Esau Sells Out!

Esau Sells his Birthright to Jacob

by Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (1606 – 1669)

drawing with pen and brush ca. 1648/50 - British Museum, London

Want more: Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn biography.

This work is linked to Genesis 25:30

Below is an extract from Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan (1678, public domain). With one exception (Bible), Pilgrim's Progress was considered the most important writing in English, for a century or two.

Note: HOPE: is Hopeful, Christian's companion, CHR: is Christian, the main character of this book, on his way from the City of Destruction to the Heavenly City and RON: is me (not found in actual text)!

HOPE: Why art thou so tart, my brother? Esau sold his birthright, and that for a mess of pottage, and that birthright was his greatest jewel; and if he, why might not Little-faith do so too? (Hebrews 12:16)

CHR: Esau did sell his birthright indeed, and so do many besides, and by so doing exclude themselves from the chief blessing, as also that caitiff did; but you must put a difference betwixt Esau and Little-faith, and also betwixt their estates. Esau's birthright was typical, but Little-faith's jewels were not so; Esau's belly was his god, but Little-faith's belly was not so; Esau's want lay in his fleshly appetite, Little-faith's did not so. Besides, Esau could see no further than to the fulfilling of his lusts; "Behold, I am at the point to die, (said he), and what profit shall this birthright do me?" [Genesis 25:32] But Little-faith, though it was his lot to have but a little faith, was by his little faith kept from such extravagances, and made to see and prize his jewels more than to sell them, as Esau did his birthright.

You read not anywhere that Esau had faith, no, not so much as a little; therefore, no marvel if, where the flesh only bears sway, (as it will in that man where no faith is to resist), if he sells his birthright, and his soul and all, and that to the devil of hell; for it is with such, as it is with the ass, who in her occasions cannot be turned away. [Jer. 2:24] When their minds are set upon their lusts, they will have them whatever they cost. But Little-faith was of another temper, his mind was on things divine; his livelihood was upon things that were spiritual, and from above; therefore, to what end should he that is of such a temper sell his jewels (had there been any that would have bought them) to fill his mind with empty things? Will a man give a penny to fill his belly with hay; or can you persuade the turtle-dove to live upon carrion like the crow? Though faithless ones can, for carnal lusts, pawn, or mortgage, or sell what they have, and themselves outright to boot; yet they that have faith, saving faith, though but a little of it, cannot do so. Here, therefore, my brother, is thy mistake.

RON: Little faith is enough if it is in Christ Jesus alone!

enjoy, ron