This passage occurs first in the last prophet, Malachi 1;3 and again in Romans 9;13. First, Esau sold his birthright to his brother, Jacob, for a bowl of food. This son of a wealthy man gave up his spiritual and financial advantages simply to fill his stomach worshipping the idol of immediate gratification. Later, rather than staying with his dying father, he went hunting, allowing Jacob to steal the rest of his birthright.
There is some of Esau in all of us who move farther from God and our duty each time we give into temptations. When we formally announce that we are giving up a position that’s closer to God, we are like Esau, and run the risk of being hated by Him.
