“ Esau, the Hebrews, and Us” Our text this morning is Hebrews 12:14-17: “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by it many be defiled; That there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.” Let us then consider,

Esau, the Hebrews, and Us, Hebrews 12:14-17 Esau The Particulars Had a “root of bitterness”, v.15b It caused trouble and defilement for many, v.15c Was immoral, v.16 And godless, v.16 Sold birthright for instant gratification, v.16 Consequences proved unalterable, v.17 His trouble began at birth, Gen25:24-26 (“Jacob” means one who supplants) Esau made a choice based on instant physical gratification instead of future spiritual inheritance, Gen.25:27-34 Esau was very bitter after Jacob deceived Isaac into blessing him instead of Esau, Gen.27:1-29,41 The only blessing left for Esau was a curse, Gen.27:30-40 The “birthright” belonged to the eldest son, and entitled him to a double portion of the inheritance. In this case, it also included a spiritual inheritance through the lineage of Abraham which would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ, Gen.12:1-3 > Luke 3:34. He continued to make choices on the same basis by marrying Canaanite women, which greatly displeased Isaac and Rebekah, Gen.26:34-35; 27:46

Esau, the Hebrews, and Us, Hebrews 12:14-17 Esau The Hebrews The Particulars Had a “root of bitterness”, v.15b It caused trouble and defilement for many, v.15c Was immoral, v.16 And godless, v.16 Sold birthright for instant gratification, v.16 Consequences proved unalterable, v.17 The Particulars Bitter to Gentiles, Acts 13:42-50 Caused trouble and defilement, Acts 14:1-6 > 19; 15:1,5 Became immoral & godless, Acts 17:1-9; 18:5-6,13; 23:12 Sold birthright for instant gratification, Rom.3:1-2 >11:11-21 Impossible to renew to repentance, Heb.6:4-6 This root of bitterness went way back, Eph.2:11-13 They defiled themselves and many others, Titus 1:10-16 They hired wicked men, charged falsely, blasphemed, lied, and attempted murder! They sold spiritual inheritance for physical position, John 11:48; 6:14-15,26,41-42,52,66. As long as one rejects / crucifies the Savior, 2Cor.13:12-16

Esau, the Hebrews, and Us, Hebrews 12:14-17 Esau The Hebrews The Particulars Had a “root of bitterness”, v.15b It caused trouble and defilement for many, v.15c Was immoral, v.16 And godless, v.16 Sold birthright for instant gratification, v.16 Consequences proved unalterable, v.17 The Particulars Bitter to Gentiles, Acts 13:42-50 Caused trouble and defilement, Acts 14:1-6 > 19; 15:1,5 Became immoral & godless, Acts 17:1-9; 18:5-6,13; 23:12 Sold birthright for instant gratification, Rom.3:1-2 >11:11-21 Impossible to renew to repentance, Heb.6:4-6 Us- Heb.12:14-17 Applications for Us Pursue peace with all men, v.14a See that no one comes short of grace, vv.15a Pursue sanctification and holiness, v.14b Don’t trade spiritual heritage for temporal gratification, 11:39ff Repentance is not always available to us, v.17 We cannot maintain a proper relationship with God without maintaining proper relations with others, 1John 4: How? Back up to vv for a start, then include the rest of vv.15b-16. The pursuit of peace enables a proper relationship with men, sanctification and holiness enable a proper relationship with God! 1Thess.4:7 As seen with Esau and Israel, this is always a poor trade! 1Pet.1:3-4  Some choices have irrevocable consequences- just like Esau’s birthright. Prov.4:23  Our lives can become so ingrained in sin that even a remorseful heart may not be able to bring about the change of action/path necessary, 2Cor.7:10.  Finally, our hearts can become so seared as to be past feeling, 1Tim.4:2. There is no objective noun in the original- so brethren or all men? Certainly includes brethren, as per Hebrew/Gentile relations in the Church, Rom.12:9-16; but should also include all men, Rom.12:17-21.

“ Esau, the Hebrews, and Us” That is our lesson from Hebrews 12:14-17: “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by it many be defiled; That there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.” It was certainly meant for the Hebrews first, but as we’ve seen, also has several applications for us!