The Rights of Primogeniture

ERICH SAUER

THE LOSS OF THE FIRSTBORN

CHITWOOD

FIRSTBORN CHILDREN
G. H. LANG

ESAU AND THE BIRTHRIGHT

ROBERT GOVETT

The total or partial reproduction of this book is prohibited

without the author's written permission.
 Chapter 1
Wasted Privileges

Follow peace with all and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
taking care that no one falls short, separating from grace of
God; let there be no root of bitterness that, springing up, troubles you, and,
in the midst of her, many may be contaminated; nor may there be any unclean or profane,
like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright.
primogeniture. Because you also know that, later wanting to inherit
the blessing was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, although,
with tears or he would have sought it" (Heb 12:16,17).

The position granted in the salvation of the New is truly elevated.

Will; yet, although it is profound, it can lead to ruin. Therefore,
In every healthy Christian life, seriousness must be added to joy and gratitude.
responsibility, to trust the care. For this reason, there are so many
warnings in Hebrews and one of the most impressive is the one that
refers to Esau (Hb 12:16,17), the firstborn of Isaac. The writer of this letter
draws the readers' attention to the privileges, responsibilities, and dangers,
referring to the conduct of Esau and its results.

The first readers of Hebrews were well aware of what the

privileges of the firstborn son because they were Jews by birth. The term
is used in the New Testament as a figure of the high position of honor of the
members of the Church of Christ. In the context of Hebrews 12, the full possession and the
enjoying the celestial privilege of the firstborn is equivalent to the prize of
winner in the race, when he reaches the glorious goal in the arena of faith.

In a preeminent and singular way, the Firstborn is the Lord Himself.

Jesus. His glory is radiated in the revelation of the New Testament in a way
triple

He is 'the Firstborn of all creation' (Col 1:15). This is His position of

honor view of the past, Christ, being the 'Firstborn' from the beginning, as
"Son" before and above all creatures.

He is 'the Firstborn among the dead' (Col 1:18; Rev 1:15). This is his
place of honor in the present, which He maintains as the One who
resurrected and who has the "preeminence" as the "Head" of His body, the
church.

He is "the firstborn among many brothers" (Rom 8:29). This will be His
position of honor in the eternal future when His Person will be revealed
glorified, O Redeemer of His glorified redeemed ones (Heb 1:16).

Thus the testimony of the New Testament concerning Christ

how the Firstborn refers to all three periods of time throughout
the course of the history of salvation. It is shown at the same time in the highest
position in all spheres of Divine revelation: in the kingdom of creation, in the kingdom
from redemption and in the kingdom of perfection. From any side we contemplate Him,
Christ is the Firstborn. "Looking at Jesus!"

Furthermore, the term 'firstborn' is used to express the position

special of the Church in grace. Therefore the letter to the Hebrews after talking about the
"right of primogeniture" of Esau, and having drawn certain conclusions from it for
the readers of the New Testament, adds just a few sentences: 'But
you have come ... to the Church of the Firstborn enrolled in heaven” (Heb
James says: "According to His own will, He has begotten us by
word of truth, so that we would be like the firstfruits of His
creatures" (James 1:18).

The main emphasis lies not so much on the order of birth with
respect for time, but first, for position and dignity. Otherwise it would be
impossible to talk about a man 'becoming the firstborn' (something that
happens in the Old Testament) a long time after his birth: "He
He will invoke me saying: You are my father, my God and the rock of my salvation.
I will do it, therefore, my firstborn, the most exalted among the kings of the earth" (Ps
89.26-27). And the reverse would not be possible for someone who, from the point of view
of time, was born as the firstborn, but lost this right of
primogeniture at a later occasion under certain circumstances:
As for the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel (for he was the
firstborn, but, having profaned his father's bed, he gave up the birthright
to the sons of Joseph, the son of Israel; so that, in the genealogy, it was not
counted as the firstborn. Judah, in fact, was powerful among his brothers.
And from him came the prince; however, the right of primogeniture belonged to Joseph)" (Reuben
1Chron 5:1,2); "Let there be no one impure or profane, like Esau, who
for a meal (dish of lentils), he sold his birthright
(Esau - Heb 12:16,17)

The fact that the essential idea of being the "firstborn" is in the
priority of position and not on the accident of birth, can be seen
Also in this passage: 'From Hosa, the sons of Merari, were sons:'
Sinrim, to whom the father appointed chief, even though he was not the firstborn.
(1Chron 26:10). Here it is told to us that in a certain family of Levites one of the
children, named Sinri, was the leader, for, "although he was not the firstborn,
however, his father made him chief." The same truth is the strength of
Colossians 1:15. There Paul says that Christ is 'the Firstborn of all creation.'
creation; not that He was the first to be born in time declaring that
He had a beginning, but indeed He has the preeminence as
Governor of the entire universe.

The Great Danger

Certainly, the right of primogeniture is not identical to parentage.

Esau remained the son of Isaac even after being rejected.
regarding inheriting the blessing of the birthright. In fact, he received the
despite your great failure, a kind of second blessing (Gen 27:38,40b;
Hb 11.20). The life relationship of the firstborns of the New Testament
with the Heavenly Father remains and will never be dissolved, for they have already passed from
death to life (1 John 3:14). However, in a spiritual sense, they may pass
for an experience similar to that of Esau.

Despite all the riches we can live in poverty

spiritual. No flow of celestial abundances will be evident. Wealth
some interior will shine to the outside. No happy joy of
redemption will be manifested. Even being children of eternal joy, we can
living sad and depressed and, instead of enjoying pleasure and delight in
our blessed Lord we can look back full of longing for the
vain joys and the goods of this world. Even possessing the priestly position
we can stop living a priestly life of prayer! There may not be
heart and mind of a priest. No loving supplication! No gratitude
happy for so many rich blessings received! No priestly worship of
God in spirit and in truth!

And finally, despite our high and noble calling, we can

live practically as slaves. Every earthly mindset is slavery.
Every sinful effort to gain money or earthly possessions makes a "king".
a "beggar". Any concern is unworthy of a king. Any fear of the
man is unworthy of a child of the great Father and Sovereign heavenly. All
excessive sensitivity and the feeling of being easily hurt and offended is
stingy. It is lamentable and primitive. In fact, all the service provided to
sin practically makes one who is designated to be a governor,
a lowered servant, and the sin that is actually defeated, acts as if
was the winner and as such acts as a ruler and tyrant, when in fact the
the Christian should be the winner. Thus, the believer, although belonging to the
Church of the Firstborn can practically reject its right to
primogeniture. Instead of wealth, inner poverty, instead of separation
And priestly practice, separation from God; instead of reign, real slavery!

The Grave Error

Esau lived for visible things and traded spiritual things in exchange.
Esau lived for human pleasures and traded the blessings given by
God; Esau lived without discipline and self-control and exchanged his position of
authority and honor; he despised the promise and the offer of dignity that
God offered you and brought shame upon himself (Genesis 27:37); He lived for the
his own Ego and thus negotiated the supreme vocation of his family; he
lived for the present and traded his noble calling for the future; he lived
for the transient moment and gave eternal treasures in exchange for them.

My reader read the sentences above again and ask yourself

if there is no reflection of this in your own attitude and spiritual practice.
Pay attention to the warning of this passage in Hebrews! Much is at stake.
scale: glorious eternal gain or irretrievable loss. At that moment
disastrous, Esau, at the cost of the future, chose the pleasure of the present. Thus he
experienced in his own life the principle of the word of the Lord: "Who
but he who hates his life (soul) will lose it" (John 12:25); "For what will it profit
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his life (soul)?" (Mt 16:26).

That is why Paul says: 'And if an athlete competes in the public games,
"he will not be crowned if he does not compete legitimately" (2 Tim 2:5). What does it mean not
"to fight legitimately", or, according to the rules of the games? It means
to transgress the rules of the game through some trick to achieve an easy victory.
He may try to shorten the length of the race by taking shortcuts. The same
many today wish to be true Christians, but avoid the heat of the battle
making appointments here and there. They also want to hit the target, but
they think they can reach it by paying a low price. Let's not delude ourselves in this
Subject! Our Lord expects our total devotion. Away with all the
attempts to make the narrow path a little wider and more
passable! The Lord seeks our heart entirely. Otherwise He
cannot use our service and will not crown our efforts. In order to
To conquer the eternal crown we need to offer our life completely.
Erich Sauer
 Chapter 2
The Loss of Primogeniture

Pursue peace with everyone and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord,
taking care that no one is lacking, separating themselves from grace of
God; let there be no root of bitterness that, springing up, troubles you, and,
in the middle of it, many may be contaminated; nor may there be any impure or profane,
as Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright
primogeniture. Because you also know that, later wanting to inherit
the blessing, was rejected, for he found no place of repentance, although,
"with tears he sought it" (Hebrews 12:16,17).

There are two classic examples in the Word of God regarding

loss of primogeniture rights: one is found in the story of Esau and the
the end of Rúben's story.

Ruben and the Right of Primogeniture

Reuben, the firstborn of Jacob, was about to inherit the right of

primogeniture. But because of a serious sin committed during his
life, he lost those rights. The sin of Reuben that resulted in the loss of
your rights was a sexual impropriety of such nature that dishonored and
he disgraced his father: "It was Reuben, and he lay with Bilhah, his father's concubine"
(Gn 35.22).

Because of this sin, years later, when Jacob called to his

presence of his twelve children, shortly before his death to report what
It should happen to them "in the last days", Ruben heard the following
Ruben, you are my firstborn, my strength, and the firstfruits of
my vigor, the most excellent in nobility, and the most excellent in power.
Impetuous as the eagle, you shall not be the most excellent, because you survive on the bed.
of your father and you profaned it; you will not prevail in my bed" (Gn 49.3-4). The tribe of
Reuben, according to Jacob's prophecy, did not stand out. From his tribe did not come
judge, king or prophet. What Ruben lost, he lost forever. But he
even remained as Jacob's son and was blessed to some extent,
but not as the firstborn.

The birthright of Reuben was divided with three of his

brothers:

The kingdom was granted to Judah:

The tribe of Judah became the royal lineage

The priestly service to Levi:

The tribe of Levi the priestly lineage

And the double portion was granted to Joseph:

And the tribe of Joseph received the double portion

Joseph, through his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, received the inheritance.
(1Chronicles 5:1-2).

During the millennium, the condition created by the sin of Reuben will
to remain

The king will be from the house of Judah (Rev 5:5)

The priest of the family of Zadok, the Levite
(Ezekiel 44:15-16; 48:11)
And the double portion will be given to the house of Joseph through Ephraim and Manasseh.
(Ez 47:13; 48:4,5).

2. Esau and the Right of Primogeniture

Esau, like Reuben, lost his birthright.

the story of Esau all the inheritance went to his younger brother, Jacob. Esau
lost his right of primogeniture to satisfy a pleasure of the flesh. He
sold his privileges to Jacob for a simple bowl of lentils (Gen 25:27-
34).

Seeing that the right of primogeniture had been promised to Jacob

(Gn 25.23), some doubted that Esau was really the possessor.
Meanwhile, Esau was not just a suitor of him. In the original Greek, the
the word 'sold' found in Heb 12:16 implies that the object sold
belonged solely to Esau, and that he was perfectly aware of his
actions, when he sold his birthright to Jacob.

In Genesis 25:34 we read that Esau "despised" his birthright.

primogeniture. In Greek, in the version of the Seventy of the Old Testament, the
the word 'desprezou' means that Esau considered it to be something insignificant and
a trifle your right of primogeniture. He judged it of little value and the
sold with the certainty that he was selling something without real value. Later
Esau checked the value of what he had sold. Like in the story of Reuben, the
the loss of his right to primogeniture did not affect his lineage, but changed to
always your position as the firstborn of Isaac.

After Jacob was blessed as the firstborn in the family, Esau,

apparently for the first time, he considered the value of what he had lost.
He tried to reclaim this right, but the Escritura states that he did not find a place of
"regret" (Heb 12:17). After realizing the value of the right of
primogeniture and what had occurred, he begged Isaac, his father, to
changed his decision and blessed him as well. Esau cried out to Isaac: "Is it possible
Do you have a single blessing my father? Bless me too my father.
It is reported to us that 'Esau raised his voice and wept' (Gen 27:38).

Regret: From Esau or Isaac?

The word 'repentance' means to change someone's mind.

Esau struggled to change his father's decision, but he 'found no place
for regret", means "did not find a place for a change of
mind.” The American Standard Version of the Bible (1901 edition) has
You know
that later, when he wished to inherit the blessing, (Esau) was rejected; not
found a place for your father's change of mind, although he tried hard
with tears." Isaac could not change his decision. The right to
the birthright had been lost and was beyond Esau's reach to
always.

3. Christians and Primogeniture

 There is in the minds of many Christians the idea that after someone
to receive the Lord Jesus as Savior, regardless of how your life
is led, because all Christians will inherit with Jesus when He
receive the kingdom. Nothing could be further from the truth. Reign with
Christ depends on our identification with Him, sharing His rejection.
It is shameful in today's days. If all Christians will govern and reign with
Christ in His Kingdom, what does this Scripture mean: 'If we persevere
we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us
(2Tm 2.12)? If the Christian lives an undisciplined life, according to nature
carnal (typified by Esau's attitude towards the birthright of
primogeniture) and not according to the spiritual nature (characterized by the attitude of
Jacob concerning the right of primogeniture) and fail to take care until the
coming of the Lord (Luke 19:12-13), or in the use of the talent or the mina that
he was entrusted (Matt 25:14-30; Luke 19:15-24), such a Christian will be disqualified
to take a place in the Kingdom.

Every Christian is a firstborn of God awaiting adoption and

inheritance that belongs to the firstborns: "Now, the Spirit Himself testifies
with our spirit that we are children of God. Now, if we are children, we are
also heirs, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ; if we suffer with Him
if we suffer, we will also be glorified with Him” (Rom 8:16,17); “And to those who
predestined, these he also called; and those whom he called, these also
he justified; and those whom he justified, he also glorified” (Rom 8:30);
For it was fitting that He, for whom and by whom all things
there are, leading many children to glory, perfected through
sufferings, the Author of their salvation" (Heb 2:10); "To the Church of
"Firstborns enrolled in heaven" (12.23). Both adoption and inheritance
they are future and can be lost while being closely related to one another
the other. The kinship of the Christian with the Father, as the firstborn son who
awaits adoption, cannot be lost, but the kinship as a child
mature firstborn and the sharing of the rights belonging to the firstborn
they can be lost. According to the record of Esau and Reuben, since such
Whatever happens, the rights that belong to the firstborn cannot be
recovered.

On that day, when we stand before the Tribunal of Christ,

two groups of Christians will be found: the group of those who preserved
your rights as firstborns and those who lost these rights. The Christians
those who preserve their rights of primogeniture will exercise them as "co-
"heirs" with Christ in the Kingdom. However, Christians who lose them will be
found searching for the loss of the rights of primogeniture that belong
to the firstborn. Such Christians will seek a place of repentance, that is,
they will try to change the Judge's mind in the hope of being blessed
together with the others who did not lose their rights of
primogeniture, but they will not find a place for a change of mind. It will be too late.
besides. The right of primogeniture may have been lost. The blessing with respect
the inheritance that awaits the mature firstborn children of God will be lost,
and those who lose it will not occupy any position among the 'kings and priests'
who reign over the earth with the Son. The Christians on that day will raise their
they will cry out as they become aware of what has been lost, as
what happened to Esau in typology. "I come quickly; hold fast what you have
so that no one takes your crown” (Rev 3:11).

Arlen Chitwood
 Chapter 3
Firstborn Children

"Follow peace with everyone and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord."
taking care that no one falls short, separating themselves from grace
God; let there not be any root of bitterness that, springing up, troubles you, and, by
many may be contaminated; nor let there be any impure or profane among them,
as Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.
primogeniture. For you know that later wanting to inherit
the blessing was rejected, because he found no place for repentance, although,
with tears or had sought it

The points of the story of Esau to be considered are: Esau being

the firstborn son obtained by right of birth the privileges before
described as belonging to the firstborn. He did not have to conquer them
you buy them. They were united to him by birth, according to the
will of God. However, it was his duty to hold them back. Esau, however, them
considered to be of such small value that he soon exchanged them for a
temporary satisfaction of the palate. It was not about difficulty in obtaining
any other type of food, as he had arrived at the camp. The
the fact, as recorded by God, was that he despised his right to
primogeniture. However, later, regretting his foolishness,
Esau found it impossible to reverse his own act, or change the mind of
your father, regarding securing the richest blessing that accompanied the possession
of the rights of primogeniture.

We believe it is simply impossible for Esau to be offered.

as a warning for the false convert, who is not truly in Christ
Jesus, for these reasons: Esau was the legitimate son of Isaac, and not a bastard.
the foreigner. He legally obtained the rights of the firstborn, not being
a false claimant. Even after the loss of those rights, his father him
blessed him as fully as possible, although he could not return it to him
the priority that he himself had thrown away. He did not lose those things.
what would have made him a possible type of someone finally lost, that is,
his life or affiliation. But he lost his superior dignity and his privileges.

These conditions are not met in a non-regenerated person, the

despite how reasonable and continuous your confession of Christianity is. The
they are not children of God at all; they will not be in any way
blessed and not approved, not having, or rather, not having possessed
the eternal life, but being "children of wrath, like the rest." The two cases are
totally different, but the example of Esau more precisely
it corresponds to our case, to whom it is applied here. “Attending
diligently" says the Scripture, "so that there may not be any impure or profane
like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal,
then, in a different paragraph linked by a particle to that warning,
the following statement is added: "Because you (those who are like this
"you have come to the Church of the Firstborn" (Heb 12:23). In this way
that, the warning is given to those who have similar rights in
family and celestial sphere. Only for them does it have such power. To warn
Someone against the loss of something they do not possess is a foolishness that does not concern us.
we dare to attribute to the Spirit of the Lord.

But the true believers, born of God and called to the

His kingdom and glory fill the facts in the case of Esau. Such people are:
truly children of God through faith in Christ Jesus; they are firstborn of
Your family, and they have the rights of primogeniture. They do not have to earn.
the, buy them or conquer them. Such rights are in their entirety a
right of primogeniture by the sovereign grace of the Lord. But they need to
value them and preserve them, and they are warned about the loss of them. Their
Affiliation is inalienable and its eternal life is not subject to loss, nor is it
deposited and kept by them, at their own risk, but 'hidden'
together with Christ in God” (Col 3:3). If Christians imagine that everything
it is guaranteed, great will be the danger of a subtle carelessness of the heart. But, if
the retention of these privileges is conditioned on our journey, strong is the
motivation to advance towards perfection.

The loss of primogeniture rights is more indicated and emphasized.

in the history of Ruben. Being the firstborn son of Jacob, this honor belonged to him;
but for submitting to unnatural sensual desires, such honor was given to him
Regarding the children of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel (for he was the
firstborn, but for having profaned his father's bed, the birthright was given away.
to the children of Joseph, son of Israel" (1Chron 5:1). Regarding the territory, it was
given to the sons of Joseph, who received in the person of his sons the portion
the sovereignty belonged to the tribe of Judah through David and his sons,
including the Messiah; and the priesthood was given to Levi. However, Reuben
remained in the family and was partly blessed. However, by showing that the
rights in question, once lost, cannot be recovered, we must
remember that in the days of the coming kingdom the situation caused by the bad
Rúben's conduct will be maintained:

The King will come from the house of Judah

The priesthood will be from the family of Zadok - Ezekiel 48:11

Ephraim and Manasseh will have the double portion.

Rúben lost all of this forever, even while remaining in the house.
from Israel and sharing a common portion and not of special degree. All
these things are seen by comparing the final and prophetic statements of
Jacob (Gen 49:1-4) and Moses (Deut 33:6), for Jacob declared that the dignity of
the firstborn with his position of superiority and power belonged to Reuben,
it still would not be his even in the last days. Moses ensured life for the tribe
And nothing more: 'Long live Rúben and do not die; and let his men not be few.'

The transfer of the right of primogeniture is also shown in

1 Chronicles 26:10. At the beginning of this chapter, an event is reported to us.
occurring in the Levite family, bringing this lesson to us, who are called
to the heavenly service, typified by the service in the tabernacle. The main theme
this passage in Hebrews 12 and also throughout the entire letter is summarized in
words: "Receiving a kingdom" (v 28). The subject in question is this and not the
security of salvation from eternal perdition. The epistle assumes that this
the benefit has been guaranteed since the beginning by those considered "saints"
brothers participating in the heavenly calling" (Heb 3:1). Therefore, being this
called a privilege by the grace of God in Christ, we should not "us
"to divert from Him who warns us from the heavens," that is, Him who warns us.
with stories like that of Esau and others, for there being a tremor in the end,
let us remove all the things that can be shaken, so that only the unshakable remain
may they remain eternal.

For the glory of the sovereign in the kingdom, beginning in the millennium and
we are called to proceed eternally. We must then, by grace
of God, to serve acceptably to the God of grace, striving to
He is fulfilling all His will, not in carnal vanity, as if little
it mattered how we lived and served, but with "reverence and holy fear,"
for our God is a consuming fire," as many of His people have
witnessed.

George Henry Lang

 Chapter 4
Esau and the Birthright

Pursue peace with all and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord,
taking care that no one falls short, separating himself from grace
God; let there be no root of bitterness that, springing up, troubles you, and, by
in the middle of it, many shall be contaminated; nor shall there be any unclean or profane,
as Esau, who, for a simple meal, sold his birthright
primogeniture. Because you also know that, subsequently wanting to inherit
the blessing was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, although,
with tears or had sought it

That saints can become guilty of fornication is something beyond

any questions, both due to sad facts and by the Scriptures: 'And cry for
many who have sinned before and did not repent of the filth, and
prostitution, and lewdness they committed" (2Co 12:21). What will be the result of
What sins are committed after faith and the confession of the name of Christ? The position
Will the guilty party in the future not be affected? There is no punishment.
beyond the coldness and spiritual death now? Scripture gives us a testimony
quite different. She assures us that those, although they can be saved in the
finally, they will have no part in the thousand-year kingdom of the Savior: "Do not you
neither the fornicators, nor the idolaters, nor the adulterers, nor the
effeminate, nor the sodomites, nor the thieves, nor the greedy, nor the
drunkards, nor slanderers, nor thieves will inherit the kingdom of God
For you know this: that no fornicator, or unclean person, or
the greedy, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of
"God" (Eph 5:5). The kingdom mentioned is that of Christ or the Messiah and
demonstrate to be the temporary kingdom that Jesus will receive as the Son of David, the
Messiah of the Jews.

It seems that even positive punishment will be applied to the saints.

guilty of such sin: 'For this is the will of God, your
sanctification: that you abstain from fornication; that each of you know
possess your vessel in sanctification and honor; not in the passion of lust,
like the Gentiles, who do not know God. Let no one oppress or
defraud your brother in the matter (margin) because the Lord is the avenger of
all this, as we have also told you before and testified. For God
he did not call us to impurity, but to sanctification. Therefore, whoever
despise this not despises man, but mainly God” (1Thess
4.3-8). "To those who engage in prostitution and to adulterers, God will judge them" (Hb
13.4).

The wrath of God against this sin was seen in His treatment of it.
given under the law, as indicated to us in Paul's summary regarding the
the ways of the Lord with His people of the past (1 Cor 10:1-11). Moses,
in the same way, he notes this point when he reminds his people of the dealings of
Lord to them: "Your eyes have seen what God has done because of
of Baal-Peor: for every man who followed Baal-Peor, the Lord your God
"consumed from among you" (Dt 4.3).

Esau is characterized as "profane" and his story confirms that

full and complete mode of the accusation. He "sold his right to the
"primogeniture". What was contained in the "right of primogeniture" is not
clarified at each point. Under the law, a doubled portion of the father's possessions
belonged to the firstborn (Dt 21:17). And when the father was a king, the kingdom was
naturally given to him, unless the Lord as Supreme Governor,
Your father gave them many gifts of
silver, gold and precious things and also of fortified cities in Judah; however,
the kingdom was given to Jehoram, as he was the firstborn" (2Chron 21:3). However, in the case of
Esau, we can see what he lost by observing what Jacob became.
subsequently. The Most High inserted the name of Jacob into His own name.
Jehovah was "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." He is often called
of 'the God of Jacob' or 'the God of Israel' aside. Such glory, then, was
the tearing of Esau, the profane. From Jacob, also, were born the twelve patriarchs and
the Messiah himself. The kingdom of God is founded on the basis of the twelve tribes, and the
their names are eternally engraved on the gates of the eternal city
God (Rev 21). Giving up spiritual advantages in exchange for those that are
the lands is the gain of profanation; and by this crime Esau became guilty of it
sell your birthright.

But he was even more guilty for accepting in return a

insignificant remuneration of human category. It was a 'single meal'.
If he had demanded that Jacob support him throughout his life as
payment for your surrender would have been desecration. But, getting rid of
the right of primogeniture for the satisfaction of a moment was the extreme of
profanation. The way he refers to such a right reveals contempt while
Here I am about to die; therefore, what will it serve me for
"right of primogeniture?" (Gen 25:32). Men in general exalt the value
of the goods that are for sale; but Esaú himself depreciates the primacy of
that was about to be launched out. He sold it too, with an oath.
turning to God to testify to the ungodly transaction: "Then Jacob said:
Swear to me first. He swore and sold his birthright to Jacob.
(Gn 25.33). Observe another shameful aggravating factor of sin! Taking in
considering the sale, Espírito Santo adds: "And he ate and drank; and,
rising up, he went on his way” (Gn 25:34). He went to take care of his
routine obligations when the meal was over, as if nothing of
particular importance would have happened.

Observe, however, the extent of sin. It was not because of having fallen into
idolatry, or because he renounced the God of his father that Esau lost his
right of primogeniture. It was also not due to having repudiated Isaac as his
father. Isaac still recognized him as his son, although he was forced to hold back the
blessing of the firstborn. The example of Esau is, therefore, a lesson for the
believer, for someone who will be recognized by God as His child on the day of
reward.

The outcome of the case is turned into a warning for us. Esau after all
He desired the blessing. When his father was about to grant it, he put in effort.
I managed to obtain it, but it was denied to him by the providence of God. (We do not have
need to defend Jacob's conduct, both for buying the right of
primogeniture, as well as the attempt to obtain it fraudulently. This was
incorrect in the sight of God, and as such was punished. But this is not the point that
we have ahead of us).

The Lord upheld Esau's bargain. He was invited as

witness of the sale, and, by His providence, prevented Isaac from granting
the blessing to Esau. When he discovered that his brother had obtained the blessing for
yes, "he shouted with deep bitterness, and said to his father: Bless me
also me, my father" (Gen 27:34). But Isaac was not persuaded to
regret your words or revoke the blessing. "I blessed him and he will be
blessed. And Esau raised his voice and wept." Although he had sought in
final the blessing with tears, did not obtain it. (The search may refer to,
grammatically, (1) to the blessing or (2) to the change in the father's decision. I prefer
the second hypothesis). Esau could not lead his father to repentance for having
given the supreme honor to his younger brother. 'He was rejected' (Greek =
You have been rejected. This is an example of someone coming to be 'a rejected one'.
a thing that Paul feared for himself: 1Co 9.27; Greek = adokimos.

But how does this example apply to us Christians? (1) Esau was a
descendant of Abraham and the circumcised son of Isaac. In this he
it corresponds to the believers of now. He was indeed a son as much as
Jacob. In every respect, the right of primogeniture was his. He would have it.
has been given timely at the end, except for your misconduct. We Christians,
we are then in a similar position. As reborn of God,
We are potentially heirs of the kingdom. As believers in Jesus, before the
Millennial day and before the inclusion of Israel, we are the firstborn. This
So, it is not a lesson for the unbelievers.

(2) A profane conduct like that of Esau will cause the loss of the right of
entry into the kingdom, which is the right of primogeniture proposed to us. We can
exchanging future and spiritual blessings for the present and earthly ones. In thousands of
this profane sale has happened and is still being negotiated to this day
most varied forms.

(a) Here is a believing minister who sees that such and such doctrines and practices of
its designation has no support in the Scriptures. They hurt a lot of your
awareness, but what will he do if he gives up his current position and the benefits
What good is it to him? What benefit will his right of primogeniture have for him, if...
Do you have to deliver your current position and your livelihood? Thus argues your
incredulity. And, under the influence of such a worthless reason, he continues in a
position that one believes is sinful. In what way does such a procedure differ from that of
Esau? In principle, nothing. The worldly benefits that such a person receives for
maintaining your position of infidelity is like a plate of lentils and
they represent the price received for the sale of your birthright.
From then on, God will bind him to his trade.
Here is a Christian merchant. He discovers that some of his
commercial practices are not Christian but rather evil. But how can one act in
different from his incredulous neighbors? If he wishes to make a fortune,
as is the case with them, one must act like them, otherwise one will be left behind
behind in the competition. He perseveres in such deeds, until his conscience...
calloused storm. What shall we say then? It is not the profane exchange of Esau if
repeating? If the one in question receives the reality of the exchange or not, God will bind him to
exchange made. They received their good things now and obtained them by sacrificing
your spiritual interests. However, when the time for reward comes, your
The real sale will be remembered. It was a real exchange, although it was not formal.
She proceeds from the judgment of the promised glory of God in a vulgar way. It is
like Esau's disdain for the birthright.

(c) For such Christians, the day of reward will repeat the scene again between
Esau and his father. Esau, despite his sale and oath, still hoped to receive
fully the blessing of the firstborn. Finally, when rejected, we can
I heard him speak like someone who had been robbed of what was his. But
The Lord took care that he would be rejected. Thus, all will be treated.
those Christians who, like Esau, remain bound to their profane exchanges
the spiritual things by the temporal things. In the end, when the kingdom and the
the glory of Christ will come and they will be awakened to realize the value of
blessing and they will desire it ardently. But the exchange will be maintained. The kingdom does not
it could be theirs.

Pay attention to the most convincing point of the representation: it is

a transaction between father and son. The father refuses it to his favorite son. The
Despite the natural and special tenderness, crying and tears are useless.
Christian beware, so as not to undervalue your birthright
finally coming to sell it, although being a son of God. He who
It is immutable in justice and holiness that it will exclude you as profane from the thousand years of
glory of the Messiah. For, pay attention, Esau did not withdraw from the presence of his
father with a curse. He simply lost the blessing that he exchanged for the
lentils.

Robert Govett
 Other releases from Edições Ruiós:

Series A THE CHURCH AND THE WORK

Volume 1
The Task of Shepherding – Ernie Hile
The Elders and the Workers
Watchman Nee

Volume 2
The Ministers and the Ministries
Watchman Nee

END TIME

Volume 1
The Babylonian System
B. W. Newton

Volume 2
The Third Temple of Israel
Chitwood - Panton - Govett

Volume 3
The Hardening of Israel
David Baron - A Oliveira - B. W. Newton

BOOKS OF THE BIBLE

Volume 1
Jonas - The Breaking of a Prophet
Délcio Meireles

Volume 2
Leviticus - The Offerings - Cancellation of the Land
Délcio Meireles
Series YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH
Volume 1
Predestination? And the Love of God?
G. H. Lang

Volume 2
The Judgment, the Sanhedrin and the Valley of Fire
G. H. Pember

Volume 3
The Divine Origin of the Bible - Proven by Mathematics
Ivan Panin

Volume 4
The Parable of the Leaven
G. H. Lang

Volume 5
The Holy Spirit of Indwelling
G. H. Lang
The Coating and the Housing of the Holy Spirit
J. Penn Lewis

Volume 6
The Gospel in the Stars - The Signs of the Zodiac and the History of
Redemption
J. A. Seiss - E. W. Bullinger - Délcio Meireles

Volume 7
Prophecy and History with Reference
To the Jews - First Part
To the Gentiles - Second Part
To the Church - Third Part
Délcio Meireles
Series DEVELOPING SALVATION
Volume 1
Hardened by the Deceit of Sin
G. C. Morgan
Apostasy and Restoration
G. C. Morgan

Volume 2
The Tribulation is a Servant
J. W. Follette
No Smell of Burnt
T. Austin Sparks
Faithful Wounds
A. W. Tozer
Jonas: The Disabled
Anonymous

Volume 3
God does not spare His Children
Phil Jr.
The Breaking of John Tauler
Gregory Mantle
When God is silent
Paul Thigpen
Volume 4
The Rights of Primogeniture
Erich Sauer
The Loss of Primogeniture
A. Chitwood
Firstborn Sons
G. H. Lang
Esau and the Birthright
Robert Govett