“And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:” (Gen. 27:11)
I would ask you to contemplate this, was Esau born a hairy man solely for the reason so that when it came time for Jacob to deceive his father for the blessing, that all that was necessary was for him to put the skin of an animal on his hands to deceive his father? But I ask an even more pertinent question here, would it have mattered which son Isaac gave the blessing to?
“That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;” (Gen. 22:17)
The Almighty had spoken years earlier his plans to Rebekah. “And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” (Gen. 25:23)
So did it matter who received the greater blessing, did it make any difference that Esau sold his birthright for a simple meal that day he was hungry?
The tradition of the day was that the eldest son received the largest part of the inheritance of the father, but Isaac and Rebekah had been specifically told by the Lord that in the case of these two sons that this would not be the case. Did they not inform their sons of this truth as they were growing up, did they forget, or did they deny these truths in favor of traditions?
My friends when the Almighty speaks, we should listen, listen intently, and then obey.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” (1st Sam. 15:22)
Esau sought for the blessing with many tears, those tears turned to anger and then to plans of murder. He may have been born first, but he would never attain to that position, the birthright, the tradition, not even the love of his father who loved him above Jacob could alter the plans of the Most High.
This is why I asked you to contemplate the reason that Esau was born a hairy man, if you are indeed born-again, if you are truly a servant of the Living God, do you honestly believe that you can alter His plans for your life?
“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” (John 15:15)
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:17)
If He has called you His friend, that does not change this fact, even being heirs to the Kingdom of God does not change it, we are and always will be servants of the Lord our God, and it is His will that we will serve throughout all eternity.
Now I must ask you this, does that alter your perception of Heaven? Do you think more on those pleasures forevermore than on the tasks that will be set before you throughout an eternity of service, have your own desires, your imaginations of that which the heart cannot imagine of our eternal home overridden this one truth, that for all of time we will be servants to Him who sits on the throne of eternity?
There was absolutely nothing that Esau, Jacob or Rebekah could do, selling his birthright, deceiving his father, who the blessing would be given to, God had spoken, and it would come to pass.
If you have accepted your place in His will, you understand and welcome whatever He brings into your life, if not, if you question with grumblings, if those times you ask “why” are asked in rebellion, if you refuse to serve, to obey in love for His glory, then all the sacrifices you offer will prove to you only one thing, that you are not a servant after all.
“For there is no respect of persons with God.” (Romans 2:11)
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Rev. 4:11)
Esau sought it with tears, and it availed him nothing.
Accept your place, pray to be a profitable servant, one who serves willingly for His glory.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jer. 29:11)
