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108
The Beginning of the End
his own soul, and against God. In one short hour he had provided
material for lifelong repentance. This scene was vivid before him in
later years when the wicked course of his own sons pained his soul.
No sooner had Jacob left his father’s tent than Esau entered.
Though he had sold his birthright, he was now determined to secure
its blessing. With the spiritual was connected the temporal birthright,
which would give him the headship of the family and a double
portion of his father’s wealth. “Let my father arise,” he said, “and
eat of his son’s game, that your soul may bless me.”
Trembling with surprise and distress, the blind old father learned
the deception that had been practiced on him. He keenly felt the
disappointment that must come upon his older son, yet the conviction
flashed into his mind that it was God’s leading that had brought about
the very thing he had determined to prevent. He remembered the
words of the angel to Rebekah, and he saw in Jacob the one best
fitted to accomplish the purpose of God. While the words of blessing
were upon his lips, he had felt the Spirit of Inspiration upon him; and
now he confirmed the benediction he had unwittingly pronounced
on Jacob: “I have blessed him—and indeed he shall be blessed.”
Esau Could Not Repent
Esau had lightly valued the blessing when it seemed within his
reach, but now that it was gone from him his grief and rage were
terrible. “Bless me—me also, O my father! ... Have you not reserved
a blessing for me?” But the birthright that he had so carelessly
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bargained away he could not regain. Esau sold his inheritance “For
one morsel of food,” for a momentary gratification of his appetite
that had never been restrained.
But when he saw his folly, it was too late to recover the blessing.
“He found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently
with tears” (
Hebrews 12:17
). Esau was not shut out from seeking
God’s favor by repentance, but he could find no way to recover the
birthright. His grief did not spring from conviction of sin; he did not
desire to be reconciled to God. He sorrowed because of the results
of his sin, but not for the sin itself.
In Scripture Esau is called a “profane person” (verse 16). He
represents those who lightly value the redemption Christ purchased