Gen. 25:29-34; Rom. 9:10-13; Heb. 12:16-17

In considering Esau there are 2 statements from Scripture that help us to understand him.  

First, there is a statement in Malachi 1:2-5, quoted by Paul in Romans: “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”  This statement is used by the Apostle as clear evidence of the sovereignty of God.  It is a reference to what God has said to Rebekah when she inquired of Him.  Before Jacob and Esau were ever born or had ever done good or bad, God had said “the elder shall serve the younger”.  

We must always remember that the story in Genesis has to do with the eternal plan and purpose of God.  He is the one who determined that Jacob would be the son of Isaac through whom Christ would be exalted as Savior and Lord.  Thus God also determined that Esau would not be the chosen son.  

We should not miss the fact that God did bless Esau.  For example, the blessing pronounced by Isaac on Esau came with benefits (Gen. 27:39-40).  God gave land to the descendants of Esau that Jacob’s descendants were not allowed to have (Deut. 2:4-5).  God promises a future for Esau’s descendants in the end time, though ruled by the Messiah from Israel (Obadiah 21).  But Esau was not the one in God’s plan who would have the ascendency; that belonged to Jacob.

There is a second statement about Esau in Scripture.  He was a profane person (Heb. 12:16).  That is, he was one who valued lightly that which is highly esteemed by God.  The evidence for this is seen in the fact that he “despised his birthright” (Gen. 25:34).  He sold his birthright “for one morsel of food”.  

God’s word to Rebekah was for all the family to hear and heed.  It seems that none of them really trusted God in this.  Isaac prepared to bless Esau anyway as the firstborn.  Rebekah tricked her husband to get the blessing for her favorite son Jacob.  Jacob knew God’s will but felt he had to do God’s work for Him and so deceived his father.  Esau did not consider it worth much until he realized what it meant in terms of his father’s favor and the wealth and power that went with it (Gen. 27:30-40).  Esau never submitted himself to God’s sovereign plan.

You may accuse God of being unfair in judging a man that He has not chosen.  May I refer you to the clear answer to that charge in Romans 9:19-24.  God is the potter who can make of the clay what He wants to make.  Let us also be true to Scripture: Esau is held accountable for his actions.  He needed to submit himself to God and he did not.  He sought the blessing of his father with tears, but there was no place in his life for repentance (Heb. 12:17).

It is not required that you be able to cogently and clearly explain the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man.  What is required is that we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand (1 Peter 5:6).  Let us not reject God’s plan for our lives but rather let us trust His leading.  Let us not be profane persons as Esau.  Let us value what God values.