Jacob’s Destination, Israel’s Destiny Jack Hallett The Story of Jacob and Esau carries a powerful message for every true Christian.
I n the winter of 1820, a New En- gland whaling ship—the Essex— was fatally assaulted by something the crew could scarcely believe: a massive whale, immense not only in size but in force and determination. The event that followed brought an unimaginable series of tests and tri - als upon that crew—far beyond any - thing they could have expected. Yet they struggled to survive, pressing on through impossible conditions in a cold, violent sea. The crew was no longer the hunters, they had become the hunted now surrounded by dan - gers greater than themselves. Mankind has long faced another kind of monster—one of darkness and depth—since the beginning in the Garden with Satan. The proph- et Jeremiah speaks of this inward danger, describing the condition of the human heart. In Jeremiah 17:9, it states: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? According to Strong’s Concordance, the meaning includes “exceedingly deceitful, polluted, crooked.” Even the name of the forefather Jacob carries this idea—it means “sup- planter.” The natural, carnal mind is determined to survive in its corrupt - ed state, but at a terrible cost—not to itself, but to mankind. If left unchecked it could even re - sult in disaster. In Revelation 21:8 God warns of the fate of those that allow the human heart to reign:
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. A scary reality that should motivate everyone of God’s people to avoid at all costs.
Hebrews 12:16-17 speaks of Esau’s struggles: Lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears. The word profane means godless. Esau placed little value on spiritual things. God, however, had already determined that the covenant prom - ise would pass through Jacob. Esau demonstrated his lack of re- gard for spiritual blessings when he sold his birthright for a bowl of lentil stew. To him, it had little val - ue. The calling of God’s people is their birthright. How many treat that calling lightly? Christians must rec- ognize that this calling is far greater than anything this physical world can offer. Jacob’s Example As Jacob, later renamed Israel, be - came the father of twelve tribes, his descendants spread to NW Europe, USA and British Commonwealth nations. Esau’s descendants spread out likewise throughout the Mid- dle East and Arabian Peninsula. Yet long after the brothers recon - ciled, Esau’s descendants retained a deep-seated hostility toward Israel. As has often been said, “old sins cast long shadows.”
The Essex struck by a whale — a sketch by Thomas Nickerson
The challenge before God’s people is to overcome that nature called self. Christians must resist its pulls by choosing a higher authority. They must seek the values taught in the Word of God. God’s people must choose His way over tempo - rary, physical nature. This can only be accomplished by following Jesus Christ and becoming obedient to His truth. Esau’s Example The Bible provides many examples to learn from, and few are more in- structive than the account of Esau and Jacob. Though twins, they were very different in character. Esau was a skilled hunter, but he lived contrary to God’s ways and disre- garded the counsel of his parents.
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