14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.
Hebrews 12:14-17 (ESV)
Supremacy of holiness
It’s ESV again today for the choice of holiness in V14 which pairs nicely with v16 and highlights the main point of the passage – Seek to be holy, not like Esau. Strive for peace and holiness. Don’t just work at it or try for it. For the readers then, peace was likely with their persecutors. They’d have to forgive them and accept, by faith, God’s purpose in their trials. This leads to holiness, which is necessary to see God. Barnes explains the use of “see” – that everyone will “see” God on the day of judgment. The “see” in this verse gives the sense of being with someone (God), dwelling with them, enjoying them. Cf Mt 5:8. What could be more important? What could be more impossible?
Exhortation
The exhortations continue in v15 with one to re-confirm our own faith, to, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith”, 2 Cor 13:5. We are also to be on guard for a root that grows undetected until it springs up producing bad fruit and brings trouble, even causing some to become defiled, or unholy. It’s likely a reference to false preachers or those like…
Unholy, immoral Esau
Isaac’s two sons were Esau (the eldest, and heir to promise) and Jacob. Jacob took advantage of Esau to get the birthright (the “single meal”). Later, as Isaac was about to die, Jacob, with his mother, Rachel, tricked him into blessing Jacob with the birthright to “seal the deal”. See Gen 25:29-34. Poor Esau? No. He disregarded his birthright and the promise. His sexual immorality is indicated in his marriage to many (foreign) wives. Gen 36:2. Chapter 11 honors the faith of those (like Abraham) who received and held onto the promises. Esau is presented as the contrary, unholy, example.
Repentance?
Finally, Esau’s rejection was likely due to his own inability to repent. JFB commentary suggests, “What proves his tears were not those of one seeking true repentance is, immediately after he was foiled in his desire, he resolved to murder Jacob!” Let us examine ourselves and seek to be holy.
