See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Hebrews 12:16
Esau is the best biblical picture of how a person who has set their minds on the things of the flesh can lose their promise. The bible contrasts his life with that of Jacob in great detail and highlight’s the fact that Jacob although he was deceptive, was willing to pay any cost to get, protect and maintain the promise that God had given to Isaac through Abraham. In his moment of weakness Esau gave away his birthright, in exchange of bread, the bible records
Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom. Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright. Genesis 25:32-34
Jesus and the children of Israel also experienced the ‘bread test’ that cost the Children of Israel their promise. What Esau’s life teaches us, is that he did not value the promise of God the bible says he despised it, on the other hand Jacob was willing to pay the ultimate price to inherit the promise i.e. separation from his family and starting His life afresh.
I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan Genesis 32:10
Jacob left his father’s home just like his grandfather Abraham, empty handed. The contrast between Esau and Jacob is further highlighted by the choice of who they married, their grandfather had identified the kind of women his children should marry
.. that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, but will go to my country and my own relatives Genesis 24:2-4
Esau married a Hittite who was from the Canaanite tribe, his choices did not reflect a desire to remain blameless in order to maintain the promise, it also was a direct contradiction of His grandfather’s values. God had assured Abraham that as long as his children followed His ways the promise would remain in their family line
For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him. Genesis 18:19
Jacob saw spiritually into the future by faith (set his mind in the things of the spirit) the potential the promise had to change his life and accepted to pay the price.
For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:6-8
Esau problem is that his mind was set on the things of the flesh, whilst to enter into promise you have to give priority to the things of the Spirit. This theme repeated itself when the children of Israel complained and murmured about the things of the flesh i.e. food, water and comfort in the wilderness.
The New Testament
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Jesus set his mind on the things of the spirit, the promise that he would one day sit down at the right hand of the throne of God. This promise enabled him to endure the cross, to deny himself and remain blameless in His generation.
Just like Jacob followed in the footsteps of his grandfather we are told to fix our eyes on Jesus by emulating His life. If we focus on the promises that God has given us by faith we are able to leave a righteous and blameless life, because we know that He who promised is faithful and will finish what He started
When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants. And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. Hebrews 6:14-18
Our motivation to deny ourselves and follow Jesus can only come when we are assured by faith of God’s promises
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24
Blessings or Curses 