Genesis 27:34Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Chrysostom, who notes that he “did not uncover true repentance.” This same teacher further explains: “Those who presume to sin without sincere longing for reform (that is, who believe there will be no consequence for their transgressions) should reflect on why Esau was denied forgiveness: because he did not repent appropriately.” We can infer that mere tears are insufficient unless accompanied by genuine repentance, along with restitution for sins, a transformation of life, and actions that demonstrate true contrition. Atonement will not bear fruit if the underlying disposition remains unchanged. What purpose does it serve to lament over sin while continuing in it? Cease, dear friend, from engaging in sinful acts, and yield fruits worthy of repentance. Then your contrite and humble heart will find favor with God (Psalm 50:19); then your repentance will hold significance when it is sincere. Let us examine the sight of Esau in his sorrow, and I wish to discern how it would have been appropriate for him to repent. Esau sobs—not merely in sadness, but in deep anguish and with a loud cry. Who could remain unmoved by such profound weeping? Who would not anticipate that he would be granted pardon by God? Who could doubt the remission of his sins? Would one not assume that a compassionate God would be touched by such immense tears? Yet, they turned out to be loathed, dismissed, and scorned: “Esau I will hate,” God declares in prophecy (Malachi 1:2). Why is this so? Let us consider. Esau's tears—what were they for? Were they for his sins? Not at all! What is his sorrow about? It stems from his loss, as he has been deprived of his father’s blessing and preeminence. He committed grievous sins against the Lord God by valuing the sacred honor of primacy so little that he traded it for a mere bowl of stew. This is a profound transgression, for he disregarded the priestly service of the Lord and disrespected God Himself by belittling the sacred office. Moreover, he chose to marry idolatrous and wicked women, causing distress to his parents, a transgression that was counted against him. The Apostle characterizes him as a profane and immoral person (Hebrews 12:16), which invoked God’s severe wrath. Due to his iniquities, he became unworthy of his father’s blessing and preeminence. Did Esau genuinely repent for such grave wrongdoings and weep? The Scriptures do not indicate that he repented of his sinful actions or approached God with genuine remorse and tears. Instead, upon being distanced from what he never truly deserved, he cried, not out of sorrow for his sins, nor for God’s anger, nor for his unworthiness, but over his loss as he lamented being deprived of such immense blessings. The Apostle indicates that he sought repentance “with tears,” but his seeking merely describes a wish for forgiveness; however, of what did he truly repent? Not for his sin of selling the primacy. He fails to acknowledge his wrongdoing and instead blames Jacob, exclaiming, “My primacy is taken!” (Gen. 27:36). Rather than confessing, “I have sinned, for I have sold my primacy,” he asserts, “My primacy is taken.” It is as if Jacob had taken it from him by force, as if he had been robbed unjustly! Esau should have recognized his sin and repented, bringing his guilt before God. He ought to have wept and mourned, not merely for the loss of his blessings, but for having provoked the anger of the Lord his God. Yet, since he did not repent as he should have, his sorrow was unproductive, and his tears went unaccepted. Here we are taught that in our own repentance, we must understand what we ought to grieve over: not solely that we have suffered significant loss due to our sins, but most importantly that we have offended our Creator and distressed His goodness.