The Character Flaw Of Esau

When we study various Bible characters, we quickly see their character flaws, similar to the flaws in character that men and women have today. As we study the character of Esau, we learn about a character flaw that is warned against and not to be emulated. The Hebrew writer tells us that Esau was a "profane person" (Hebrews 12:16). When we read the story of Jacob and Esau, there is much to cause us to admire Esau more than Jacob (Genesis 25:24-34; Genesis 27:1-42).

Esau was a loving son, who had a strong bond with his father, Isaac. He loved the outdoors and was a "cunning" hunter, gratifying his father's preferred taste for venison (Genesis 25:27-28). Conversely, Jacob was a "mama's boy" who was conniving and deceitful. He took advantage of his brother's weakness in order to bargain for his own advantage.

God made a choice of Jacob over his elder brother, Esau, not for individual salvation, but for ancestral lineage (Romans 9:8-13; cf. Matthew 1:1-2). The one character flaw that providentially accomplished the lineage coming through Jacob, was Esau's profaneness regarding his birthright (Hebrews 12:16-17). The birthright entailed rank and authority over the other children in the family (Genesis 27:26-29; Genesis 49:3). It meant that the firstborn received a "double portion" of the paternal inheritance (Deuteronomy 21:17; cf. 1 Chronicles 5:1). In Esau's case, it would have brought the bestowed honor of being in the patriarchal lineage of Abraham, bringing with it national promises (Genesis 12:1-3; Gal. 3:13-14).

But, Esau despised his birthright (Genesis 25:34), by holding it in low esteem. That is illustrated in his selling it for a mess of pottage (Genesis 25:29-34). He held what should have been holy as "common" (cf. Hebrews 10:29 NLT).  This is why he is called "profane." If he had placed the proper spiritual value on his progenitor rights, he would never have sold them, especially for meager morsels of food. In fact, the value he placed upon his birthright is evidence in the price for which he sold it. He was a worldly-minded individual, totally caught up in the day-to-day affairs of life — a man without inner depth or outlook for the future.

By example, Esau teaches us that we should learn to curb any strong physical appetites by reason and conscience. These can only be properly acquired through a study and application of God's word (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV; cf. 2 Corinthians 13:5).  We should always be mindful of the proper relation between the temporary and the eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). And we should learn to keep worldly things subordinate to spiritual things (Colossians 3:1-2; Matthew 6:19-20; 1 Timothy 6:17-19).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets