HOW solemn is the Spirit’s record of Esau, first in the Book of Genesis and again in Hebrews. It is said of him that he was a cunning hunter and a man of the field. No doubt, there are many men in the world today like Esau. Men who hunt for pleasure, and despise the grace and goodness of God that leadeth to repentance. There are multitudes of men of the “field” spending their days in revelry and self-satisfaction. But we are inclined to think with Solomon “that all is vanity and vexation of spirit” with them. It is said that Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage; and, as if to confirm it, the Spirit of God recalls it in the New Testament. He afterward desired to inherit the blessing, but was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it (the blessing) carefully with tears (Heb. 12:1717For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. (Hebrews 12:17)).
Let me affectionately appeal to you. Has this been your experience, my reader? Have you desired blessing from God? He is, blessed be His peerless Name, greatly interested in you. He has unlimited blessing for you, and that in nature and character like God Himself. It has been opened up through the Lord Jesus Christ, who came forth to undertake the glorious and mighty transaction by shedding His precious blood. He was “made sin for us who knew no sin.” God can now, upon a righteous basis, eternally forgive, and set you free from the sin which stood out before His all-seeing eye. Nothing but death, nothing but the cost of His life could put sin away. That He has done by the sacrifice of Himself, so that not a single question can be raised against the believer. Without question man is verily guilty, but his guilt need not bar his coming to God. Jesus, that Blessed One, has opened the way for “whosoever will.” All this He has done, and maintained the glory of God’s throne. “Hallelujah! what a Saviour!” How great a Person He is, and no usurper. Oh, will you not be persuaded to venture upon Him, and “taste and see that the Lord is good”?
Esau found no place for repentance, although he sought the blessing carefully with tears. He sought it when it was too late. How earnest he was! How deeply moved, even to tears Ah, Esau, thine opportunity is over!
And if for the reader such a possibility should be turned into accomplished reality, what then? It has been said that “salvation finally missed is damnation eternally reached.” Today there is a place for repentance. Today you may have the blessing. Oh, that you may seek it earnestly, with true contrition of soul. Thus it is written, “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word” (Isa. 66:22For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. (Isaiah 66:2)). In hell there will be found no place for repentance, but remorse and anguish of soul. May Esau’s testimony be a warning voice to you and this moment be yours for decision for Christ. Make your choice.
Not long ago I was visiting a dying man in North America, and I put the question to him, “What think ye of Christ?” He had great and elevating thoughts of “religion,” but for Christ he had no desire. May it not be so with you!
“But now He’s risen from the grave,
And bears the greatest, sweetest Name,
The Lord Almighty now to save
From sin, from death, from endless shame.”
E. J. E.