The birthright which Esau despised and sold for a morsel of meat (Hebrews 12:16) was not the natural inheritance of his father but, all of the promises of God in the coming redeemer. To him, it was just spiritual folklore and superstitious tradition. While the concept of such things may have a moral good and offer some future comfort to the dying, he could not see their immediate value. (Genesis 25:32) He saw more value in a bowl of red stew than he did in the gospel of Gods’ covenant redeemer. There are two things here that were true of Esau and are true of all those who hear the gospel and laugh it to scorn.

    First, is that the birthright was his. All he had to do was receive it. He had no work to be done and no price to pay. It was his to embrace, rejoice in, and be thankful for. So it is when the gospel is preached. “—the Spirit and the bride say, come. And let him that heareth say, come. And let him that is athirst, come. And whosever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17) But having heard the gospel they trade it off, like an unwanted piece of furniture, for whatever present need or want they have.

    The second thing that I see in Esau ,and all those like him , is that the birthright was never theirs. By divine decree, through an eternal election of grace, God gave the birthright to Jacob (Romans 9:10-13) In these two sons of Isaac, God will establish forever the purpose of God according to election. It is established as to the author of it, the way of it, and the objects of it. “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of Go that sheweth mercy." (Romans 9:16)

    As best I can, I preach to all who will give me a hearing. I do my best to set before them the full free gospel of Gods’ sovereign grace in Christ. But, the hope that sustains me is Gods’ eternal purpose to save a people for the glory of his name. “all that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37)