improves your mood. Exercise releases endorphins, “feel good” chemicals in the brain.
- MORE ENERGY – Using energy to exercise gives you more get up and go. Exercise may help with fatigue.
- HELPS WITH SLEEP – Regular exercise tends to help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly.
- REDUCES STRESS – Exercise, especially aerobic exercise may help to reduce stress hormones—like adrenaline and cortisol.
- LONGEVITY – Even a little exercise can help you live longer than those who don’t exercise. The American Heart Association says that people who exercise live an average of 7 years longer than those who don’t exercise.
See, “What’s In It for You?” https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/ss/slideshow-exercise
STRENGTHENING LOWER BACK EXERCISES
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- CLAIMSHELL
- Start Position – Lie on your left side on a mat stacking your right leg and knee onto of your left leg and knee. Use your left hand to prop up your head and place your right hand on the floor for balance in front of you.
- Bend your knees, which should also be stacked, in a 45-degree angle.
- Lift your right knee toward the ceiling, keeping your sides of your heels touching. use your gluts to initiate movement. Squeeze as you lift.
- Lower your right knee and leg back to the start positions, again making sure the sides of your shoes continue to touch. Do 5-10 on that side then switch to the other side.
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- TABLETOP LEG PRESS
- Lie face up on a mat with your legs in a tabletop position. [Your knees should be bent in a 90-degree position.]
- Contract your abs and press the low back into the mat. Place your hands on the front of your quads (the area just above your knees).
- Drive your quads into your hands while simultaneously pressing them away. There shouldn’t be much movement in your body, but you should feel the tension in your core.
- Hold this position for 4-5 second. Relax and then repeat.
For additional exercise (e.g., Dead Bug and Bird Dog) and visuals, See, https://www.self.com/gallery/core-exercises-for-lower-back-pain-relief
If you have a medical condition, balance problems or taking medication, consult your personal physician about the right exercise for you. If you get dizzy, discontinue immediately and again consult your physician.
WHAT’S IMPORTANT TO GOD
Wednesday is a day for self-examination. It is a day to consider what are the things that we think are important and what are the things GOD says are important. What are our physical needs? What are our spiritual needs? The Bible says:
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled. [Matthew 5:6, New International translation]
- Don’t worry about things----food, drink, clothes. For you already have life and a body—and they are far more important than what to eat and wear. [Matthew 6:25 Living Bible translation]
- But seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness , and all these things will be given to you as well. [Matthew 6:33]
Today is a day to reflect, to ponder, to consider what’s important and to pray GOD give us clean hearts and HIS HOLY SPIRIT so we can make the right choices.
Pray for the children and young adults.
Pray for the world.
Pray that we all hunger and thirst after righteousness.
Pray and BE BLESSED!
