No Place of Repentance
The technical definition of repentance is “a change
of mind.” Its contextual usage in scripture goes beyond its basic
etymological meaning to include an altered disposition of the will
that translates into a change in one’s behavior. Moreover, the
scriptures teach us that while repentance is a prerequisite for
forgiveness, it does NOT necessarily guarantee restoration of that
which might have been forfeited or lost as the result of a sinful
act.
In Hebrews 12:16-17, the writer warned readers about
the danger of being a “profane person” and cited Esau as an
example: “Who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye
know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing,
he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he
sought it carefully with tears.” No place of repentance! Esau lost
something personal, precious that he could never recover.
There is a distinct difference between repentance and
the place of repentance. Repentance is that change of mind following
an act of sin that realigns the mind of the perpetrator with the
mind of God accompanied by a measure of godly sorrow. The ‘place’ of
repentance is the actual condition or status that existed prior to
being altered by the profane act. It does NOT mean that Esau was
incapable of repentance. Nor does it mean he could not have received
forgiveness for his profane act. What it DOES mean is that it was
impossible for Esau to recover what he had lost. The birthright was
gone. Remission of sin is no guarantee that a place of recovery will
follow.
The twelfth chapter of Hebrews has been variously
interpreted as to its application. Some allege the primary
application to be Jewish brethren who had professed Christ without
possessing Christ. It seems to me that its content is applicable to
both true and faux believers alike. If the shoe fits, wear it! A
genuine child of God can struggle with profane tendencies (that
formerly ruled his or her life) long after conversion. The context
identifies two other potential trouble spots—bitterness and
fornication. What a trifecta! They are itemized in connection with
profanity for good reason. Some who named the name of Christ were
fornicating, allowing themselves to become embittered, and defiling
others in the process.
The scripture teaches us that the underlying cause
for Esau’s forfeiture of blessing to younger brother Jacob was a
profane streak. One is profane when he or she relegates the sacred
to common status. Profanity is essentially a distorted value system
that alters one’s perception of reality. Esau was profane long
before he returned hungry from his hunt. So when faced with the
option of abating his appetite by selling his birthright, it was no
more difficult than flipping a switch. His choice was made in a
moment of time, but changed his future for all time.
Esau “sought” to recover his inheritance “carefully
with tears” (12:17). The words “sought carefully” are the
translation of the verb ekzeteo (“to seek out”). The prefix
ek
intensifies the verb to indicate a vigilant search. Esau’s search
was an exhaustive one. It was no nonchalant inquiry from which the
unsuccessful petitioner might walk away saying, “Oh well!” Peter
used the very same verb to describe the OT prophets who “enquired”
and searched the scriptures diligently to learn all they could about
the salvation to come (1 Peter 1:10). The fact that Esau sought a
remedy for his dilemma with energy comparable to that of
truth-hungry prophets says it all.
The word “afterward” tells a sad story. It represents
the time when the blessing should have been inherited. No individual
has ever been more qualified for the “Shoulda-Coulda-Woulda” lament.
But thoughts of “afterward” never entered Esau’s mind as he opted
for that one morsel of meat. He sacrificed his future upon the altar
of the immediate. Have you ever patronized your favorite BBQ joint
or Buffet and wondered “Why did I do that?!” AFTER wiping out your
third plate of all-you-can-eat ribs or fried chicken? Most of us
have done so multiple times. Twenty-four hours afterward your
bloated stomach is no longer an issue. But trading a birthright (or
other precious possession) for a mess of pottage (or other fleeting
pleasure) will have you asking that heart-sickening query for the
remainder of your life!
How can one avoid
tendencies toward the profane? Or if one has been guilty of a
profane act and lost something of inestimable worth in the process,
how can he or she avoid a repeat performance? The answer can be
found in regular ingestions of the truth coupled with prayer and
meditation—a godly exercise that brings and keeps the mind in sync
with the mind of God. Synchronization of this sort arms the believer
with wisdom and strength that he or she can tap into at the moment
of temptation. The wherewithal to nurture a profane-free character
via daily vigils at the throne of grace is a sacred privilege no
believer should neglect. Failure to do so can cause us to “fail of the
grace of God” (12:15) and set us up to forfeit something
irreplaceable after a profane act has run its course.
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