Bayless Conley, Jacob and Esau, Part 1 Jacob traveled further into Canaan and bought some land that he settled on, naming it Elohe Israel (33:18-20). In fact, the name Esau means hairy. He also goes by the name Edom, meaning red, which is why his The twins are continually seen at odds, with Jacob winning out over his older brother time and again. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. See also 'Christian Year' (Second Sunday in Lent), with the appended note: "Esau's probation, as far as his birthright was concerned, was quite over when he uttered the cry in the text. Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse, Brothers at War (When You've Been Wronged) But Esau thought, by pleasing his parents in one thing, to atone for other wrong doings. Many passages teach that God will accept anyone who is repentant toward him. Behold, your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above. The Hebrew word for plain is the same word translated in other Scripture as perfect, upright, undefiled. But the Bible strongly condemns them. Attach an asterisk (*) to the end of a word as a wildcard. Jacob finally left when it became clear Labans sons resented him (Genesis 31:1-2). Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. Though Jacob practically stole the blessing, he went on to become a great nation. This is because of the prophecies of Ovadyahu, more specifically, this verse: Obadiah 1:18 He has contributed over 1,000 articles to various publications, including interviews for Christian Communicator and book reviews for The Evangelical Church Library Association. Esau had been out early in the morning hunting and he was very hungry. 6. We first see discord between the brothers when Jacob barters his brother out of his birthright. How do you ensure that a red herring doesn't violate Chekhov's gun? In fact, we may wonder why the manipulative and selfish Jacob is even considered a hero of faith at all. I loved Jacob, 3 but Esau I hated. Ultimately, salvation occurs not through our own mastery or expertise, but in responding to the gracious invitation of our ever-loving Lord. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. WebEsau was at this time a man of mature age, being either fifty-seven or seventy-seven years old, and must have been acquainted with the heavenly oracle (Genesis 25:23) that assigned the precedence in the theocratic line to Jacob. The best the earth could produce. rev2023.3.3.43278. But then you will grow restless, you will throw his yoke off your neckGenesis 27:39-40. See to it that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau. A primary particle; opposite, i.e. Esau, also called Edom, in the Old Testament (Genesis 25:1934; 27; 28:69; 32:321; 33:116; 36), son of Isaac and Rebekah, elder twin brother of Jacob, and in Hebrew tradition the ancestor of the Edomites. After leaving Laban, Jacob sent messengers toEdom, where Esau had settled. Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. Esau didnt die and go to hell, but he was excluded from Gods plan in the world. Who for one morsel of meat.--Better, who for one meal sold his own birthright (Genesis 25:29-34). If Abel believed, would it not be likely that his brother Cain would as well? Esau, by giving away his birthright, gave away cows, sheep, goats, land, servants, money, and his family blessing for one bowl of stew that probably made his stomach hurt all night. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau] It is true that the blessing of Esau when rightly translated, Behold thy dwelling shall be away from the fatness of the earth and away from the dew of blessing (Genesis 27:39) reads more like a curse; but the next verse (40) involves a promise of ultimate freedom, and Esau obtained the blessings of that lower and less spiritual life for which he was alone fitted by his character and tastes. the blessing] with tears." They wept, and Esau asked about the animals Jacob had sent, protesting that he didnt need a gift (33:4-9). One of Dr. Newman's Parochial Sermons ("Life the Season of Repentance," vol. Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse, Jacob and Esau, Part 2 AC Op-amp integrator with DC Gain Control in LTspice, Linear Algebra - Linear transformation question. John 1:18), would have evangelized both Cain and Abel. Yes, it is, Jacob smiled. 4 Things You May Not Know About Abraham in the Bible 20 Facts You May Not Know About Moses from the Bible Who Was Mary Magdalene in the Bible? It is also the essential division that the Lord affirmed at the beginning of this book, when he said, Yet I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated (1:23). Esau was born first and thereby became legal heir to the family birthright which included, among other things, being heir to the Covenant between God and Abraham. Isaac was confused that this man sounded like his son Jacob (Genesis 27:22), but the mans arms felt hairy like his son Esau. Jacob feared that his children would never be free of Esau's domination, but God assured him that at the End of Days, Edom too would come falling down. The warning to them is similar to those of Hebrews 6:4, etc., and Hebrews 10:26, etc., to the effect that sacred privileges, if persistently slighted, may be lost beyond recovery. Like Sarah, Rebekah had difficulty conceiving (Genesis 25:21). The hell he was entering into he found to be totally miserable, and he wanted out. Indeed, the way Cain is written about in 1 John 3 suggests he is a believer, not an unbeliever. Dr. Charles Stanley, Don't Trade Your Blessings for a Bowl: Let God Fill You Up 2 For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter. My son, he called out to him. By your sword you shall live, and you shall All rights reserved. WebOur Father in Heaven, who knew us all before we were born, answered: Two nations are in thy womb, Esau was born first, but in the womb Jacob took hold on Esaus heel (Gen 25:26). Who Was Isaiah & Why Was He Important? (12:1617). [2] Archer, Gleason L. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. Registered User On the surface, their acts against God do not seem as wicked as those of many brutal and heartless pagans. Depending on our situation, it may not always be possible to make restitution (which may be what Jacob was aiming for with his gift of livestock). One day he had made some of his delicious stew that everyone liked. Hence, if "it" refers to "repentance," it must be repentance, i.e. By his instructive example, Esau warns us to hold firm to what is truly valuable, even if it means rebuking the desires of the flesh. When Esau finally woke up to some extent and realized what he had forsaken, he made a half-hearted attempt to retrieve it. And you wont know until you die. He would enjoy abundance Plenty of corn and wine abundance of the bounty of the earth. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? This competition continued even when Jacob and Esau were coming out of the womb: Esau came out first, but Jacob came out a moment later, grabbing his brothers heel (Genesis 25:24). In other cases the evidence would be compelling if our theology allows for carnally-minded believers. Rather than being continuously at odds, what if the two chose to bless each other instead? The more positive events of his life, such as his vision of the angelic ladder, his marrying of Rachel, and his wrestling with the angel of the Lord, all occur against the backdrop of his constant deceit. Esau is a Hebrew word that can mean hairy and refers to Esau being born with red skin and lots of hair. Failure to do so doesnt prove we arent born again. But in Genesis, God seems favorable towards Ishmael (Gen. 21:16ff) and Esau seems repentant (Gen. 33). The text says definitively that Isaac, who had a taste for while game, loved Esau; but Rebekah loved Jacob (Genesis 25:28) The parents stoke the fires of rivalry between the two boys by placing one child over the other. Scripture testifies that the two twins, born of Rebekah, represent two opposing nations (Genesis 25:23). But his example is adduced as a warning to Christians with regard to their still more precious inheritance, which does involve their own eternal prospects. Does (repentance) refer to Esau or Isaac in Hebrews 12:17? Later in Genesis, we have every reason to believe that Esau continued to believe in and worship God. RESPONSE: Even those who disbelieve in eternal security would have difficulty with this passage. It was about which of the two sons would inherit Abrahams mantle, continuing the covenant that God had made promising Abrahammany descendants and other blessings (Genesis 17). (1) as to whether "it" () in "he sought it" refers to "repentance" () or to "the blessing" ( ); (2) as to what "place of repentance" means. Does Hebrews 12:17 mean that GRACE has an end? One cannot be faulted for questioning what this biblical account may have to teach us. Romans 9 does not say that Jacob was chosen to have everlasting life. He was totally worldly, totally secular, totally profane. Even before Jacob and Esau got out of the womb, it was clear that there would be problems. The believing readers are warned not to be like Cain. After losing his blessing, Esau laments; Isnt he rightly named Jacob? Esau was the firstborn and Jacob was born after him. He is mentioned in the Book of Genesis [3] and by the prophets Obadiah [4] and Malachi. Given Jacobs manipulative character, and the manner in which he treats Esau, what lesson are we to glean? He then blessed Jacob, a blessing that promised a number of things: Abundant food from the land (Genesis 27:28), dominance over other people (Genesis 27:29a), dominance over his brothers and deference from his mothers family (Genesis 27:29b), that whoever cursed him would be cursed, that whoever blessed him would be blessed (Genesis 27:29c). A man appeared, they wrestled, and Jacob refused to let go until after the man had blessed him. WebJacobs response, seeing in Esau the face of God (v. 10), shows just how far he has come: As Jacob had seen the face of God in the struggle and reconciliation with the wrestler, Olson writes, so Jacob sees the face of God in the face of his reconciled enemy/brother who had sought to kill him. But is this reputation really deserved? Jacob made Esau swear togive up his birthright (the firstborn sons share of the estate), and then gave him the stew (Genesis 25:27-34). Over the following centuries, the Edomites were often enemies of Israel, although not always actively fighting them. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Hebrews12:17 speaks of Esau's repentance, but also says that it was not genuine. Because we dont want you to incur expenditure for which you are not prepared, could you please confirm whether you are willing to pay this charge, if necessary? My code is GPL licensed, can I issue a license to have my code be distributed in a specific MIT licensed project? Esaus family had a history of conventional wisdom being reversed. Attach a tilde (~) to the front of a word to omit results containing that word. God raised them up as enemies to Solomon (1 Kings 11:14), and on one occasion, the Edomites cheered as Jerusalem fell (Psalm 137:7). This birthright was a link in the line of descent through which the Promised Messiah was to come (Numbers 24:17-19). Who Were the 12 Disciples of Jesus? My son, he called out to him. The blessings of God do not necessarily remove us from the difficulties of life. With the encouragement of Rebekah, however, Jacob poses as Esau and steals his fathers blessing. And Esau said to Jacob, Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted! (Therefore his name was called Edom.) Can we lose our salvation permanently? Worried that Esau still wanted revenge, Jacob sent him a gift and split his company into two groups (Genesis 32:7-21). Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me . For he found no place of repentance, although with tears he had sought it. He bitterly regretted, but he did not repent. What sort of strategies would a medieval military use against a fantasy giant? When God (the preincarnate Jesus) tells Cain he must be vagabond as punishment for murdering Abel, Cain pleads with Him. Whether this was meant as a rebuke to Esau or a prophecy of what would logically follow since Jacob had gotten the blessing, is hard to say. and you will serve your brother. Isaac the father of Esau and Jacob was apparently not aware that Jacob had bought the firstborn right (Genesis 25:23). Instead, Esau forgave Jacob and they reconnected. This time around, the reversal wouldnt just involve the younger son being dominant: it would be a competition that affected nations. WebKorah (Hebrew: Qra; Arabic: Qrn), son of Izhar, is an individual who appears in the Book of Numbers of the Hebrew Bible and four different verses in the Quran, known for leading a rebellion against Moses.Some older English translations, as well as the DouayRheims Bible, spell the name Core, and many Eastern European translations have Issac asked Esau to go hunt for a special meal after which he would pass the blessing. A survey of Old Testament introduction (3rd. WebAnd you think you'll ever see heaven? Based on the OT, we know that Jacob was chosen to be in the line of the Messiah. And consequently, hatred among Christians is the sign of the absence of life. From pernemi; a prostitute, i.e. 6:37). Relentless Pursuit Mark 7:21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Acts 15:20,29 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood, Genesis 25:31-34 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. How Daniels Prophecy of 70 Weeks Connects to the End Times. Like his parentsSarah couldnt have children and laughed when God announced she would finally have oneIsaac and his wife initially struggled to have children. Mark 10:1722). 25:33). One need only follow the history of the Edomite nation to see which of these two reasons is correct. Of course, Peter, too, was of the wicked one, when he suggested that Jesus would never go to the cross. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me? The Theft of Esaus Blessing - Eventually, Isaac grew so old that he could not see. Esau would have to serve his brother and would not inherit the land of his father. ); also Matthew 7:22, etc. Jacob and Esau are complete opposites. 2023 Grace to You. This is why Jacob fears reunification. 10:26). Accordingly, we have updated our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions in order to comply with GDPR. supra, Hebrews 6:6). WebOne day, he called his eldest son Esau. Agriculturally He would enjoy The fatness of the earth, i.e. WebEsau took his wives from the Canaanites: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah the daughter of Anah the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite, and Basemath, Ishmael's daughter, the sister of Nebaioth. He also maintains his own blogrevkylenorman.ca. Changing Theological Landscapes (Heb 13:8). After clicking 'Register', you will receive an email with a link to verify your account and to complete your registration. We sent you an email. Isaac gave Jacob a particular blessing: and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. However, not all brothers were rivals before they were even born. WebEsau [a] is the elder son of Isaac in the Hebrew Bible. WebSee that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. See our earlier article Eternal Security.. It proves we are not yet fit to reign with Jesus in His coming kingdom. Hebrews12:15-16 states that Esau was a godless man who fell short of God's grace. The Lord spoke his word to Israel through Malachi. Web1 This is a divine revelation. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Jacob is his direct opposite. dew of heaven from above. vegan) just to try it, does this inconvenience the caterers and staff? Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. Esau is described as a skillful hunter, red in hue, and covered with hair. In https://biblehub.com/genesis/27-39.htm, 12 versions translate it as "away from" fatness of the land and 7 versions say Esau would dwell in the fatness of the land. Abraham made his fortune by leaving his fathers land (Genesis 12:1-3), then letting his nephew Lot get the best-looking land (Genesis 13:1-7). 10 Reasons God Might Not Be Blessing Your Life, Inspiring Mother Breaks Down after Earning Golden Buzzer with Celine Dion Hit, 7 Things that Will Keep Me from Coming Back to Your Church, 6 Truths about Jesus Coming into the World, 9 Christians You Don't Want to Sit Beside on Sunday Morning, 10 Things You Should Know about the Intermediate State of Death, 'You Raise Me Up' Duet Earns A Standing Ovation From The Judges, 7 Things I Would Do Differently if I Were Raising My Children Again. This paints a pretty dark picture of him. Jacob and Esaus uniqueness is woven into their very creation. Wouldnt the warning make more sense if a fellow saint were the one who fell? E. Esau became a _____ and man of the field and Jacob became a _____ man and a dweller in tents !! Contrary to how its often explained, forgiveness doesnt act like wrong things didnt happen. His fathers blessing is met only with murderous threats and familial isolation. When he reached his mothers country he met his uncle Laban and worked for Laban for seven years to marry Labans daughter Rachel. And if the passage before us seems to imply, according to one view of it, what the former ones were found not to do, the possible inefficacy of a true repentance, however late, - we may say that, even if this is implied of Esau with respect to his lost blessing, it is not therefore necessarily implied of Christians with respect to their personal salvation; or that, if it is implied of them, it is not till their probation in this life is over that a "place of repentance" in this sense can for them be found no more (cf. . 4851 S I-35E Suite 203, Corinth, TX 76210 [1] Archer, G., Jr. (1994). change of mind, in Isaac that is meant, or rather in God, against whose will Isaac could not go; cf. Romans 9 seems to put them in the non-elect category. Jacob had to insist that Esau take his gifts (Genesis 33:8-11). This is the fundamental fault line that divides humanity in two, running through all other divisions of race, class, gender, and social standing. In fact, at times, the blessings of God can actually call us into places of hardship or struggle. The Reverend Dr. Kyle Norman is the Rector of St. Pauls Cathedral, located in Kamloops BC, Canada. away from the earths richness, WebJacob and Esau were twin brothers born to Isaac and Rebekah. He had no regard for the good, the truthful, the divine. till God thunders upon them out of heaven. The Talmud learns that the day of Abrahams death was the same day Esau violated a young bride and committed Permitted to be trodden, accessible. Does Counterspell prevent from any further spells being cast on a given turn? Your dwelling will be From Cain and Abel onward, many brothers have been rivals. Of course, since many commentators are convinced John was presenting Cain as a prototypical unbeliever, they assume as well that Johns readers include unbelievers. Early on, he had visions in his sleep, of a ladder leading to heaven (Genesis 28:10-22). Believers are not always faithful, kind, and loving. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. Worried this was an army coming to kill him, Jacob sent out a gift of livestock to Esau and cautiously began moving toward a place where they could meet. Proud member Ebrard's remark, that his conduct as related in Genesis 33, shows "a changed heart," and hence a true repentance, is not to the point. Esau chose hunting and agriculture, while Jacob preferred the breeding and tending of animals. WebEsau came back much later not knowing what had happened. Jacob is not called to be Esau, nor is Esau called to be Jacob. Commentary on Genesis 28:6-9 (Read Genesis 28:6-9) Good examples impress even the profane and malicious. Before their births, God knew that Esau's descendants would become enemies of Israel for generations to come and He knew Jacob was a man of integrity. (deceiver) (Genesis 37:36, parentheses added). The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? WebEsau was faint with hunger because he had been very busy that day. Esau became a man of the field and a hunter. He had preordained that Jacob would be in the lineage of Jesus. If Cain were viewed by John and his readers as an unregenerate man, this would be an odd warning since John indicated the readers were not only regenerate, but also strong in the faith (2:12-14, 20, 27). Did this satellite streak past the Hubble Space Telescope so close that it was out of focus? We can easily assume that the life of blessing involves an easy and trouble-free existence. Against it is the consideration that such is not the more obvious meaning of "he found no place of repentance," taken by itself, especially as is always elsewhere in the New Testament (though not always in the LXX.) He then moved Leah and her children to the front of his group, Rachel and Joseph to the back, and approached Esau in a humble pose (Genesis 33:1-3). The references to cursing and blessing repeated Gods words to Abraham when he left Haran (Genesis 12:3). Fortunately for Jacob, Rebekah learned about his plans and convinced Isaac to send Jacob away on the pretense of finding a wife among her people. WebEsau didnt die and go to hell, but he was excluded from Gods plan in the world. Then the Lord extends mercy to Cain and puts a sign on him so that no one would kill him. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/hebrews/11-20.htm, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. Rather than thinking carefully about what he was losing (or what happened to his fathers six brothers who didnt get any birthright), Esau just wanted food: Look, I am about to die What good is the birthright to me? (Genesis 25:32). He was totally worldly, This was sufficient to win the lawsuit brought against him by his brothers.[1] Furthermore, the Nuzi documents support the practice of selling your birthright, as seen in Esau and Jacob (Gen. Esau not only looked like an outdoorsman (hairy body, red skin), he had outdoorsy interestsa skillful hunter, a man of the open country (Genesis 25:27). He had fully apostatized, and was forever outside the pale of Gods grace. God chooses that which is weak in the eyes of the world to testify to the surpassing greatness of Gods own power. Read the Biblical account of these two important Old Testament brothers in the Scripture below, followed by helpful commentary and video, audio Bible studies. Of Hebrew origin; Esau, an Edomite. This figure of speech is sometimes called a Semitism.) Despite the rivalry, favoritism, deception, anger, and discord, the account of Jacob and Esau testifies to a God who continually works within human life. WebThe gist of the prophecy is actually a curse, predicting that Esau's descendants would dwell away from fertile lands and plentiful rainfall, live in near-constant conflict, and serve heathenish, wicked. Web(16) Lest there be.--Better (as in the last verse), whether there be. Jacob is the consummate manipulator and comes across us unyieldingly selfish. I now consider this way of viewing people like Esau and Cain as Biblical. The story of Jacobs son Joseph, another younger son who dominated his siblings, takes up the rest of Genesis. Im glad theres room in Jesus kingdom for people who are less than perfect. If "it" refers to "repentance," it is difficult to see how Esau's own repentance can be meant; for not only does seeking repentance with tears seem in itself to imply the capability of it, but also the "great and exceeding bitter cry" to which allusion is made was, not because he could not himself repent, but because he could not get the blessing. That made him the primary inheritor of Isaacs estate. Genesis 28-31 describes Jacobs adventures in Paddan Aram, including marrying two wives and amassing his own fortune as a herdsman. Though Jewish tradition (see, for example, the Targum of Palestine on Genesis 25:29) affirms that Esau was a man of impure life, it is not probable that he is so represented in this verse.Here he is mentioned as a type of "the profane," who care not for divine things, but only for the gains and Even if we feel that forgiveness or restoration is impossible, God is able to soften the hardest of hearts and work reconciliation amongst family members or friends. Their skills and aptitudes are gifts of God. Isaac was now an old man, nearly blind, and wanted to give his blessing to his oldest son before he died. According to Genesis 27:39-40, Isaac did extend to Esau the following blessing. Why did Ukraine abstain from the UNHRC vote on China? The night before they met, God appeared to Jacob and named him Israel, an experience that humbled Jacob but confirmed God was still with him and would carry on the covenant through Jacob (Genesis 32:22-32). Is the blessing of the father included in the birthright? ed., p. 179). While their competition with each other is legendary, the fact that they forgave and reconciled is an equally powerful story. Richard Allen: Freedom Without Equality Is Not Freedom at All. This article is part of our People of Christianity catalog that features the stories, meaning, and significance of well-known people from the Bible and history. 44 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Importantly, this may take some time. Perhaps the saddest and most godless person in Scripture outside of Judas is Esau. Jacob put on Esaus clothes and goatskin on his hands, took some food his mother had made, and went to his father (Genesis 27:5-17). But you ask, How did you love us?. Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In some of the cases listed above, we are specifically told that they did believe. What Was Lonnie Frisbee's Role in the Jesus Movement? They knew His word, had heard His promises, had seen His miracles, and had had fellowship with His people; yet with determined willfulness they turned their backs on God and the things of God. Or, than. The Bible tells us that they struggled together in Rebekah's womb, a foreshadowing of their troubled relationship. Can we find anything redeemable in the story of these two warring brothers? WebEsau focused more on earthly things than on the things of God. This article is part of our People from the Bible Series featuring the most well-known historical names and figures from Scripture. Did Ishmael and/or Esau go to heaven? Copyright 2002-2023 Got Questions Ministries. WebThis promise looks as high as heaven, of which Canaan was a type. such change of mind] with tears;" or, "When he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected (for he found no place of repentance), though he sought it [i.e. CLAIM: Hebrews states, See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; 16 that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. I remember what a paradigm shift it was for me when I came to view Esau and Cain and others like them as most likely being believers. God is present in the lives of these people. the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. However, this does not mean we should not repent of our wrongdoing, forgive our wrongdoers, and work toward reconciling. The elder will serve the younger.. The boys grew, each pursuing different occupations. Thats it. These blessings are immediate and temporal. WebThis promise looks as high as heaven, of which Canaan was a type. Strong Exegesis of Hebrews 12:15 "fail of the grace of God" in what sense? Esau not only was immoral, but was godless. . Up, over, back, etc. What he rejects is not the real heaven (nobody will be boring in heaven), and what he wants is not the real hell, but the tolerable hell of his Esau wept bitterly that he could not repent (Hebrews 12:17). When Esau returned home that evening, Esau walked passed Jacob's tent. (25:32-34). The natural world would be made to respond to this man's status before the Lord. Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. Believers sometime do terrible things, like when David committed adultery and then had Uriah killed, or when Cain was jealous of his brother and murdered him. The following is an excerpt from The MacArthur New Testament Commentary on Hebrews 12. Unfortunately, Jacob and Esau rarely work together. used for a person's change of mind with respect to his own misdoings (cf. 4 And all the host of heaven shall be We are compelled, therefore, to find in this word a declaration of the sovereign counsel of God as it is concerned with the ultimate destinies of men (Romans, vol. Once Isaac blessed Jacob, this deathbed will was irreversible.