Why Esau?

Read Hebrews 12:14-17

In my last blog post we discussed God’s loving discipline for those who belong to him. He only disciplines sons and daughters. It is for our benefit in order that we share in his holiness. In the next section of Scripture after speaking of sons the writer mentions an example that we should NOT follow. That person is Esau.

It is important to remember the context of Hebrews which is to hold your confidence until the end without wavering. Confidence in Christ as opposed to self righteousness in keeping the law of Moses. Those professing Christ were being tempted to give up. They are admonished not to give up because of persecution or any persuasion by false teachers. The great sin mentioned in Hebrews is to trample the blood of Christ under one’s feet as if it wasn’t sufficient to save and sanctify (make holy) those who are called. As verse 14 states without this holiness that the Lord works in the life of the believer—no one will see the Lord.

There could be tares mixed in with the wheat as Jesus’ parable explains. Those professing Christ in congregations might “fail” of the present tense “grace” mentioned in the text. That grace which is God supplying loving discipline and power to share in his holiness for those who belong to him. Some of them could be like Esau. You will not find a passage that speaks of Esau encountering the Lord like his brother Jacob at Bethel. The God of the Tanakh (Old Testament Hebrew Bible) is never called the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Esau. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Quoting from the Old Testament, in the context of election, spoken by the LORD in Romans 9:13 we read, “As it is written: I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.”

Esau easily traded his birthright for a bowl of stew. He didn’t care about the importance of the birthright and the blessing of God. The temporary fulfillment of his flesh was most important to him. When Jacob later received the blessing Esau became angry and bitter. He could not find the desire to repent because he believed he deserved the blessing. The example of Esau is one that portrays someone who gives up easily in the midst of pressure.

Are you a son or daughter who experiences the loving discipline of your heavenly Father? Or are you an Esau?

“And make sure that there isn’t any immoral or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for a single meal. ¹⁷ For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, even though he sought it with tears, because he didn’t find any opportunity for repentance.” Hebrews 12:16-17

Here is a link to the Bible study I wrote about the only way to have victory and hold your confidence until the end: http://thebp.site/221771