Manhattan Island has been purported to have been bought from Indians by the Dutch for $24, which has to be one of the all time deals gone south. Even when you factor in the exchange rate and inflation for the 60 guilders, it only comes to $951.08 USD (according to Google article by Matt Soniak). There might be a bit of a twist, however, as there is some evidence that the Indians who sold the land were just traveling through and sold a piece of land for which they had no property rights. So whose deal went south? Not sure but someone got something for nothing.
You've probably made one of those deals yourself, where you were taken to the cleaners by someone who was less than forthright and/or you were not taking the time and trouble to really think it through. Looking back on the deal you could just kick yourself for being so bone-headed. In the late 70s, I sold a 65 Mustang for $500. When I told the individual what I wanted, he immediately said, "Sold" and handed me five $100 bills. I had no notion of the potential value of that car, he apparently did. I have often wondered what that car is worth today.
In Genesis 25:29-34, Esau came in from hunting, extremely hungry. His younger twin brother, Jacob, was cooking some stew and Esau asked for some. Jacob agreed but only in exchange for his brother's birthright (his standing in the family and the lion's share of inheritance). Esau agreed saying, "Look, I am about to die. What good is that birthright to me?" (v. 32). Hmmm. I'm thinking "impulse buying," what about you? Yeah, he didn't really think this one through, did he?
But of course, that narrative is not in the Bible just for history's sake. It is there for our learning as a warning against trading off what is vitally important for what is immediately gratifying. For instance, trading away your marriage for a one-night stand. Or, trading away your job for a few under-the-table office supplies. How about trading everything you've worked for and everyone you love for life as a crack addict?
Far worse than all mentioned above, how many trade their life eternal in heaven for temporary material gain here on earth. How many trade their heavenly birthright for earthly stew. That's what the story of Jacob and Esau is all about relly. It's about the temptaton given rise by immediate desires that eclipses the eternal value of godliness. As Jesus queried, "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? (Mk 8:36). Jus' Ask'n.
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