Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.
Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.
Hebrews 12:14-17
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In the twelfth chapter of Hebrews, the Holy Spirit offers an important and chilling thought for anyone with breath. I doubt we consider its ramifications enough.
“Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.”
The story is being told about Esau specifically, who sold his spiritual inheritance rights to Jacob for a single meal. But the ramifications of it are chilling for each of us.
In a moment of weakness, Esau traded the great and eternal blessing offered to him by God for something of this world.
And as the writer reminds us, when Esau later regretted that decision, the damage had already been done. The blessing had been taken away. And even though he repented with tears, he could not change what had been done.
The reality, that trading the things of God for the things of this world, cannot be undone holds two applications:
First, in regard to the life direction that we choose. Those who reject God during their life, when they reach the end, will be rejected by Him. Though they see God after death and repent with tears, they will not be able to change what was done in the body for it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.
Second, and equally significant for those who seek to follow Christ, we should notice that Esau’s trade was for a single bowl of soup. His rejection of God’s promise and blessing happened in just one moment where he chose something worldly rather than spiritual.
It was a quick decision, but the result was losing a blessing he could never again receive.
We are faced every day with decisions to choose the things of God or the things of this world. In many circumstances, those decisions cannot be undone. Once they are chosen, they are chosen. And if we choose incorrectly, we miss the greatest blessings of God in our life.
When we choose to build up our personal wealth rather than support missions around the world, we reject a blessing from God that cannot be undone.
When we choose to spend money on a vacation rather than tithe, we reject a blessing from God that cannot be undone.
When we choose to buy more stuff we don’t need rather than aid the poor, we reject a blessing from God that cannot be undone.
When we choose to spend time entertained by the world rather than in communion with God, we reject a blessing from God that cannot be undone.
Each time we choose ungodliness with our actions rather than righteousness, we reject a blessing from God that cannot be undone.
Every day, in countless ways, we face the same decision that Esau encountered. Will we choose the things of this world or the things of God?
Take this warning from the Holy Spirit deep into your decision-making process. Though we may desire to take hold of the blessing we rejected, even with tears, we cannot change what was done.
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Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for your Son and His sacrifice on the cross that I can know you and follow you and serve you. Help me, in all things and at all times, to choose you and your blessing over the things of this world. Amen.