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"A profane person like Esau..."

Text: Hebrews 12:16

THE HISTORICAL EXAMPLE OF ESAU

Esau was held out as an example of one who fell short of the grace of God.

“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.”
Hebrews 12:16-17

1. Like Esau

a) He was held out as an example of one who had fallen short of the grace of God.

b) Specific reference to Esau’s selling of his birthright is meant to be illustrative.

2. Sold his birthright

a) Esau had failed to appreciate the significance of his birthright (“firstborn”).

i) He stood to inherit a special blessing.

ii) With the birthright of the firstborn came the right to become head of the clan.

b) He had taken his birthright too much for granted and he sold his birthright for a miserable “morsel of food”.

3. He was rejected

i) The birthright once sold could not be redeemed.

ii) He could not come to his inheritance as the firstborn.

4. Though he sought it diligently with tears

i) Esau regretted his action of selling his birthright.

ii) He wept bitter tears before his father.

iii) But no matter how much diligence he exercised he had fallen short of the grace and the blessings that attended the firstborn son.