Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

spiritual blessings of the birthright, resigned to the elder brother the
inheritance of their father's wealth, the only inheritance Esau sought
or valued. No longer alienated, they parted, Esau settling in Mount
Seir. God, who is rich in blessing, had given worldly wealth to
Jacob in addition to the higher good that he had sought. This
separation of Jacob and Esau was part of God's plan concerning
Jacob. Since the brothers differed so greatly in regard to religious
faith, it was better for them to live apart.
Both Esau and Jacob were free to walk in God's
commandments and to receive His favor, but the two brothers had
walked in different ways, and their paths would continue to diverge
more and more widely.
Esau was not shut out from the blessings of salvation by some
arbitrary choice on the part of God. Only one's own decision can
cause a person to perish. God has given in His Word the conditions
on which every soul will be chosen for eternal life--obedience to His
commandments through faith in Christ. God has chosen a character
in harmony with His law, and anyone who reaches the standard of
His requirement will enter into the kingdom of glory. Concerning
our final salvation, this is the only election brought to view in the
Word of God.
Every person is elected who will work out his or her own
salvation with fear and trembling, who will put on the armor and
fight the good fight of faith. Every one is chosen who will pray
earnestly, search the Scriptures, flee from temptation, have faith
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