The Everlasting Covenant

Esau’s Followers

Esau was not the only foolish and profane person there has been in the world. Thousands have done the same thing that he did, even while blaming him for his folly. The Lord has called us all to share the glory of the inheritance which he promised to Abraham. By the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead He has begotten us again to a living hope, “to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” ² This inheritance of righteousness we are to have through the obedience of faith— obedience to God’s holy law, the ten commandments. But when men learn that it requires the observance of the seventh day, the Sabbath kept by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all Israel, they shake their heads. “No,” say they, “I cannot do that; I should like to, and I see that it is a duty; but if I should keep it I could not make a living. I should be thrown out of employment, and should starve together with my family.” EVCO 130.3

That is just the way Esau reasoned. He was about to starve, or, at least, he thought that he was, and so he deliberately parted with his birthright for something to eat. But most men do not even wait until they are apparently at the point of death, before they sell their right to the inheritance for something to eat. They imagine dangers that do not exist. Men do not starve to death for serving the Lord. We are entirely dependent upon Him for our life under all circumstances, and if He keeps us when we are trampling on His law, He surely is as able to keep us when we are serving Him. EVCO 131.1

The Saviour says that to worry over the future, fearing lest we should starve, is a characteristic of heathenism, and gives us this positive assurance, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” ¹ EVCO 131.2

The Psalmist says, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread.” ² EVCO 131.3

Even though we should lose our lives for the sake of the truth of God, we should be in good company. (See Hebrews 11:32-38.) Let us beware of so lightly esteeming the rich promises of God that we shall part with an eternal inheritance for a morsel of bread, and when it is too late find that there is no place for repentance. EVCO 131.4

“My Father is rich in houses and lands,
He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands;
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,
His coffers are full—He has riches untold.
“I’m the child of a King, the child of a King;
With Jesus, my Saviour, I’m the child of a King.
“My Father’s own Son, the Saviour of men,
Once wandered o’er earth as the poorest of them;
But now He is reigning for ever on high,
And will give me a home in heaven by-and-by.
“I once was an outcast stranger on earth,
A sinner by choice, and an alien by birth;
But I’ve been adopted, my name’s written down—
An heir to a mansion, a robe, and a crown.
“A tent or a cottage, why should I care?
They’re building a palace for me over there!
Though exiled from home, yet still I may sing,
All glory to God, I’m the child of a King!” EVCO 132.1