PASTOR'S SERMONS

THE SAD CASE OF ESAU
TEXT: Hebrews 12:14-17
September 4, 2011
READING: Obadiah 1-21

SUBJ: The life of Esau and the contrast it bears to the position of Christ as the firstborn and the issue of true repentance. 

AIM: That we might heed the warning found in this context to and especially in verse 14.

INTR: The New Testament mention of Esau has raised many questions and has brought on much controversy and especially as it is mentioned in this text and in Romans 9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
1. We consider first the setting of this passage and note that it involves the personal exhortation of follow the example of Christ, to know that chastening is an act of love on the part of the Lord and that we are directed to pursue holiness.
2. That the mention of Esau here is not to raise a theological question about repentance but to give us an example of that fearful condition of Esau. Note a reference to examples and leaders.
3. That we are challenged to seek a right definition and approach to repentance.

THESIS: It behooves us to examine the nature of error, but more importantly we are urged to find the very opposite and that which is accepted in Christ our Lord.

I. The character of Esau (v. 16)
1. A fornicator – self explanatory
1) He took wives of the heathen and idolaters in defiance of his parents
2) The picture here is of spiritual fornication in despising the principles of God.
2. A profane person – unhallowed
1) Consider 1 Timothy 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers…
2) Self willed (perhaps after the example of his father)
3) Self involved to say the least.

II. The serious nature of the act of Esau (Genesis 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.)
1. The significance of the birthright
1) Family headship
2) Family priest
3) Spiritual guide in the stead of the father.
4) The matter of inheritance and blessing in accordance with the covenant
2. Why was it so important?
1) Divinely instituted with a prophetic vision
2) A type of something greater to come.
3. Consider the role of Christ as the “Firstborn of the Father!” – Firstborn among many brethren, firstborn from the dead, and see also the importance of this reference throughout – mentioned 117 times.
1) The blessing to Jacob: Genesis 27:28-29 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: 29 Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.
2) We note that Isaac was either deluded or in the dark as to the providential determinations of God as we note the prophecy given to Rebecca.
3) But the birthright had been despised and the blessing on Esau was not to be.

III. The repentance of Esau – Genesis 27:38-40 And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept. 39 And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above; 40 And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck.
1. Esau never repented of his great sin against God (he rather blamed Jacob)
2. Esau fell under the scrutiny of God as did all offenders (Psalms 5:5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.)
1) Esau found no place or way to change the mind of Isaac
2) Nor shall any find a way to change the mind of God!
3. The birthright blessing is Christ’s and He is Prophet Priest and King over the whole family of God. These He claimed with the full confirmation of the Father when He rose from the dead. --There are many who would take this away and would overthrow His rule
4. This tells us then of the nature of Esau’s sin, his lack of repentance and the reason of God’s hatred. It was not that God would not let him repent, he did not attempt to repent in the sense that one does as he follows after peace and the holiness of God.
5. As an after note, the reference in Romans 9 is a quote from Malachi 1:2-3 2 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, 3 And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. The descendants of Esau were eventually destroyed.