The American Wisdom Series

Presents

Pamphlet 1996 Hebrews kc 24-3

The reason that Paul brings up Esau's prostitution of his birthright is that many of our brothers and sisters who claim to be Christians will also "sell out" their inheritance, their birthright promises in Jesus Christ, to the false messiah when he comes to earth (Rev. 12:7-9).

Paul now gives us some more sound doctrine to absorb and act upon.

Hebrews 12:14
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Always follow after (pursue) peace, if it is possible, and holiness, which means "purity", the same word which is used for "sanctification". In other words, strive to be peaceable will all men but do not be a "people pleaser" but rather be a "purifier" (follow holiness) and strive to say and do that which is right and just according to God's Word, understanding all the while that not one of us is perfect and we all sin and fall short. But you see, we know we have an High Priest who sits at the right hand of God who is willing to intercede on our behalf that we may be forgiven upon repentance. It is Jesus Christ, the Word of God, that "sanctifies" us and makes us holy.

Knowing then the grace which He has bestowed upon us, it is only fitting that we should pursue peace and do what is right when dealing with all men. For example, we should not talk about, gossip about, nor criticize our brothers and sisters... keeping in mind the saying "there for but the grace of God go I"! This should apply to all walks of life for the seeds of criticism, gossip, and division should not be permitted to take root among the brethren!

[15] Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
"Looking diligently" means to "oversee" or to "take the oversight of". In other words, be positive and don't let "seeds" of bitterness, which means "gall" or "poison", which is the "wormwood" of Satan, germinate (spring up) in your mind. As a servant of God, you set the path straight according to His ways so that there is none occasion to cause your brothers and sisters to be defiled and turn away from the Lord God whereby they might stumble and fall. This is a reference to Deut. 29:18.
Deut. 29:18
Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;
To "beareth" means to "bring forth fruit" which comes after germination. "Gall" (rosh) means the poison of serpents and "wormwood" means "to curse", even with the accursed thing! Wormwood is actually one of Satan's names (Rev. 8:11), therefore never let the "cursed one" interject into your house his poisonous gossip and false accusations and poisonous seeds of corrupt doctrine, etc.  As the saying goes, "git after it" and "nip those things in the bud" before they have a chance to germinate and bear ugly fruit. Or better yet, stomp on them with the flaming boots of the gospel armor!

Why is this so important? Paul explains...

Hebrews 12:16
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
The Greek words translated "fornicator" and "profane" in this verse pretty much tells the whole story in the context of what Paul is discussing here. "Fornicator" is "pornos, por'-nos", Strong's #4205, which means a male prostitute. You see, Esau sold the birthright of his inheritance to which he was entitled seeing that he was the first born. The promises God gave to Abraham and confirmed in Isaac belonged to Esau... else he could not have sold it to Jacob, could he? The lamentable part is that one cannot have much regard for his heritage nor desire the promises of his inheritance if he is so willing to prostitute himself and "sell out" both himself and his people for a mere bowl of red pottage to feed the temporal flesh. Genesis 25:34 "Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised [disesteemed] his birthright."
The reason that Paul brings up Esau's prostitution of his birthright is that many of our brothers and sisters will also "sell out" their inheritance, their birthright promises in Jesus Christ, to the false messiah when he comes to earth (Rev. 12:7-9). You "see", they have so little regard for their Father's Word and the promises He has made to them that many have not even read nor studied His testaments to see what it is they can claim or what it is they must do to receive them. And you know what? Just as Esau was "rejected" by God, so shall those who prostitute themselves to the false messiah be rejected.
[17] For 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.
Esau did not repent by turning to God with prayer and humbleness to seek to restore His birthright which he so casually disregarded, but rather weeped and mourned because he felt sorry for himself in that he "lost" his birthright blessings. He was remorseful for having suffered the penalty of his own doing, his own works, his own iniquitous lack of faith. In fact, Esau did not accept responsibility at all for disregarding and losing his birthright (the promises of God, i.e. His Word) but rather blamed his brother for "taking" it away from him! THEN, to top it all, he wanted his father to change and do something about it, not himself.

The point is, take a lesson (take heed) from what Paul is teaching us and begin to have regard and reverence for your Father's Word by studying it and rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15)! For there shall yet be a future rejection of the those Christians who ignore (and therefore disesteem) their Father's Word, His promises, and "sell out" their inheritance to the false messiah. In other words, because they follow the wrong path which are the vain (empty) ways of the traditions of men instead of walking in His ways according to His will, having faith built on that foundation (Rock), they will also prostitute themselves as spiritual whores and harlots! Then they will come whining and moaning when it comes time to receive the blessings because they believe they are deserving of the rewards though they disesteemed His will. Here are the very words of Jesus Christ foretelling and forewarning of that great rejection:

Matthew 7:21-23
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

[22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

They listened to preachers who told them that "being involved" in church and Sunday school and church activities is what pleases God. But after years and years of going to church they are still Biblically illiterate and do not know the Word of God (Heb. 5). You "see", if you do not know the "written" Word of God, though you claim to be Christian and cry Lord, Lord, you really do not know Jesus Christ, the "living" Word of God.
[23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
He never knew them because they never came to Him to draw near to Him... to get to know Him through His Word. They therefore had little regard for their inheritance, the blessings and promises of God, as did Esau. Knowing this, what should you do? James 4:8 "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you...".

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.


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