Birthrights and Blessings

And make sure there isn't any immoral or irreverent person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for one meal. For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected because he didn't find any opportunity for repentance, though he sought it with tears. Hebrews 12:16,17

I can agree that Esau showed he failed to respect the significance of his birthright, being irreverent even, by allowing his belly to dictate his actions but to say he was immoral, I don't quite understand.

What does having morals really mean? We say someone is immoral when they are sexually aberrant. However, the dictionary gives a broader definition. That is, not conforming to socially accepted standards.

In Esau's time a birthright (a right to a double portion) was highly prized. The firstborn inherited a right that was his alone and would make him significant in the land. Issac, Esau's father, was a prominent man with much possessions and therefore to be the firstborn of Issac was something. 

Esau allowed his brother Jacob to rob him of not only his birthright but his blessing( a right to rule the clan). Esau lost the inheritance as well as the blessing. Jacob, the supplanter was Esau's twin brother and the younger by a minute. He came out of the womb holding his brother's heel. God actually told Rebeccca, their mother, that Jacob, although born last, would be first.

The book of Hebrew's, in the above scripture, is telling the hearers not to look down on their new birth, not to take it for granted but to honour it.

How can I despise my new birth? By acting like Jesus is irrelevant to my life, by endeavoring to be Lord and Master. He is not just Saviour but as I make Him Lord, my life takes on order.

Some things cannot be undone and therefore it is important to honour that which God honours.