Godlessness is Immorality

Scripture: See to it that no one becomes like Esau, an immoral and godless person, who sold his birthright for a single meal. You know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, even though he sought the blessing with tears. Hebrews 12:16-17

Observation: In discussing how the Jews are to embrace their faith in the Lord, Esau is used as an example of "an immoral and godless person." The justification for such an accusation is this ... that he devalued the Lord's provision in his life to the point that he considered it trivial.

In this passage, we are reminded that Esau considered his birthright - the collective blessings of land and wealth and status that the Lord gave to Isaac, and the covenant blessing of God that was to be passed through their family - of so little value that he traded it for one bowl of stew. We know he went on to place little if any value in the Lord throughout his life. He married foreign wives against his parents' wishes, and he pledged to kill his brother.

Yes, Esau ended up with a good life by earthly standards ... he grew prosperous, lived a full life, and eventually settled in a land and became the patriarch of the nation of Edom. However, he had a poor life by heavenly standards ... he never again was close to his family, was troubled by his wives, and his namesake nation was little, troubled, and eventually destroyed.

There is not a lot of evidence about the "immorality" of Esau in the context of "sin". However, there is evidence of how he actively distanced himself from God. In this, we see the lesson is that rejecting God is the act that best defines immorality.

Application: As I prayed yesterday, I wish to be all the more closer to the Lord in my daily thoughts, prayer life, and actions. While sin can separate us from God - and Jesus washes away that sin to give us access to God - the fact is that the truly immoral act of the world is rejecting the Lord. It is in that rejection that all other trouble resides, for individuals and for communities and for nations. But especially individuals.

I continue to hope that, for people who have rejected Jesus Christ, we can help them first find the truth about the Lord God - Yahweh Adonai - the almighty creator of heaven and earth. Returning to God is not the final goal of the gospel, but it is on the path.

Prayer: Lord, this is an immoral time and place, and it is clear this immorality exists because large numbers of people have fully rejected you. They are Godless. During the Christmas holidays, may we help return you to their hearts with an understanding of your existence and your love. Amen.