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Profane Esau. Hebrews 12:14-17. Context. Pursue sanctification Cannot see God without it (vv. 14, 15) Notice it must be pursued Avoid defilement Brings rejection (vv. 16, 17) Can escape from it (2 Peter 2:20) Seek forgiveness when we are defiled. Definitions. English
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Profane Esau Hebrews 12:14-17
Context • Pursue sanctification • Cannot see God without it (vv. 14, 15) • Notice it must be pursued • Avoid defilement • Brings rejection (vv. 16, 17) • Can escape from it (2 Peter 2:20) • Seek forgiveness when we are defiled
Definitions • English • “To violate or treat with irreverence or contempt (something regarded as sacred), to desecrate.” (Webster) • In other words, to profane is to take something sacred and fail to respect it
Definitions • Greek • From bebelos and means “unhallowed, profane (opposite to hieros, sacred), and is used of persons (1 Timothy 1:9; Hebrews 12:16); things (1 Timothy 4:7; 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:16), and that ‘the natural antagonism between the profane and the holy grew into a moral antagonism . . . accordingly that
Definitions • Greek (continued) • “bebelos is that which lacks all relationship or affinity to God (Cremer)’” (Vine’s Dictionary) • It is not just foul language, swearing, or cursing, but is an attitude of indifference and/or contempt for what is sacred
Background • Began with Abraham • God’s promise (Genesis 12:1-3) • Repeated to Isaac (Genesis 25:21-23; 26:3-5) • Interesting aspect of the twins • Conflict before birth (Genesis 25:22) • Choice before birth (Romans 9:10-13)
Despised His Birthright • Significance of the birthright • Headship of the family (Genesis 27:29) • Double portion of the estate (Deuteronomy 21:15-17) • Something special in this case • Being in the patriarchal line • Influenced by Rebekah’s favoritism?
Despised His Birthright • Applications • Don’t sell our “birthright” (Hebrews 12:16) • One can fail to receive a blessing
Why Did It Happen? • Acted impulsively • Didn’t think of consequences (Genesis 28:8, 9) • Like Lot (Genesis 13:12, 13) • Often repeated by us in choosing a job, friends, a mate, etc.
Why Did It Happen? • Sacrificed the future for the present • Think only of today (1 Corinthians 15:32-34) • Gave up his future due to hunger • Remember our purpose (Ecclesiastes 12:13; 1 Peter 1:9)
Why Did It Happen? • Placed the flesh ahead of the spiritual • Not wrong to be hungry • Must control fleshly appetites (1 Corinthians 6:12, 13) • Know what is important (Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 11:24-26)
Why Did It Happen? • Forsook what is good to avoid pain • Job’s wife (Job 2:9) • Tested like Abraham (Genesis 22:1-14) • Will we pass the test? (Hebrews 12:5-11; James 1:2-4)
Why Did It Happen? • Are we like Esau? • Have forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:7-9) • Privilege of prayer (James 5:15, 16; 1 Peter 3:12) • Don’t sell out for a bowl of pottage (Hebrews 6:18, 19)
Conclusion • Are you a Christian? • Have you sold your “birthright’?