Esau’s Tragedy by Kirk Hunt
lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
Hebrews 12:16-17 NKJV
Read also Hebrews 12:14-17
Esau could not take it back. When he sold his birthright for a meal, that was the ballgame. His tears and sincerity later did not matter. The blessings of God are His gift, and we reject them at our own peril. Esau’s tragedy is that he took too long to take God seriously.
Do God’s people make mistakes? Of course they do. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all made serious errors and blunders. But they always respected God, and His promises.
In His mercy and grace, God allowed Esau to be a significant person (for Abraham’s sake). But Esau’s descendants are a footnote in history, and the man himself is a negative example in Scripture. Esau is a warning that you can burn your standing with God.
Psalms 103:8-10 contains chilling words. God’s mercy and grace end, often where His justice and righteousness begin. Esau despised the gifts of God, and was surprised to find himself rejected by God.
God’s mercy, justice, grace and judgment are infinite in capacity, but not application. Esau learned that God makes choices about who He advances and who He rejects. Esau’s tragedy is that he found out, too late.
Think: God’s and His promises are serious business. Are my choices serious about God?
Pray: “Lord, help me to take You, and Your promises, seriously.”
Copyright © January 2025, Kirk Hunt
This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.