The Peril of Secularism

MEMORY VERSE: “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.” —Hebrews 12:15,16

GENESIS 25:21-23, 27-34

ESAU was the eldest son of Isaac, and a twin brother of Jacob. The unusual appearance of the child at his birth originated the name. (Gen. 25:25) Esau was a thorough “son of the desert” who delighted to roam free, and apparently was impatient with the restraints of civilized or settled life. He married his cousin Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael, who was the son of Abraham by his Egyptian maid Hagar. Thus Ishmael and Esau can be looked upon as the progenitors of the Arab races.

Esau’s mother, Rebecca, like Sarah, the mother of Isaac, was barren until the Lord interceded, and when he did she gave birth to twins. But before Esau’s birth the Lord said to Rebecca, “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.”

Our memory verse speaks of Esau as a “profane person.” The record of his life is that he was always more interested in material and temporal good things than in the promises of God pertaining to the future blessing of the world through the seed of Abraham. This explains why he was willing to sell his birthright to his brother Jacob simply to satisfy his temporary hunger.

Jacob, on the other hand, was a man of faith in God, and he had a great esteem for the promises of God; so when the opportunity arose, he was quick to take advantage of it to obtain the birthright.

Biblical historians often miss the real point when writing about Esau and Jacob. For example, Smith’s Bible Dictionary, commenting on the transaction of Esau’s selling the birthright, says, “An event occurred which exhibited the reckless character of Esau on the one hand, and the selfish, grasping nature of his brother on the other. There is something revolting in this whole transaction.”

What this writer failed to take into consideration is the fact that God’s overruling providences were directing in connection with Jacob and Esau. Paul’s inspired observation reads quite differently. We quote: “When Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (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;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” (Mal. 1:2,3) Paul continues, “What shall we say, then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.”—Rom. 9:10-14

The Greek word translated “hated” in describing God’s attitude toward Esau is defined by Professor Strong as “detested,” and “by extends to love less.” It is clear that God specially favored Jacob as the one who should have the birthright, and that he did not appreciate the wild ways of Esau. Jacob, on the other hand, who was favored by his mother, no doubt learned from her of the prophecy concerning him which was given by the Lord before the twins were born, and he would be shaping his affairs, his life, in keeping therewith.

Esau was also given the name “Edom,” and the Edomites were his descendants, that great nation which the Lord said he would raise up unto him. A prophecy in which the “remnant of Edom” is mentioned is of interest. We quote, “In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof: and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the Lord that doeth this.”—Amos 9:11,12

Isaiah 16:5 reads, “In mercy shall the throne be established: and he [the Messiah] shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.” Gabriel said to Mary concerning Jesus, her son to-be, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.”—Luke 1:32,33

QUESTIONS

How did God overrule in connection with the birth of Jacob and Esau?

Who is the real ruler over the house of Jacob?

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