Characters of Jacob and Esau Contrasted

Christ Triumphant - A Devotional by E.G. White

Characters of Jacob and Esau Contrasted

Today's Text: One people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. Genesis 25:23

The Message:      Esau grew up loving self-gratification and centering all his interest in the present. Impatient of restraint, he delighted in the wild freedom of the chase, and early chose the life of a hunter. Yet he was the father's favorite. The quiet, peace-loving shepherd was attracted by the daring and vigor of this elder son, who fearlessly ranged over mountain and desert, returning home with game for his father and with exciting accounts of his adventurous life.      Jacob, thoughtful, diligent, and care-taking, ever thinking more of the future than the present, was content to dwell at home, occupied in the care of the flocks and the tillage of the soil. His patient perseverance, thrift, and foresight were valued by the mother. His affections were deep and strong, and his gentle, unremitting attentions added far more to her happiness than did the boisterous and occasional kindnesses of Esau. To Rebekah, Jacob was the dearer son....      Esau had no love for devotion, no inclination to a religious life. The requirements that accompanied the spiritual birthright were an unwelcome and even hateful restraint to him. The law of God ... was regarded by Esau as a yoke of bondage. Bent on self-indulgence, he desired nothing so much as liberty to do as he pleased. To him power and riches, feasting and reveling, were happiness. He gloried in the unrestrained freedom of his wild, roving life....      Jacob had learned from his mother of the divine intimation that the birthright should fall to him, and he was filled with an unspeakable desire for the privileges that it would confer.... The spiritual birthright was the object of his longing. To commune with God as did righteous Abraham, to offer the sacrifice of atonement for his family, to be the progenitor of the chosen people and of the promised Messiah, and to inherit the immortal possessions embraced in the blessings of the covenant-here were the privileges and honors that kindled his most ardent desires....      He carefully treasured what he had learned from his mother. Day and night the subject occupied his thoughts, until it became the absorbing interest of his life.... He believed that the promise concerning himself could not be fulfilled so long as Esau retained the rights of the firstborn, and he constantly studied to devise some way whereby he might secure the blessing that his brother held so lightly, but that was so precious to himself.-Patriarchs and Prophets, 177-179.

Commentary: My friend, Jacob cherished the things of God more than the things of the world.  Unlike Esau who sought after immediate gratification and the thrill of the moment in place of the spiritual attainments of God.  In each of these brothers is characterized the whole of humanity.  Each had the same opportunity to know God, but only one desired to walk after God. Today there may seem like there are many different types of people, but in reality there are only two.  Those who long for the spiritual treasures of God and those who desire the things of this world.  The same is in the church as well, but because they are in the church it is more difficult to see for they have a form of godliness but they deny the power of God in their lives. From this message we are not to look to one another to see which character each is portraying, but to look at ones self to see if we are like Jacob or Esau.  The psalmist said in Psalms 139:23, 24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."  We must be willing to examine our hearts and ask God to reveal to us if there is anything in our lives that is keeping us from walking closer to Him. Jesus said in Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."  The question that we must ask ourselves is do we hunger and thirst after the righteousness of Christ?  Or are we like Esau seeking after the pleasures of this world.  The promise to us is that if we seek after righteousness with all of our hearts we will be filled. May you seek after Jesus today, that you may be filled. God bless,

Video of the Week 3ABN Panel Discussion Commented by Daniel Mesa 3ABN representatives, in a panel discussion, gave their thoughts regarding the trinity. Daniel Mesa takes a few moments of that presentation and gives additional comments regarding another understanding of the Godhead.