Plants and Foods of the Bible · The Bible Table · Legume
Lentils
A simple stew that reminds us not to trade things of great value for a craving of the moment
- Key verse
- Genesis 25:34
- Where we find it
- The small fields around the villages of Canaan
- What it reminds us of
- Wise choices and valuing the gifts of God
Stories from Scripture
Lentils in the stories of the Bible
Esau and Jacob
Esau and the lentil stew
Esau came home from the field worn out, while Jacob was cooking a stew. He asked for some of “that same red pottage,” and Jacob asked for his birthright in exchange. Esau swore, ate bread and the lentil stew, and went on his way. That is how he despised his birthright.
Genesis 25:29-34David and his friends
Friends who helped David
When King David came tired to Mahanaim, some friends brought him and his men beds, bowls, wheat, barley, flour, beans, lentils, honey, butter, sheep and cheese. They thought that these people must be hungry, weary and thirsty in the desert.
2 Samuel 17:27-29Shammah, one of David’s mighty men
Shammah and the field of lentils
When the Philistines came against a field full of lentils and the people fled, one of David’s mighty men, Shammah, stood in the middle of the field and defended it. The Bible says that the Lord brought about a great victory.
2 Samuel 23:11-12
From the world of the Bible
Did you know?
Lentils are one of the oldest plants grown by people. Lentil seeds have been found in very old settlements in the Near East.
Some kinds of lentils are reddish in color, which is why Esau called Jacob’s food “that same red pottage.”
Lentils are rich in protein, so they were a good, filling food for families who did not often have meat on the table.
From the Holy Scriptures
What do we read in the Bible about lentils?
34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
In kids’ words: Esau chose a craving of a moment over a blessing for a lifetime. The Bible says that he despised his birthright.
28 Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse,
29 And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.
In kids’ words: David’s friends saw that the people were weary and hungry and helped them with what they had — even with lentils.
Verses are quoted from the King James Version (KJV). Read each passage in the context of its chapter in the Bible.
What lentils teaches us
Do not trade what is big for what passes quickly
Esau was tired and hungry and wanted the stew right away. For one dish of lentils he gave away his birthright, a blessing for a whole lifetime. The Bible teaches us to stop and think before we choose: things that pass quickly are not worth as much as the gifts of God.
How we can live this out today
When you want something “right now,” stop and count to ten. Ask yourself, “What choice does God like?”
Mini-Quiz
What did you learn about lentils?
What did Esau do for the lentil stew?
For parents and children
At home and in Sunday school
A question for parents and children
Tell about a hasty choice that you regretted. What helps us make wiser decisions?
“Lord, help me not to choose in a hurry things that pass quickly. Teach me to value Your gifts more than any craving of the moment. Amen.”
Activity at home
Lentil soup
Cook a simple lentil soup. At the table, talk about not trading valuable things for a craving of the moment.