Esau’s descendants, the Edomites(also called Idumeans), never got along with Jacob’s descendants, the Israelites. Edom regularly opposed and fought against Israel. A big part of the problem was that the Edomites were pagans and the Israelites followed God. The prophets Jeremiah and Obadiah said God would “bring disaster on Esau” (
Jeremiah 49:8) and that the Edomites would be eventually destroyed (
Obadiah 1:18).
The writer of Hebrews uses Esau as a negative example of godlessness: “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 12:16–17). This passage also shows how our actions have consequences, and sometimes those consequences are permanent, even after we have seen the folly of our ways.
The fact that Esau was the older brother, yet Jacob received the birthright, carries theological significance. Esau’s mother had been told before she gave birth to twins that “the older will serve the younger” (
Genesis 25:23). So God’s choice—His election—was at work before either of the twins had done anything, good or bad. Paul uses this story to show that we are saved “not by works but by him who calls” (
Romans 9:12). God’s sovereignty and election cannot be thwarted: “Just as it is written: ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’ . . . It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy” (verses 13 and 16, cf.
Malachi 1:2–3).got?
Hebrews 12:16
Lest there
be any fornicator, or
profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. KJV
that there be no immoral or
godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. NASB
that no one is sexually immoral or
unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. ESV
Or lest a man be found among you as a fornicator, or
debauched, like Esau, who for one meal sold his birthright. Aramaic
You be the judge !
hope this helps !!!