1. Profane Esau Hebrews 12:14-17

2. Context ► Pursue sanctification  Cannot see God without it (vv. 14, 15)  Notice it must be pursued ► Avoid defilement  Brings rejection (vv. 16, 17)  Can escape from it (2 Peter 2:20)  Seek forgiveness when we are defiled

3. Definitions ► English  “To violate or treat with irreverence or contempt (something regarded as sacred), to desecrate.” (Webster)  In other words, to profane is to take something sacred and fail to respect it

4. Definitions ► Greek  From bebelos and means “unhallowed, profane (opposite to hieros, sacred), and is used of persons (1 Timothy 1:9; Hebrews 12:16); things (1 Timothy 4:7; 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:16), and that ‘the natural antagonism between the profane and the holy grew into a moral antagonism... accordingly that

5. Definitions ► Greek (continued)  “bebelos is that which lacks all relationship or affinity to God (Cremer)’” (Vine’s Dictionary)  It is not just foul language, swearing, or cursing, but is an attitude of indifference and/or contempt for what is sacred

6. Background ► Began with Abraham  God’s promise (Genesis 12:1-3)  Repeated to Isaac (Genesis 25:21-23; 26:3-5) ► Interesting aspect of the twins  Conflict before birth (Genesis 25:22)  Choice before birth (Romans 9:10-13)

7. Despised His Birthright ► Significance of the birthright  Headship of the family (Genesis 27:29)  Double portion of the estate (Deuteronomy 21:15-17) ► Something special in this case  Being in the patriarchal line  Influenced by Rebekah’s favoritism?

8. Despised His Birthright ► Applications  Don’t sell our “birthright” (Hebrews 12:16)  One can fail to receive a blessing

9. Why Did It Happen? ► Acted impulsively  Didn’t think of consequences (Genesis 28:8, 9)  Like Lot (Genesis 13:12, 13)  Often repeated by us in choosing a job, friends, a mate, etc.

10. Why Did It Happen? ► Sacrificed the future for the present  Think only of today (1 Corinthians 15:32-34)  Gave up his future due to hunger  Remember our purpose (Ecclesiastes 12:13; 1 Peter 1:9)

11. Why Did It Happen? ► Placed the flesh ahead of the spiritual  Not wrong to be hungry  Must control fleshly appetites (1 Corinthians 6:12, 13)  Know what is important (Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 11:24-26)

12. Why Did It Happen? ► Forsook what is good to avoid pain  Job’s wife (Job 2:9)  Tested like Abraham (Genesis 22:1-14)  Will we pass the test? (Hebrews 12:5-11; James 1:2-4)

13. Why Did It Happen? ► Are we like Esau?  Have forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:7-9)  Privilege of prayer (James 5:15, 16; 1 Peter 3:12)  Don’t sell out for a bowl of pottage (Hebrews 6:18, 19)

14. Conclusion ► Are you a Christian? ► Have you sold your “birthright’?