By: J.M.G. — 10/24/22
Myopia/myopic is a condition in which visual images or an image come to a focus in front of the retina resulting especially in defective vision or distort objects.
In Genesis 25:19- 34 we find a spiritual myopic: the genre of two brothers, Esau and Jacob. Esau willing to sell his birthright (a double share of his father’s inheritance) for a bowl of stew. Esau represents the fleshly men, i.e. carnal man; Jacob, the spiritual man. Esau, given to carnal appetite, swore to his brother Jacob (oath) to sell his birthright for food. The New American Bible says, “So Esau treated his right as firstborn with DISDAIN” (Genesis 25:34).
Right as firstborn:
Knowing this will gives us understanding of Romans 9:13 and Malachi 1:3.
The privilege that entitled the firstborn son to a position of honor in the family and to a double share in the possessions inherited from the father. There is a persistent word play. Bible scholars point out, between “bekorah” (Hebrew) “right of the firstborn,” and “berakhah,” (Hebrew) “the blessing.” Contrary to custom, the preference here is for the younger son, as it was the choice of Isaac over Ishmael.
Have we not done foolish things also? I confess never like that of Esau but things of the flesh over the Spirit.
According to Hebrews 12:15 a bitter root can cause us to be defiled, in verse 16 Esau is mentioned “… that no one be an immoral or profane person like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal” (NAB).
It goes on to say, “For later, when he wanted to inherit his father’s blessing, he was REJECTED because he found no opportunity to change his mind, even though he sought the blessing with tears,” (v.17).
That dear ones is the penalty of disobedience and lack of love for the things of God.
How many in our generation have SOLD OUT for one reason or another? … thinking “once saved always saved”, the BIG LIE taught by many church leaders. The underline message is one can live like Hell and still go to Heaven (see my articles on this Big Lie).
Esau serves as an example in two ways:
1) his profane attitude illustrates the danger of apostasy – a renunciation/ abandonment of a former loyalty (apostate), aka backsliding/backslider. Hebrews 6:6 has the words “fallen away” (in reference, to v.4, 5, please read those). There is a debate whether “fallen away” (NAB), “fall away” (NKJV) in the margin makes the note “or and have fallen away” (past tense).
The note for Hebrews 6:6 in the NAB says, “They are re-crucifying the Son of God for themselves: a colorful description of the malice of APOSTASY, which is portrayed as again crucifying and deriding the Son of God.” Other versions agree: believers who once were His children can and do “fall away,” become apostates.
The Greek word for “fall” (in Strong’s Concordance) is “parapipto” (only times used in New Testament), meaning “to fall aside, i.e. (fig.) to apostatize,” from 2 other Greek words (1) “para” (a primary prep.) probably “from beside” (lit. or fig.), (with dative (care) at (or in) “the vicinity of” (objectives or subjective), “the proximity with.” In short, “fall away from God;” (2) “pipto,” “to fall” (lit. or fig.), fail, fall down.”
So, we can’t say a believer cannot “fall away.” Apostatize means not to return.
Esau could not find repentance! (Read Hebrews 6:6 again in several versions). (In our booklet, “Can a Saved man be Lost?,” I have dug deep into the pros/cons of Hebrews 6:6).
Malachi 1:3: “But Esau I have hated…”
Romans 9:13: “As it is written, Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”
What?
Some translations read, “I loved Jacob, but rejected Esau.” While I agree “hate” can mean “love less” (in Semitic usage). But “hate” can mean just what we think it means.
Hate: Hebrews (several words are used):
1) Satam (a prim. root), “to lurk, i.e. persecute, hate, oppose;”
2) Sane (a prim. root), “to hate (personally), enemy, foe (be) hate (ful), odious” (note: this Hebrew word is used in Malachi 1:3 under “hated”).Proverbs uses the same word in 6:16 = “These 6 things doth the LORD HATE;” see also Proverbs 8:13; Ecclesiastes 3:8;
The same Hebrew word is used in Genesis 27:41, “… Esau HATED Jacob…” If “hate” in all cases means “love less,” we ask, why do we find several words differ in meaning?
[see hate/hated/hateful/haters/hateth];
3) Saniy, “hated”
The Greek word for “hated” (ref. to Romans 9:13) is miseo, “to detest (especially to persecute), to love less, be hateful.”
If we use “love less” in every text where hate/hated is found, we must ponder: “You loved Justice and hated (miseo) wickedness…” (Hebrews 1:9). Does God/Son “love less” wickedness over justice? And, in considering Romans 9:13, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated:” would God hold back forgiveness for Esau – he sought repentance with tears but God rejected him – did He merely love him less?
The Problem:
One Christian commentator said of Genesis 25:29-34 that Esau’s mindset is that it leaves no room for things of eternal value. The Bible gives us plenty of examples where God’s people chose earthly things over spiritual things.
In this generation of apostasy it is “in your face!” Churches today (with exceptions) are no better than “glorified whorehouses” – “whoredoms, wine, and new wine enslave the heart” (Hosea 4:11 NKJV). In the Old Testament we find words like “whoredom,” “prostitution,” “harlotry,” – they are words used to portray the sinfulness of God’s people. Harlotry/prostitution/whoredom are synonyms for idolatry, i.e. the worship of another god/goddess, the covenant bond was symbolized as the relationship between husband and wife – thus, abandoning the LORD/Lord for a foreign god/goddess was called prostitution or adultery. So, am I right in calling some churches “glorified whorehouses?”
Myopic Madness:
The old saying, “Can’t see the forest for the trees” is how myopia is used in this message for this mess – age. Esau could not see beyond his immediate hunger.
He could not see the eternal value of his birthright. And many today can’t (or won’t) see the value of eternal salvation, hence, they will eventually experience the painful reality of eternal damnation!! Jesus spoke of such a place, as He did about heaven.
Be careful not to be preoccupied with immediate needs (and greeds). As Esau was rejected for wrong decisions, he, according to Scripture was never forgiven and brought back into the covenant bond. Consider the eternal outcome – Repent!