And Esau said, Behold, I [am] at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
32. I am at the point to die ] Esau’s words mean that he is dying of hunger, and has no thought of anything but the prospect of food. So LXX , Lat. en morior. A more improbable and very insipid interpretation makes Esau say, “I live as a hunter in continual danger of death.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
I am at the point to die; not with famine, which could not consist with Isaacs plentiful estate and house, but by the perpetual hazards to which his course of life exposed him in the pursuit of wild beasts, and contending with other men.
What profit shall this birthright do to me? by which he plainly showeth that his care and affections reached no further than the present life.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
32. Esau said . . . I am at thepoint to diethat is, I am running daily risk of my life; andof what use will the birthright be to me: so he despised or caredlittle about it, in comparison with gratifying his appetitehethrew away his religious privileges for a trifle; and thence he isstyled “a profane person” (Heb12:16; also Job 31:7; Job 31:16;Job 6:13; Phi 3:19).”There was never any meat, except the forbidden fruit, so dearbought, as this broth of Jacob” [BISHOPHALL].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Esau said, behold, I [am] at the point to die,…. Or, “going to die” y, going the way of all flesh; which he might say on account of the common frailty and mortality of man, and the brevity of life at most, or by reason of the danger of life he was always exposed to in hunting of wild beasts, as Aben Ezra suggests; or rather, because of his present hunger and faintness, which, unless immediately relieved, must issue in death. Dr. Lightfoot z thinks it was now the time of the famine spoken of in the following chapter, Ge 26:1:
and what profit shall this birthright do to me? a dying man, or when dead? In such a case, all the privileges of it in course would devolve on Jacob; and as for the promises of the Messiah, and of the land of Canaan, made to Abraham and his seed, these seemed to be at a great distance, and if he lived ever so long might never enjoy them; and therefore judged it most advisable to consult his present interest, and have something in hand, than to trust to futurity; and, by thus saying, he signified an entire willingness to part with his birthright on the terms proposed.
y “vadens ad moriendum”, Montanus. z Works, vol. 1. p. 15, 696.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Gen 25:32. I am at the point to die, &c. One cannot have a stronger picture of a profane, thoughtless sensualist, who, for a present momentary gratification, was willing to give up the most important spiritual blessings. His language was in the strain of the Epicureans, Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die; and the careless manner in which he behaves, Gen 25:34 serves still to shew the baseness of his mind.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
DISCOURSE: 41
THE BIRTHRIGHT TYPICAL OF THE CHRISTIANS PORTION
Gen 25:32. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
IT may be considered as a general rule, that no man abstains from any thing which he has purposed to do, for want of some excuse of expedience or necessity to justify it. A melancholy instance of infatuation we have in the history before us; an instance singular indeed as to the immediate act, but common, and almost universal, as to the spirit manifested in it. Esau, having come home from hunting unusually oppressed with fatigue and hunger, set his heart upon his brothers pottage; and not only agreed to sell his birthright for it, but confirmed with an oath the alienation of that inheritance, to which, by primogeniture, he was entitled. To justify his conduct he offered this vain and false apology, Behold, I am at the point to die; and what profit shall this birthright do to me? But the fact is, as the historian informs us, he despised his birthright.
Let us then consider,
I.
Esaus contempt of his birthright
There were many important privileges attached to primogeniture among the Jews
[The first-born was by Gods appointment to have dominion over his brethren [Note: Gen 27:29; Gen 27:37; Gen 49:3.], and to enjoy a double portion of his fathers inheritance [Note: This was not optional with the parent in any case. Deu 21:15; Deu 21:17.]. But besides these civil, there were also some sacred privileges, which he possessed. The Messiah, of whom he was to be a type, and who, in reference to the ordinances of birthright, is called the first-born among many brethren [Note: Rom 8:29.], was to spring from his loins [Note: In one instance this privilege was separated from the foregoing one; and both were alienated from the first-born; the former being given to Joseph, and the latter to Judah, as a punishment of Reubens iniquity in lying with his fathers concubine. 1Ch 5:1-2.]. Yea, in some sense, the firstborn had a better prospect even of heaven itself, than the rest of his brethren; because the expectation of the Messiah, who was to descend from him, would naturally cause him to look forward to that great event, and to inquire into the office and character which the promised seed should sustain.]
But these privileges Esau despised
[He accounted them of no more value than a mess of pottage: nor did he speedily repent of his folly and wickedness. If he had seen the evil of his conduct, he would surely have endeavoured to get the agreement cancelled; and if his brother Jacob had refused to reverse it, he should have entreated the mediation of his father, that so he might be reinstated in his natural rights. But we read not of any such endeavours: on the contrary, we are told, He did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way; so little did he value, or rather, so utterly did he despise, his birthright. On this account is he stigmatized by the Apostle, as a profane person [Note: Heb 12:16.]: had he disregarded only temporal benefits, he had been guilty of folly; but his contempt of spiritual blessings argued profaneness.]
Jacobs conduct indeed in this matter was exceeding base: but Esaus was inexpressibly vile. Yet will he be found to have many followers, if we examine,
II.
The analogy between his conduct and our own
The birthright was typical of the Christians portion
[The true Christian has not indeed any temporal advantages similar to those enjoyed by right of primogeniture: but he is made an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ. He has a distinguished interest in the Saviour, and an indisputable title to the inheritance of heaven. And hence they who have attained the full possession of their inheritance are called, The general assembly and Church of the first-born [Note: Heb 12:23.].]
But the generality are like Esau, having,
1.
The same indifference about spiritual blessings
[Some excuse may be offered for Esau, because he knew not what a Saviour, or what an inheritance, he despised. But we have had the Saviour fully revealed to us; and know what a glorious place the heavenly Canaan is. Yet too many of us think as lightly of Christ and of heaven, as if neither he nor it were worth our attention: yea, we are ready at any time to barter them away for the most trifling gratification: and what is this, but to imitate the profaneness of Esau?]
2.
The same insatiable thirst after earthly and sensual indulgence
[Though Esau pretended that he was near to die, it was only an excuse for his profane conduct; for it cannot be conceived, but that, in the house of an opulent man like Isaac, there either was, or might easily be procured, something to satisfy the cravings of nature. But he was bent upon having his brothers pottage, whatever it might cost [Note: His extreme eagerness may be seen in his words, Give me that red, red. Being captivated with the colour, he determined to get it, whatever it might be, and whatever it might cost: and from thence the name Edom, which signifies red, was given him. 0.]. And is it not so with those who yield to uncleanness, intemperance, or any base passion? Do they not sacrifice their health, their reputation, yea, their very souls, for a momentary indulgence? Do they not say, in fact, Give me the indulgence of my lust; I must and will have it, whatever be the consequence: if I cannot have it without the loss of my birthright, be it so; let my hope in Christ be destroyed; let my prospects of heaven be for ever darkened; let my soul perish; welcome hell; welcome damnation; only give me the indulgence which my soul longs after. This sounds harsh in words; but is it not realized in the lives and actions of the generality? Yes; as the wild ass, when seeking her mate, defies all endeavours to catch and detain her, so these persist in spite of all the means that may be used to stop their course; no persuasions, no promises, no threatenings, no consequences, temporal or eternal, can divert them from their purpose [Note: Jer 2:23-24.].]
3.
The same want of remorse for having sold their birthright for a thing of nought
[Never did Esau discover any remorse for what he had done: for though, when the birthright was actually given to Jacob, he cried with an exceeding bitter cry, Bless me, even me also, O my father [Note: Gen 27:34.], yet he never humbled himself for his iniquity, never prayed to God for mercy, nor endured patiently the consequences of his profaneness: on the contrary, he comforted himself with the thought, that he would murder his brother, as soon as ever his father should be dead [Note: Gen 27:41-42.]. And is it not thus also with the generality? They go on, none saying, What have I done? Instead of confessing and bewailing their guilt and folly, they extenuate to the utmost, or perhaps even presume to justify, their impieties. Instead of crying day and night to God for mercy, they never bow their knee before him, or do it only in a cold and formal manner. And, instead of submitting to the rebukes of Providence, and kissing the rod, they are rather like a wild bull in a net, determining to add sin to sin. Even Judas himself had greater penitence than they. Alas! alas! what a resemblance does almost every one around us bear to this worthless wretch, this monster of profaneness!]
Address,
1.
Those who are still despising their birthright
[Reflect a moment on your folly and your danger. Place yourselves a moment on a death-bed, and say, I am at the point to die; and what profit do my past lusts and pleasures now do me? Will ye then justify yourselves as ye now do, or congratulate yourselves on having so often gratified your vicious inclinations? Suppose on the other hand that ye were dying, like Isaac, in the faith of Christ; would ye then say, What profit shall my birthright do to me? Would it then appear a trifling matter to have an interest in the Saviour, and a title to heaven? Consider further, how probable it is that you may one day, like Esau, seek earnestly the inheritance you have sold, and yet find no place of repentance in your Fathers bosom! We mean not to say that any true penitent will be rejected: but the Apostle intimates, what daily experience proves true, that, as Esau could not obtain a revocation of his fathers word, though he sought it carefully with tears, so we may cry with great bitterness and anguish on account of the loss we have sustained, and yet never so repent as to regain our forfeited inheritance [Note: Heb 12:17.]. At all events, if we obtain not a title to heaven while we are here, we may come to the door and knock, like the foolish virgins, and be dismissed with scorn and contempt. Having sown the wind, we shall reap the whirlwind. Let us then seek the Lord while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near.]
2.
Those who value their birthright above every thing else
[Amidst the multitudes who pour contempt on spiritual blessings, there are some who know their value and taste their sweetness. But how often will temptations arise, that divert our attention from these great concerns, and impel us, with almost irresistible energy, to the commission of sin! And how may we do in one moment, what we shall have occasion to bewail to all eternity! Let us then watch and pray that we enter not into temptation: and, however firm we may imagine our title to heaven, let us beware lest our subtle adversary deprive us of it: Let us fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into the heavenly rest, any of us should seem to come short of it [Note: Heb 4:1.].]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
REFLECTIONS
It is hardly possible, to close our view of the life of Abraham, without blessing God for such an illustrious testimony as his history affords of the triumph of faith. Lord, I would say, give to me a double portion of the same spirit! But do we not behold in the Patriarch, some faint outlines of resemblance of Him, who according to the flesh, was in after ages, to be his seed! Was not Abraham, as the chosen of God and the covenant head and father of millions of redeemed souls, a lively type of that Almighty Saviour, who was set up as the Covenant head of his people; and the one chosen of the Father before all worlds, in whom all nations are blessed! It is said, that by faith the Patriarch, when he was called of God to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed and went out, not knowing whither he went! and do we not from hence call to mind, the obedience of the Son of God, who left the realms of bliss, and Came down a stranger in this strange land, that all his people might afterwards, through Him, receive the gift of an eternal inheritance? Blessed Jesus! May everything of a gracious nature in thy holy word, lead me to discover somewhat of thyself, that while I admire and learn to praise God for the exercise of the faith and grace which I behold among men, I may be looking up, with gratitude and thankfulness unto thee, who art both the Author and Giver of Faith, and of all our Mercies.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 25:32 And Esau said, Behold, I [am] at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
Ver. 32. What profit shall this birthright, &c. ] Pluris facio pulticulam bonam, quam titulam inahem. Sensualists look only at the present pleasure, and sell their souls for it. Earthly things are present and pleasant, therefore we so cleave to them; striving, like the toad, who shall fall asleep with most earth in his paws.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
me. Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6) = Brachyology. The words to be supplied are “I will sell it”. A famine accounts for the sale. See Gen 26:1.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
at the point to die: Heb. going to die
and what: Job 21:15, Job 22:17, Job 34:9, Mal 3:14
birthright: Exo 22:9
Reciprocal: Gen 37:26 – What profit Deu 21:17 – by giving Rom 3:1 – advantage
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
25:32 And Esau said, Behold, I [am] at the point to die: and what {k} profit shall this birthright do to me?
(k) The reprobate do not value God’s benefits unless they feel them presently, and therefore they prefer present pleasures.