Genesis 28:9

So Esau went to Ishmael and took Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife in addition to the wives he had. (Genesis 28:9 NKJV)

If we are not obedient to God, we will always try to be good enough on our own strength, our own ideas, our own merit. And we will always fail. I'm sure that Esau's third wife did not make matters better for Rebekah. It probably caused more headache for everyone. Sin does that. It not only affects the sinner, but also everyone around the sinner. I'm sure we've all been affected and hurt by people we love making their own decisions about their own lives.

Genesis 27:42

And the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said to him, “Surely your brother Esau comforts himself concerning you by intending to kill you. (Genesis 27:42 NKJV)

Why do we find pleasure in the punishment of the wicked? Justice? That's what we call it, but I think the true monster is vengeance. We are more upset if we are the one that is sinned against and we hope for a greater punishment. If we are not asking every crime, no matter who it committed against, to be treated the same, then we are fooling ourselves asking for justice. We are asking for vengeance, which is not ours to have in the first place. Besides, how many crimes have we committed and escaped punishment? Just because no one saw us do it, and we call it a victimless crime, as long as no one got hurt, doesn't mean that we didn't become law breakers... Criminals. We deserve justice played out on us, but we don't get it. That is called Mercy. Look up what Jesus says about justice and look up what He says about mercy and see if you can figure out which He prefers to give.

Genesis 27:38

And Esau said to his father, “Have you only one blessing, my father? Bless me—me also, O my father!” And Esau lifted up his voice and wept. (Genesis 27:38 NKJV)

If only fathers blessed their kids now. The blessing from Isaac was sought after by his children. Why don't we do the same for ours? We want the, to do well, but why don't we come in the confidence of The Lord and pronounce a blessing over their lives? I know at this particular blessing is prophecy and not every an has that gift. But non-Christians say things in toasts that mean nothing more than their best wishes. Why can't we, in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit, speak the blessings of God into someone's life. At least speak the blessings the Bible promises.

Genesis 27:34

When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, “Bless me—me also, O my father!” (Genesis 27:34 NKJV)

When we miss out on God's blessings, we cry out. Jacob wronged his brother here and it leads to murderous thoughts in Esau. Esau already sold his birthright because he wasn't as interested in his birthright as he was in his blessings. Birthright was responsibility. Blessings are gifts. He wanted the gifts, but not the responsibility. Doesn't that sound like our culture today?

Genesis 26:34-35

When Esau was forty years old, he took as wives Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. And they were a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah. (Genesis 26:34, 35 NKJV)

Esau took wives from the people around him and they were a grief to Isaac and Rebekah. It is important who you marry. You are single handedly bringing someone foreign into the family. Their ideas may clash with e ideas of your family and strife ensues. Consider your family when you choose a spouse. If they don't get along, you have a lifetime of strife. But things were even more tumultuous back then. When Esau got married, he didn't move out, his wives moved in. This prompted Isaac and Rebekah to send Jacob back to Rebekah's family so he wouldn't choose a wife from the locals. (This doesn't mean that your family has to approve. It's better that God approves than your family. But keep it in mind.)

Genesis 26:24

And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake.” (Genesis 26:24 NKJV)

That is the best reason to not be afraid. God is with us. I know that this particular promise is to Isaac and the Jewish people, but the first part of the promise has been made to us too. God is with us. Jesus is called Immanuel, which means God with us, and He is. The Father desires us to be with Him. Jesus died to make it so, and the Holy Spirit dwells within us. How blessed are we?

Genesis 26:9

Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Quite obviously she is your wife; so how could you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac said to him, “Because I said, ‘Lest I die on account of her.’ ” (Genesis 26:9 NKJV)

Sometimes we try to do things our own way and it doesn't quite work out. The non-believing world ends up calling us out. How embarrassing! But better to be called out than to dwell in sin. Stop doing this your own way. Live on faith in God. He blessed Isaac anyways through the Godly fear in Abimelech. But I think Abimelech got blessed more by not sinning than Isaac did in riches.

Genesis 25:32

And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?” (Genesis 25:32 NKJV)

Can you say Drama? Esau was so hungry that he thought he was going to die. He figured the birthright wasn't worth anything when you're dead, so he gave it up. He was a man ruled by his lists. He wanted what he wanted then instead of waiting and working to get something better. We are like him sometimes. We make rash decisions to get what we want and lose out on a better thing to fill our temporary desires. There will always be Jacobs in this world to take advantage of Esaus. Today, we call them scammers, frauders, politicians.

Genesis 25:28

And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. (Genesis 25:28 NKJV)

The parents played favorites. Just because the Bible has an example doesn't mean it's a good example. The Bible shows how this plays out, and God's Word is fulfilled, but strife ensues. Aren't we blessed to be who God loves? To know that He loves me enough for Jesus to die on the cross. There is no higher price that He could have paid, so that means that I'm His favorite! We are all His favorite and I never have to worry about gaining His favor because I already have it! If the favor of The Lord isn't reason enough to praise Him, then I don't know what is.