The Biblical record of Esau and Jacob shows us that there were many similarities between them, but the record also shows that there were stark differences in their characters, in their general attitudes toward things of eternal interest and in the way they valued the Gift of God in our salvation. Both children were made aware of the promise of The Messiah, and it was revealed to them that through their family line the Savior would be born.
But with Esau, that promise never resonated, and throughout his life, he never seemed to realize his own need of salvation. Jacob, on the other hand seemed to be consumed with the promise, and day by day, as he pondered on the prospect, it became all-absorbing, to the point where he was constantly on the alert for any opportunity to procure the gift.
Thus it was, that although there seemed to be many similarities between Jacob and Esau, the Bible says that they were two manner of people. This cryptic explanation of those prenatal struggles in Rebekah’s womb was given by God, not with the intent to set her children’s destiny in stone, but to reveal the real reason behind the disturbances between the two.
There are several discoveries in their life experience from which we can learn valuable lessons which can help us to better understand God’s interaction with men, and also to help us avoid some of the common misconceptions about our own salvation. Therefore, we will take a few observations from scripture, and we will extract sacred truths, which should help us on or journey toward the kingdom. Let’s read:
Genesis 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife.
21 And Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren, and the Lord was entreated of him and Rebekah his wife conceived.
22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the Lord.
Lesson [1] Just because God may answer our prayer it doesn’t mean that everything will be guaranteed smooth sailing. Rebekah was wondering, if God has indeed answered our prayers, what’s the reason for this incessant turmoil in my womb. She, like many of us, probably thought that answered prayer would naturally translate into a trouble-free experience, but history shows that this is not always the case.
There are times in our own experience, when the answers to our prayers may seem to trigger a host of adverse circumstances but we are not to become bewildered or frustrated. In times like these we can, and should adopt the next lesson, for Rebekah went back to God for answers, as we also should, when in answer to prayer, things seem to go off the rails. Let’s read:
Genesis 25:22 And she went to enquire of the Lord.
23 And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
As was stated before, this prediction of God did not set the future of her two children in an iron destiny, from which they could not escape, and in which the freedom of choice would be removed. Each would have ample opportunity to weigh, and evaluate the promises of God, and each would be free to make a choice, uninhibited by any prophecy.
Adverse prophecies of God pertaining to individuals and nations, do not seal their destiny in stone. We make choices, and these are what determine our eternal destiny. In fact, if God has to let a prophecy fail, so that persons may be saved, He will permit it to fail, for Jesus died, not merely to fulfill prophecy but to save people. Thus, Esau’s eternal destiny was simply the result of those choices he had always made throughout his life. Let’s read:
Hebrews 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Some people have struggled with this truth, after reading what Paul states in Romans chapter nine, but what is there stated is in perfect harmony with other passages of scripture, which bring balance to the equation. And as we read, may God help us to do so without any preconceived ideas or biases, for what is written by Paul concerning Esau and Jacob was inspired by The Holy Ghost. Let’s read:
Romans 9:11 For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;
12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
We must be very careful in our interpretation of the previous passages, for God takes no pleasure in the eternal death of any person; on the contrary He sets in motion, extra grace and mercy where it is most needed. Thus, it is entirely up to the individual, or to the nation to respond appropriately because it’s our response to His grace that makes all the difference.
God does not force anyone to love and obey Him; He presents our sinful condition to us, He shows us our need of The Savior, but He never compels us to choose life. These choices rest solely in our hands, and if we choose wisely, power and grace would be given to enable us to love and obey Him. Let’s read:
Romans 5:20 But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.
Ezekiel 18:21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
Jonah 3:1 And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying,
2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.
4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.
9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
It is important however, for us to understand more of the similarities and differences between Esau and Jacob and what bearing they may have in the bigger picture. Both of them had the very same religious training and both were taught the laws of God from an early age. Both of them were polygamists, and at times both manifested human sympathy, with the genuine expression of emotion. Let’s read:
Genesis 29: 10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father.
Genesis 33:1 And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men.
2 And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.
3 And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
4 And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.
5 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.
6 Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves.
7 And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.
8 And he said, What meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, These are to find grace in the sight of my lord.
9 And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself.
Very noble traits of character were here manifested by Esau, for not only was he moved by human pity and compassion at seeing his brother with the little children, knowing that he would be their uncle, but he also demonstrated that he was not a grasping person, for when he was offered an abundance of flocks he refused, stating that he was content with what he had.
Yet, Esau is described as a “Profane” person in the scriptures. The question is why does God view him as being profane, when Esau did not practice fraud like his brother Jacob, and manifested compassion in tangible ways? It has to do with “Two manner of people”. There are those who would hear nothing about Christ and His sacrifice to save man, yet, who are at the forefront of social justice.
Some are moved with human pity at what is now taking place at the border, and many tears are shed at the revolting sight of the father, and his daughter who drowned, while crossing the Rio Grande. Yet, with some, the things which pertain to the kingdom of God, are of little or no interest. Thus, the mere manifestation of human pity by itself, is not a sure sign that one is intimately affiliated with God.
Cain was repulsed by the very thought of shedding the life of an innocent animal for sin, for he seemed to be moved with pity at the prospect. Instead, he brought fruit, and saved the life of an animal. Hitler was known for his efforts at championing the cause of animal rights, and he was an environmentalist. Yet, it didn’t seem like a big deal to slay millions of Jews, just as Cain had saved the lives of animals, but took the life of his brother.
In our day, a phenomenon known as “Good without God” is rapidly gaining traction. It is being displayed on billboards across the land and it is showing up on the placards of some protesters against religion and the concept is gaining traction among many who might display genuine compassion and concern for our fellowmen. Here is where there’s a difference in the two manner of people.
One group manifests genuine compassion for the unfortunate, and good deeds spring forth naturally in response to feelings of human pity. But, coupled together with these good tendencies, they realize their need of The Savior, who alone can fill the void in the heart.
This group gladly accepts God’s free gift to man in Christ, and in their estimation, God’s promise of a better world translates into having every temporal concern in subjection to the immortal inheritance. Let’s read:
Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
The other group, however, manifests the same pity and compassion wherever it is warranted, but their deeds, aspirations, and emotions are often kept prominently in view. There is no mention of God whatsoever, and they couldn’t care less what Jesus did for us on Calvary. This group views the promises of God as wishful thinking without foundation, and therefore sees no need of A Savior. That’s why Esau is described as being profane, or godless. Let’s read:
Genesis 25:33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and a pot of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
The word “Despised” suggests that Esau felt a sense of relief by relinquishing the spiritual aspects of the birthright. He felt as if a heavy burden was lifted off his shoulders, for by selling it, he no more had to think about the laws, and instructions of God, nor would he have to contemplate any sacrifice for sin. Nothing could hurt God more, to the core, than for us treat lightly, what Jesus went through on Calvary to save us from sin.
Another problem which surfaced in Esau is the way in which his decisions were made, for according to the sacred record, he seemed to be motivated first and foremost, by what others thought of him. In other words, he was a creature of circumstance, so that wherever and whatever the popular thing may be at the moment, there he would be found, even if he were not fully convinced in his heart. Let’s read:
Genesis 28:6 When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;
8 Esau, seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father;
9 Went unto Ishmael and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, to be his wife.
Now folks, there is absolutely a problem with this mode of thought and action, because according to the scriptures, his sole motivation for marrying this new person was so that he could please his parents. He would have children by her, and he would take the marriage vow, not because he loved her, but so that he could be in good favor with his parents. That’s a huge problem!
This mode of thought and action highlights another flaw in Esau’s thinking, and which is often reflected in the popular majority. Esau would do things, not because he necessarily loved, or believed in those things, but if by so doing he would gain the approval of men, he would be fine with it, whatever the cost.
In our day, the heathen practices of tattooing and body piercing have resurfaced and are scheduled to be in proliferation just before Christ returns. And many individuals are jumping on the band wagon, not because they are necessarily convinced, but simply because it is the popular, fashionable thing to do.
And just like Esau, once the compliments, and the admirations of man begin to flow, some are thereby induced to get even more tattoos, until the entire body is covered with ink. The words “Inkaholic” and addicted to ink have now become mainstream, and the practices have made inroads even into Christian circles. But it is always better to swim upstream, doing God’s will, than to swim downstream with the flow, where the popular majority converge.
There are millions who make choices and do things simply because it will secure the approval of others, and many people would have never gotten a tattoo, if it had not become the popular thing to do. But for us to do anything, simply because of the admiration of men means that we will go with the flow, where ever the flow may lead us, and thus, when the mark of the beast takes center stage, and becomes most popular, the habit of going with the flow will reach its zenith.
And the problem does not stop with tattoos, and body piercing; it extends to Brazilian butt lifts, and a host of unnecessary cosmetic surgeries and artificial implants into various parts of the body, the most of which are done with the single purpose of soliciting the praise and admiration of men. The phenomena has actually jumped by 98% just in the last 10 years.
Some may argue that such practices have nothing to do with righteousness, but the Bible teaches us differently, for God’s plan of salvation addresses all aspects of the entire person, including the physical body. Therefore, whatsoever we do in the physical will directly affect the spiritual, and vice-versa, as several passages of scripture show. Let’s read:
1st Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God, in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1st Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
1st Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. (If we let Him)
(Both the mark of the beast and the seal of God will be seated in the body, literally. Let’s read:)
Revelation 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.
Revelation 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
The forehead contains the frontal lobes, where decisions are made, therefore, let none be deceived into believing that there is not a close sympathy between the physical and the spiritual. Let’s read:
(Live Science) Damage to the brain's frontal lobe is known to impair one's ability to think and make choices. And now scientists say they've pinpointed the different parts of this brain region that preside over reasoning, self-control and decision-making. Researchers say the data could help doctors determine what specific cognitive obstacles their patients might face after a brain injury.
Leviticus 19:28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.
However, as was stated before, as a general rule of thumb, the destiny of every person is linked to the choices made, and since God does not coerce our choices, there is still hope for those who may have become enslaved to popular opinions and practices.
If for some reason we discover that we have latent Esau-like tendencies; if we find that there is in us, a burning desire to have the admiration and approval of the masses, and if we find ourselves not having much interest in spiritual things, there is still hope.
God does not condemn us for being who we are, but what He desires is that we seek the necessary changes by His grace, that will align our will with His and have us be found in Christ, who alone can cure the many imperfections and short-comings found in humanity.
If Esau had asked God to grant him the desire for spiritual things, if he had requested for himself a realization of his fallen condition, or if he had asked for the gift of repentance, God would have granted the request. Therefore, there is hope.
The election of God never predestines any person to be irretrievably lost, on the contrary the salvation of God through Christ, caters for any, and everyone who will believe, and act on their belief. Thus, we will close with a gentle reminder that God’s purpose in sending Jesus to this world is to save as many as would be saved. Let us never forget this. We read:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
God Bless!