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Genesis 27b:

Reading #120  Esau’s reaction

The promise belongs to all who will accept it.  That is what we must always remember.

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Genesis 27: 

30 And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. 31 And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it to his father, and said to his father, “Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison, that your soul may bless me.” 32 And Isaac his father said to him, “Who are you?” And he said, “I am your son, your firstborn Esau.”

33 And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, “Who?  Where is he that has taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before you came, and have blessed him?  Yea, and he shall be blessed.”

34 And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said to his father, “Bless me, even me also, O my father.” 35 And he said, “Your brother came with subtlety, and has taken away your blessing [as head of the church].”

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No sooner had Jacob left his father's tent than Esau entered. Though he had sold his birthright, and confirmed the transfer by a solemn oath, he was now determined to secure its blessings, regardless of his brother's claim. With the spiritual was connected the earthly birthright, which would give him the headship of the family and possession of a double portion of his father's wealth and that was what he wanted.

How did Esau feel about all this?  Not very happy because he imagined he was going to miss out on the earthly wealth and enjoyment!

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Genesis 27:

36 And he [Esau] said, “Is not he rightly named Jacob?  For he has supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he has taken away my blessing.” And he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?”

37 And Isaac answered and said to Esau, “Behold, I have made him your lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now to you, my son?” 38 And Esau said to his father, “Have you but one blessing, my father?  Bless me, even me also, O my father.” And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept. 

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The circumstances of Esau's selling his birthright represents all the unrighteous, or natural humans, who consider the redemption purchased for them by Christ of little value, and sacrifice their position in Heaven for perishable treasures. Many are controlled by their appetite, and rather than deny an unhealthy one, will turn away from high and valuable spiritual considerations.

Trembling with astonishment and distress, the blind old father learned of 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 now remembered the words of the Son of God to his wife Rebekah, and despite the sin of which Jacob was now guilty, he saw in him the one best fitted to accomplish the purposes of God. God rarely has many workers unfortunately, so He takes what He can get.  (See Job 33:23, note the “if”.)  While the words of blessing had been 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 [because he will listen to God.]" 

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 forever. 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!"

"Have you 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 [but not prayerfully] with tears." Hebrews 12:16-17.

Esau was NOT shut out by God from the privilege of seeking favour by repentance.  He could find no means of recovering the birthright because 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 or the effect it would have on his Saviour.  (Remember he could have had it, because the same blessing is available to all.)  God NEVER shuts the door on us, we ALWAYS do it to ourselves by choosing something else.

Because of his indifference to the divine blessings and requirements, Esau is called in Scripture "a profane [irreverent] person." Verse 16.

Multitudes of these live for the present, with no thought or care for the eternal future. Like Esau they cry, "Let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die." 1 Corinthians 15:32.

When a choice must be made, either the gratification of a depraved appetite or the heavenly blessings promised only to the self-denying and God-fearing, the claims of appetite prevail, and God and heaven are virtually despised. Many, even of professed Christians, cling to indulgences that are injurious to health and that numb the sensibilities of the mind. When the duty is presented of cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1), perfecting holiness by listening to God, they are offended. They see that they cannot retain these hurtful desires and yet secure heaven, and they conclude that since the way to eternal life is so strait or difficult, they will no longer walk that way, and instead seek a “way” which looks Godly, but which is really of men. 2 Timothy 3:5. 

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Genesis 27:

39 And Isaac his father answered and said to him, “Behold, your dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above [Esau actually got all the wealth because Jacob ran away and never possessed any of it. He became independently wealthy through God’s way.]

40 And by your sword shall you [Esau] live, and [yet] shall serve your brother; and it shall come to pass when you shall have the dominion [the opportunity], that you shall break his yoke from off your neck [reject his way permanently.  That opportunity came when Jacob returned.]”

41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand;  [when he is dead] then will I slay my brother Jacob.”

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Esau was promised all that this world has to offer and even freedom from his brother’s spiritual advice for a time, but the natural outcome of this experience was that Esau hated his brother and wanted to kill him.  He felt in his heart that Jacob was now superior to him in position and he was just waiting for the opportunity when God’s protection would be withdrawn. 

In this prophetic word picture of Isaac’s is set forth the time when God’s protection will apparently be withheld while His people stand up to witness for Him.  Then the inhabitants of this world, led by Satan, will attempt to wipe true Christianity from the face of the earth, the ultimate of genocides.  This has been tried at various times in history but has never been successful.  Of course, it can’t ever succeed, but this last time they will be the closest to victory for many Christians will die for their faith.

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Revelation 13:

3 … and ALL THE WORLD wondered [followed] after the beast [civil authority guided by the “woman”, Revelation 17:3.] 4 And they worshipped the dragon [a symbol of Satan, Revelation 12:9] which gave power to the beast [from the background]: and they worshipped the beast, saying, “Who is like to the beast? [Civil authority/religion is best.]  Who is able to make war with him? [Christianity hasn’t got a hope because it hasn’t got a “sword” and won’t stand up for its rights.]” 

[Of course, they will not see the issue as being one of themselves against heaven, but of their own desires against a straggle of religious persons who condemn them for their behaviour simply by their very presence!  In fact, the “Esaus” will be very religious and prosperous in man’s way, while the “Jacobs” will be scattered and very few and apparently without any power to resist.]

5 And there was given to him [the beast and its rider] a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given to him to continue forty-two months. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven [this will result in another reign of terror as in France in 1793-96].

7 And it was given to him to make war with the saints, AND TO OVERCOME THEM: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations [of the world]. 

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This sometimes called “Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:5-10), a situation will we learn more of later in Genesis.

Any comments on the above? 

See you next week, 

Ron

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