Esau's Sale Of His Birthright.

Adapted From A Sermon By

Philip Doddridge

That no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

(Hebrews 12:16-17)

This morning, we reflect on Hebrews 12:16-17, exploring the sobering account of Esau’s sale of his birthright and its profound consequences.

The apostle found it essential to issue this warning when addressing Christians who made an early and notable profession of faith, when speaking to communities where many had endured far greater trials than any we have encountered. For he informs us that they had joyfully accepted the confiscation of their possessions, as those who understood they possessed in heaven a superior and enduring treasure.

Yet, in the same breath, he cautions them not to forsake their confidence, which, if they preserved, would yield great reward, indicating that the assurance of their reward depended on steadfastly maintaining their initial confidence until the end.

Here he delivers a serious admonition, urging them to diligently watch themselves and one another within the Christian community to which they belonged, and to carefully ensure that no one should fail to obtain the grace of God, or, as the original text states, lest he should fall away from it, meaning to abandon the gospel, lest any root of bitterness should arise and cause trouble, thereby corrupting many.

This clearly refers to the passage in Deuteronomy, where Moses warns them "lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, one who... blesses himself in his heart"(Deuteronomy 29:18) and who might secretly believe he could evade the consequences God pronounced against sin.

Drawing on this, the apostle suggests that, just as tolerating idolatry in Israel could bring a curse upon the entire nation, so too could a single profane, indulgent sinner emerging in the church corrupt and ultimately ruin many. Thus, every recipient of this epistle is urged to be vigilant for himself and to remain watchful, ensuring that any such tendencies are promptly addressed and appropriate measures implemented to prevent the corruption from spreading further.

The example highlighted in our text is profoundly compelling. It concerns a grandson of Abraham, a son of Isaac and Rebecca, the eldest son, who, by human standards, was the family’s heir, yet became a sinner and is cited as a cautionary example. We are called to be careful lest we sin as he did and perish as he did. We will now examine this matter in greater depth.

I. We will examine the nature of Esau's crime.

II. We will explore the dire consequences of this crime.

III. We will reflect on the diligence required to avoid such a transgression.

IV. We will hear guidance for our protection in this matter.

I. We will analyze the nature of Esau’s offense, and this examination is especially necessary because of the complexity surrounding it.

The story appears in the final part of Genesis 25, starting at verse 29. The core of the narrative is that while Jacob was cooking a kind of stew, Esau returned from the field starving and asked for some from his brother. Jacob replied, "Sell me your birthright now."(Genesis 25:31) We cannot tell why this strange request came to Jacob’s mind, but indeed, he demanded that Esau give up his rights as the firstborn in exchange for the food he wanted.

This demand may have come from Jacob having previously heard his older brother speak of these rights with disrespect, as if they were worth less than a single meal. Maybe it was Esau’s foolish and indefensible comments that he recalled in this moment. Surprisingly, he accepted the deal, and despite its foolish and shameful nature, he seemed to defend it with a crude joke, claiming he was about to die from hunger and that his birthright would be useless to him if he died.

This shows the strength of his uncontrolled temper, for no one could believe that in Isaac’s household, his eldest son, now an adult man, would lack food to stay alive. Such a situation is simply unbelievable, and it is unlikely that it was meant seriously.

This acts as a clear picture of those reckless men who hurry to fulfill their immediate wants, as if they could not survive any wait or refusal. Although it is difficult to defend Jacob’s behavior in seeking such a deal, the guidance of God, in allowing Esau to be trapped by the careless words of his mouth, must be observed and acknowledged.

If Esau privately planned to use his greater strength to take back the birthright or, as he once clearly thought about, to kill his brother and thus forever eliminate his claim, his guilt was accordingly greater, and his loss less worthy of sympathy. From this story, it is clear that three factors formed and increased the seriousness of his offense.

1. He sold his birthright and the advantages linked to it.

The birthright granted three main advantages: a double share of the family estate, some authority over siblings, and the role of performing sacred services, often with a special blessing from the father. Additionally, while in the earliest times every father of a family acted as the priest for household sacrifices, as shown by various passages, it was often natural or necessary for him to pass the active duties of this role to another, and who was more fitting than the eldest son? Accordingly, in the Sinai covenant, young men of the children of Israel offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord, and these young men were the firstborn, as is evident from the later statement that God had taken the Levites for this role in place of the firstborn.(Numbers 3:12) God declares in the 13th verse of Numbers Chapter 3, all the first-born of Israel are mine.(Numbers 3:13) In acknowledgment of God’s special claim to use them in sacred services, a specific price was required, called the price of their redemption.

This practice led to a unique blessing spoken over the firstborn, recognizing his right to these special privileges by the father of the family and entrusting his interests to God’s blessing, particularly with regard to holding primary authority among the other children: "Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother's sons bow down to you, &c."(Genesis 27:29) This was solemnly carried out in the name of the Lord. Such was the case, as we know, with the blessing spoken by Isaac, which both he and Esau assumed was meant for the eldest son.

These were the rights of being the firstborn, as far as we can determine from the earliest scriptural records. It is clear that these rights included elements related to God and religion, such as the privilege of performing solemn services to God and receiving a special blessing in His name. Because Esau sold these rights, he was considered a profane person, and he might have been viewed as both profane and foolish even if he had traded them for a significant price, such as herds of cattle, flocks of sheep, or piles of silver and gold. However, we must further note, as an aggravation of his guilt and folly,

2. Esau sold his birthright for a base and insignificant price. The scripture describes it as “for a single meal.” The term translated as “sold,” ἀπέδετο, can also mean to give away, and it could accurately describe a situation where the birthright was surrendered without any payment. Therefore, a more suitable translation of the clause would be: for one meal he gave away his birthright.

Esau returned hungry from hunting and found a tasty dish of stew. He grabbed it, if the expression is allowed, with the eagerness of one of his hunting dogs. When giving up the birthright, which he likely ridiculed and joked about, he parted with it as carelessly as if it were a small bird or animal he had caught.

For a man, a grown man of at least forty years, to be so driven by desire for something to be quickly eaten, such as a favorite dish of food, and to surrender anything of great value for it, even if far less than his birthright, is completely shameful. This act is noted as one of the most despicable traits imaginable, that a man would commit a wrong or evil deed for such a small reward. Scripture speaks of a dishonest man who shows favoritism, stating, for a piece of bread that man will sin.(Proverbs 28:21) Similarly, for a serving of lentil stew, Esau gave away his birthright, and then,

3. He accompanied the sale with a crude joke: "I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me."(Genesis 25:32) It is unthinkable that any man in Isaac’s household, especially his eldest son, would face the danger of starvation. Nor could a man with enough strength to handle a hunt be at risk of dying from hunger before taking a few more steps. This, therefore, is nothing more than a foolish and ill-timed joke, the kind of jesting that is completely unsuitable when it involves matters of religion.

It seems that Esau was not content to simply devalue his birthright; he felt driven to mock it as well. He mocked it not only through the small and shameful price he set for it but also by the casual and careless way in which he handed it over to his brother. It is gone, and so be it; a man in hunger would not hold on to such a thing. As a result, the scripture immediately states, "thus Esau despised his birthright."(Genesis 25:34) What followed? What caused him to become serious too late? His amusement and laughter were like that of fools, similar to the crackling of thorns under a pot:(Ecclesiastes 7:6) the fire quickly died out, leaving him in darkness and sorrow. Which we are to consider,

II. And consider the dire consequences of this offense. Later, when he tried to receive the blessing, he was denied, finding no chance to change the outcome, even though he sought it desperately with tears: which, as you notice, shows two things. He was rejected when he tried to gain the blessing, and his tears could not change the decision.

1. He was rejected when he tried to receive the blessing. This was a separate issue. It does not seem that Esau realized the blessing came with the birthright, though he could have understood this with some thought. For it would be illogical to think a part of the blessing was given where the birthright was missing, unless we assume the birthright was intentionally handed over, especially the part related to some authority or leadership over the family’s brothers. However, Esau, being reminded of it by his father, wanted to receive the blessing, without carefully thinking about whether, after past events, it was rightfully his. Isaac, to deliver it with greater strength in his declining years, told his son to prepare a small meal of venison, which he might eat before the solemn ceremony. Esau went to hunt and prepare it (for in those warm regions, meat, especially game, is eaten soon after being killed), while Rebecca, in the meantime, created a plan for Jacob to obtain the blessing, which succeeded through an unusual series of events, seemingly not without some special guidance of Providence. It is hard to defend the actions of Jacob or his mother. Yet God allowed a trick and dishonest method to succeed with Isaac, whose abilities had greatly weakened, to punish Esau’s disrespect; and, though Isaac mistook Jacob for Esau during the blessing, when Esau revealed the truth and sought a blessing—either the same or one similar—the request was refused; and the petitioner found his father firmly determined, under, as it seems, some remarkable Divine influence. In addition,

2. Neither the pleas nor the tears of Esau could change what had happened. He found no chance for repentance. He found no possibility for repentance though he sought it, that is, not repentance itself, but a fair chance for it, with tears.

Now a chance for repentance means an opportunity to have a declared judgment reversed, when a person recognizes a foolish choice or wrongful act, and thus asks, as a favor, that past events be ignored. It is the same phrase as that used, "I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality."(Revelation 2:21) Now it is stated that Esau found no such chance for repentance, though he sought it eagerly with tears: sought it with great distress, with deep seriousness, indeed, with a flood of tears, as we clearly read in the account; and truly, one cannot read it without some feeling and concern, though such an unworthy man is involved.

When Esau heard the words of his father, that is, "I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed,"(Genesis 27:33) words which he spoke trembling greatly, he cried with a loud and deeply bitter cry, and said to his father, "Bless me, even me also, O my father!"(Genesis 27:34) And when Isaac explained the impossibility of undoing what had been done, it is stated again, 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."(Genesis 27:38) Whatever the reason—whether he truly valued the blessing, or whether the pride in his heart made him unable to bear being outsmarted again, with such an advantage taken against him as might naturally lead to dangerous outcomes—yet so it was that he was completely serious and deeply worried about the matter.

Yet it was useless, he was rejected in his great request: his father would not change his decision; and though he did express good wishes for him, and did promise him an inheritance, it was not the special blessing. This humbling detail is included, "you shall serve your brother;"(Genesis 27:40) and not a single word is mentioned of that great Abrahamic blessing, which was later intentionally spoken over Jacob when leaving for Paddan-aram, "in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed."(Genesis 22:18) And instead of being thus blessed, Esau was, in a sense, cursed, for his father had said to Jacob, cursed is everyone that curses you; and it is very likely, given the strength of his temperament, that Esau cursed him often; and we can be certain that he did not hesitate, profane as he was, to curse him, when we learn that he deliberately planned to murder him; and took comfort in the thought of committing the fratricide he intended to carry out in cold blood.

It is true, indeed, that we later read that Esau was reconciled, and that after that reconciliation we hear no more of him, except that he helped with his brother at his father’s funeral; and then settled in Mount Seir; where we know that idolatry soon began to spread; though whether in his time or not is not clear. Not one word is ever said of his repentance toward God for the wickedness of his conduct and his heart, though the malice of it seems to have lasted for over twenty years.

And nearly all that the Spirit of God has seen fit to say further of him is that he was a profane person, and that, when he sought to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, which, when considered alongside what we have stated, seems like a sad sign that he lived and died in an unrepentant state. And though what is said of him in the ninth chapter of Romans may or may not mean an absolute rejection with regard to his eternal state, yet it is to be doubted whether a person who had died in a state of acceptance and favor with God would have been chosen as an example of one who was comparatively hated by God; and, as it seems he is in the 17th verse, to whom, though he willed and tried, God did not see fit to show mercy. For if this argument is not entirely conclusive there is certainly enough reason in it to encourage our caution; and accordingly we now consider how,

III. We should earnestly strive to avoid copying the sin and suffering the misery of Esau. The apostle advises that no one should fall into such error. We must vigilantly monitor ourselves and be guided by the powerful example of Isaac’s family, when it was still small, through the case of the eldest and most favored son of that holy patriarch. To be properly warned on this matter, consider the immense value of your spiritual birthright, the clearer and more persuasive way its offers are presented to you, the temptations you will face to surrender its blessings, and the tragic examples around you where these temptations prevail.

1. Think about the great value of your spiritual birthright. When we say spiritual privileges are a birthright, this does not mean that just being born in certain circumstances gives anyone God’s favor or the blessings of eternal happiness. The sons of God, in this way, are not defined by physical birth. However, God has clearly called us to glory and holiness. There is indeed "the prize of the upward call."(Philippians 3:14) Through faith in Christ Jesus, we are all children of God; and, if we truly believe, we inherit the blessings of Abraham, as is clearly stated, "those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."(Galatians 3:9)

If we are Christians, then we are "Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise."(Galatians 3:29) Heirs of what? Of a pleasant land, of some external honor and privileges, of such rights as elder brothers held? These seem minor, no matter how highly elevated, when compared with what the gospel teaches every one of us to expect, even we who are now taught to view ourselves as a kind of first fruits of God’s creatures!(James 1:18)

We are appointed kings and priests to God, even the Father.(Revelation 1:6) Destined not only for an inheritance, but for a kingdom, where his servants will serve him, and where they will see his face. We come not to a temporary crown, but to "the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven,"(Hebrews 12:23) as the apostle explains in the following verses. Had Esau kept the privileges of the firstborn, they would have lasted only briefly; and then Eliphaz, and Teman, and Omar, and Zepho would in their turns have held and lost them, until at last the succession itself became uncertain and faded away. But the inheritance you are taught to expect is "an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,"(1 Peter 1:4) in the heavenly Canaan, in the new Jerusalem, where you will reign in life, where you will serve before the Lord with tireless, everlasting strength, and be declared by Christ the blessed of his Father, inheriting the kingdom prepared for you before the foundation of the world.(Matthew 25:34) And will you, under any circumstances, abandon this hope? Consider,

2. The clear and persuasive way these offers are presented to you. The Jewish people, formed into a nation through Moses’ leadership, clearly had advantages far greater than those Esau ever knew. Though we believe he received a religious upbringing from Isaac and Rebekah, he did not witness such powerful displays of God’s voice and presence, his holiness and goodness, as Israel did when freed from Egypt and the Red Sea, and when brought to rest at God’s feet at Mount Sinai. Yet the way the apostle urges Christians, in the words immediately following our text, far surpasses this. You have not come to that physical mountain burning with fire, nor to darkness, gloom, and a storm,(Hebrews 12:18) but have God speaking to you in kinder tones through his gospel; and "how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?"(Hebrews 2:3) If we let ourselves be distracted by the minor concerns of earthly life, when God has done so much to lift our minds to a higher level, and has for this purpose so kindly spoken to us through his Son.

3. Think about the many temptations you must expect that will push you to give up your spiritual birthright. You are surrounded by appealing things that naturally pull your mind away from God and spiritual matters. Temptations suited to every sense, designed for all situations and stages of life. You may be trapped by overindulgence and drunkenness, crude traps indeed for Christians, yet ones Christ found necessary to warn his disciples about, and would to God that all Christ’s disciples had overcome them. But, if you have too much integrity to be led astray by such temptations, there are other traps that target different desires and appetites. There are promises of wealth to attract the greedy, dreams of honor and success to capture the ambitious, and praise, often misguided, to seize a vain spirit, leading it perhaps to what is truly shameful though widely celebrated.

Your children and friends have interests that may sometimes trap you, even more than those that seem more directly your own. You have evil adversaries who will study your personality and situation, working to present the most tempting lures at the most critical moments, seeking to ensnare you if possible; and, would to God there were not reason to add that sometimes, as in Esau’s case, even brothers undermine one another, though they are unlikely to gain from the birthright they take; yet so it is, that misguided beliefs and principles sometimes prevail even among those one would hope to be good men, and, in some cases, the light within them is darkness;(Matthew 6:23) they adopt mistaken ideas about religion themselves and, in their sincerity, try to spread them; sometimes the name of Christ, and sometimes the name of virtue, are used, with a success no other name could achieve, to draw men away from both; and, likely, if from either, then in reality from both. And we ought to be very careful about them, lest perhaps any root of bitterness arises, and many become corrupted.(Hebrews 12:15) And to illustrate and enforce the caution, consider,

4. The many tragic examples that show how these temptations succeed. Have we not heard of such cases throughout history? Even in the apostles’ time, were there not those who gave up their birthright, stopped gathering together, became "hardened by the deceitfulness of sin,"(Hebrews 3:13) "made shipwreck of their faith"(1 Timothy 1:19) and clear conscience: some drawn to this corrupt world,(2 Timothy 3:10) some chasing strange delusions,(2 Thessalonians 2:11) some seeking prominence, some following the path of Cain, and eagerly pursuing the error of Balaam for profit, and perishing in the rebellion of Korah?(Jude 11) All these, you know, are scriptural phrases describing events of those early days; and have we not heard of later cases, and seen many in our own time?

Have we not witnessed many who once boldly declared their faith, but have since lost it? They seem to have traded their spiritual privileges and hopes—for what? Some for a literal bite of food, or a cup of wine, some in adultery, some for a position, some for a reputation, some for the approval of another person, and some literally for a song or a joke, for the amusement of shallow company, where hardly a word of reason, let alone religion, can be heard.

And, how many young people, who once started well, have been ruined by these things: have been lured into early and obvious destruction in this world; and as for the next, only God can judge! Some of them have sought a chance for repentance with tears, some have died in regret, pleading for the prayers of their friends; with what result, God alone knows. We must not limit his mercy: but who would, in their right mind, take their risk; nor would it be wise to test what a few deathbed tears and the name of Christ, called upon as life fades, can achieve for a person's salvation, when their life has been spent in a pattern of sin and foolishness.

But there have been others, many others, who, after trading their birthright like Esau, have not, like Esau, even raised their voice to weep, but have died unrepentant. Having spent their final years seemingly dismissive of religion, and mocking the people and principles they once held in serious regard, some of them have lived joyfully and carelessly, with foolishness and madness in their hearts while they lived; and after that, as Solomon says, they have gone down to the dead; and then they have realized the value of the inheritance they lost, and of the blessings they scorned and forfeited.

And if any believe that, by imitating Esau’s character, they will fare better, hear God's solemn response in his own words: "The Lord will single him out from all the tribes of Israel for calamity."(Deuteronomy 29:21) And now let the most irreverent sinner depart and mock them, and see whose words will stand, God’s or his. I imagine you say, God forbid; and I echo, God forbid that this should befall any of us; and to prevent it, let us hear a few, brief, words of advice under the fourth point.

IV. Let us frequently think about the great value of the privileges to which we are called, and may God grants that the eyes of your hearts may be opened, "that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you."(Ephesians 1:18) Let us guard ourselves against what might deceive us, and especially practice self-control, striving to manage the forces of appetite, imagination, and passion, and take care lest they overwhelm us as they did this unfortunate man. Keep firm control over them, for their outbursts are sometimes sudden, and that suddenness is what causes the fall.

Often reflect on the complete despair of those entirely rejected by God, finding no chance for repentance. Our Lord describes their place of dwelling as the very home of sorrow and pain: "There," says he, "will be weeping and gnashing of teeth;"(Luke 13:28) and remember that our Lord applies this warning specifically to those, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, and so forth, "when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out."(Luke 13:28) Oh, it will be a deeply bitter cry indeed! We will hear it. May God grant that none of us join in it; and to prevent this, here is one final word to add,

That we should remember all our hopes of gaining the birthright and the blessing depend on the mercy of God, and the grace and righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is so crucial a warning that it must be emphasized. Through the broken law of God, we have brought ourselves under a curse; if we ever receive the blessing, it must be in a name greater than our own; and there exists a prideful way of seeking it, which will itself be enough to lose it. This path Israel after the flesh followed, and they are as far from God as the descendants of Esau themselves. As the apostle clearly states, "that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone:"(Romans 9:31-32) and, "being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness."(Romans 10:3)

Let us, therefore, look to Christ, who is "the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes,"(Romans 10:4) so that we are made acceptable in the beloved; and instead of crying for a blessing in vain, will receive the fulfillment of that promise which we will close with, and which I earnestly pray God may confirm and fulfill for each of us.

"Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am;"(Isaiah 58:9) and the Lord shall command a blessing upon you from Zion, even life everlasting.(Leviticus 25:21, Psalm 133:3)