Jacob and Esau
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Trembling with astonishment and distress, the blind old father
learned the deception that had been practiced upon him. His long
and fondly cherished hopes had been thwarted, and he keenly felt the
disappointment that must come upon his elder son. Yet the conviction
flashed upon him that it was God’s providence which had defeated
his purpose and brought about the very thing he had determined to
prevent. He remembered the words of the angel to Rebekah, and
notwithstanding the sin of which Jacob was now guilty, he saw in him
the one best fitted to accomplish the purposes of God. While the words
of blessing were upon his lips, he had felt the Spirit of inspiration
upon him; and now, knowing all the circumstances, he ratified the
benediction unwittingly pronounced upon Jacob: “I have blessed him;
yea, and he shall be blessed.”
Esau had lightly valued the blessing while it seemed within his
reach, but he desired to possess it now that it was gone from him for-
ever. All the strength of his impulsive, passionate nature was aroused,
and his grief and rage were terrible. He cried with an exceeding bitter
cry, “Bless me, even me also, O my father!” “Hast thou not reserved a
blessing for me?” But the promise given was not to be recalled. The
birthright which he had so carelessly bartered he could not now regain.
“For one morsel of meat,” for a momentary gratification of appetite
that had never been restrained, Esau sold his inheritance; but when
he saw his folly, it was too late to recover the blessing. “He found no
place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.”
Hebrews
12:16, 17
. Esau was not shut out from the privilege of seeking God’s
favor by repentance, but he could find no means of recovering 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.
Because of his indifference to the divine blessings and require-
ments, Esau is called in Scripture “a profane person.”
Verse 16
. He
represents those who lightly value the redemption purchased for them
by Christ, and are ready to sacrifice their heirship to heaven for the
perishable things of earth. Multitudes live for the present, with no
thought or care for the future. Like Esau they cry, “Let us eat and
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drink; for tomorrow we die.”
1 Corinthians 15:32
. They are controlled
by inclination; and rather than practice self-denial, they will forgo the
most valuable considerations. If one must be relinquished, the gratifi-