3. "The birthright involved preeminence and authority (Gen. 27:29; 49:3). Another right was that of a double portion (Deut. 21:17; 1 Chron. 5:1-2). Connected with the birthright was the progenitorship of the Messiah." (Vine) "The birthright seems to have implied the first place or rank in the family; the privilege of offering sacrifice and conducting worship in the absence or death of the father; a double share of the inheritance; and in this instance the honor of being in the line of the patriarchs, and transmitting the promises made to Abraham and Isaac." (Barnes)

4. Despise = "to despise, hold in contempt, disdain; to be worthless" (Strong) "Connected with the birthright was the progenitorship of the Messiah. Esau transferred his birthright to Jacob for a paltry mess of pottage, profanely despising this last spiritual privilege." (Vine) Esau's "character led him to sell his inheritance rights as the oldest son for the temporary gratification of a single meal." The Bible Knowledge Commentary "Esau did not regard his birthright as sacred, but as something to be sold in order to supply a common need." Vincent

5. Profane  "unhallowed, ungodly" (Strong)  "Certain persons (Heb. 12:16; 1 Tim. 1:9) are profane, i.e., far from God in their immorality and irreligion. As in Judaism, Esau typifies such people." Kittel

6. Godliness is not defined by heritage but, rather, the choices we make.  Esau was the grandson of Abraham, the father of the faithful (Rom. 4:16).  Esau’s father was a man of great faith (Gen. 25:21, Mt. 8:11).  “lest there be any fornicator or profane (godless, NKJV footnote) person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.” Heb. 12:16  How would the scriptures define us?

7. God is not pleased when we treat matters of spiritual significance as common.  Esau’s birthright had spiritual significance and it should have been important.  "Connected with the birthright was the progenitorship of the Messiah. Esau transferred his birthright to Jacob for a paltry mess of pottage, profanely despising this last spiritual privilege." (Vine)  “lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.” Heb. 12:16

8. God is not pleased when we treat matters of spiritual significance as common.  Esau’s birthright had spiritual significance and it should have been important.  Esau despised his birth right and his actions show he counted it as worthless (Gen. 25:24)  Despise = "to despise, hold in contempt, disdain; to be worthless" (Strong)

9. God is not pleased when we treat matters of spiritual significance as common.  What do we value or view as common?  Worship? (Heb. 10:25)  Spending time with family/children focused on spiritual things? (Eph. 6:4  Prayer (1 Thess. 5:17) and personal study time (2 Tim. 2:15)?  Encouraging and helping brethren in time of need (Gal. 5:13)?

10. Sometimes we must live with the consequences of our decisions.  “lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.” Heb 12:16,17  Does not mean Esau could not repent.  Does not mean he did not have time to repent.  It means Esau could not change the consequences of his actions.

11. Sometimes we must live with the consequences of our decisions.  We cannot always change the things we have done (Eccl. 1:15).  Sometimes we must accept reality, do what we can to correct it, and focus on the future (Php. 3:13)  We need to work hard to avoid sin and its unavoidable consequences (1 Peter 4:15, 16).

12. Be careful knowing Godliness is not defined by heritage but, rather, the choices we make. Develop a mind that values the things of God knowing that God is not pleased when we treat spiritual things as common or worthless. Sometimes we must live with the consequences of our decisions; thus, it is best to avoid sin all together; When we sin, do what we can to make correction and move on.