Esau – CadreMen Press

Esau’s Tragedy

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.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Esau’s Choices

Esau’s Choices by Kirk Hunt

When Esau was forty years old, he took as wives Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. And they were a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah.

Genesis 26:34-35NKJV

After devaluing and disdaining his birthright, Esau chose wives from among the Hittite people. Scripture does not explain Esau’s reasoning for selecting his wives, or anyone’s actions after the marriages. All we know from verse 35 is that Rebekah and Issac experienced sorrow and anguish because of their daughter-in-laws.

God does not make robots of us. We are free to choose our lives and actions. You should understand that choices always have outcomes and impacts. Some have far more impact than others.

The people you include, or exclude, from your life are one of the most critical choices you can make. Esau’s choice of wives resulted in his parents grief and regret at his decisions. While neither spouses or parents are ever perfect, complete dismay at your choice of husband or wife should be a warning sign.

All of your choices mean something. Some, matter greatly. A long series of good and wise choices lead to particular outcomes. An extended string of bad and foolish choices lead to specific results. Pause here and do the math for yourself.

Your choices matter. Your free will comes from God. Your results, most of the time, are what you picked. You are responsible for your choices.

Think: God has given me free will. Are my choices good or bad, wise or foolish?

Pray: “Lord, help me to make my choices in Your will and wisdom.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Esau’s Birthright

Esau’s Birthright by Kirk Hunt

Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.”

So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Genesis25:33-34NKJV

Esau was hungry and tired, and Jacob acted. This was not really a moment of weakness for Esau. The moment exposed how much Esau disdained his rights and heritage. Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup.

God has given you gifts and valuables. A strong family life is a treasure. Good health is a precious commodity. God’s presence in your life is wealth beyond measure.

Do you value such riches? Do you take them for granted? Do you look down on them as having little or no worth?

God’s promises, first given to Abraham, were Esau’s birthright. Esau actively devalued God’s oath to make him a blessing to the world and a link in the lineage of Messiah. Esau traded an honored place in history and Scripture for a serving of beans.

Stop and consider what forms of wealth and promise God has given you. You will eventually act on how much (or little) you value the precious things he has placed in your life. Will you sell your birthright or esteem it greatly?

Think: God has given me valuable gifts. Do I value them?

Pray: “Lord, help me to value what You give me.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Buying Reconciliation

“Buying Reconciliation” By Kirk Hunt

But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.” And Jacob said, “No, please, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me.

Genesis 33:9–10 NKJV

The murderous hatred of Esau did not soften; instead, it transformed into brotherly love. Not suddenly with gifts, but slowly in the two decades of separation from his twin brother. Whatever Jacob’s opinion of Esau before, he is delighted by his brother’s acceptance in reconciliation. “You were pleased with me.”

Reconciliation is rarely a complicated business. Restoring relationships is almost always a lavishly expensive affair. The cost in swallowed pride and forgiven offensives starts high, then grows with each passing day. Unwinding, or flat forgiving, old grievances can take more out of you than you think or know.

Jacob’s wealth and blessings could not buy off his conscience or wrongdoing. He had to face his brother and fix their relationship. Unsure of his brother’s response (400 men), Jacob faced the regional warlord with nothing but courage and determination.

The fortune in livestock Jacob gave to Esau was not a bribe. It was an apology. Esau’s embrace of Jacob restored peace and joy, too long absent between them. Tears, of joy and relief, marked the return of brothers to each other’s life.

It is not too late or too hard for you. Spend your time, money and tears on reconciliation. Use your every skill and resource to restore the relationship. It will be a bargain at twice the price.

Think: Reconciliation is expensive but satisfying.

Pray: “Lord, help me find the way to bring us back together.”

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.