Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

the disappointment that must come upon his older son, yet the
conviction flashed into his mind that it was God's leading that had
brought about the very thing he had determined to prevent. He
remembered the words of the angel to Rebekah, and he saw in Jacob
the one best fitted to accomplish the purpose of God. While the
words of blessing were upon his lips, he had felt the Spirit of
Inspiration upon him; and now he confirmed the benediction he had
unwittingly pronounced on Jacob: "I have blessed him--and indeed
he shall be blessed."
Esau Could Not Repent
Esau had lightly valued the blessing when it seemed within his
reach, but now that it was gone from him his grief and rage were
terrible. "Bless me--me also, O my father! ... Have you not reserved
a blessing for me?" But the birthright that he had so carelessly
bargained away he could not regain. Esau sold his inheritance "For
one morsel of food," for a momentary gratification of his appetite
that had never been restrained.
But when he saw his folly, it was too late to recover the
blessing. "He found no place for repentance, though he sought it
diligently with tears" (Hebrews 12:17). Esau was not shut out from
seeking God's favor by repentance, but he could find no way to
recover the birthright. His grief did not spring from conviction of
sin; he did not desire to be reconciled to God. He sorrowed because
of the results of his sin, but not for the sin itself.
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