Have you ever walked into a situation thinking you’ve nailed it, only to discover that someone else already beat you to it?
Maybe it was a dream job interview. As you sat waiting in the lobby, you overheard the receptionist telling another candidate, “Congratulations! We’ll be in touch with your offer soon.”
Suddenly, what you thought could be yours is gone. The sting of realizing the opportunity has passed is sharp. It can leave you wondering if you’ll ever get another chance.
Perhaps this is somewhat how Esau felt in Genesis 27:30–40.
30 After Isaac finished blessing him, and Jacob had scarcely left his father’s presence, his brother Esau came in from hunting. 31 He too prepared some tasty food and brought it to his father. Then he said to him, “My father, please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.”
Genesis 27:30-40, New International Version
32 His father Isaac asked him, “Who are you?”
“I am your son,” he answered, “your firstborn, Esau.”
33 Isaac trembled violently and said, “Who was it, then, that hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it just before you came and I blessed him—and indeed he will be blessed!”
34 When Esau heard his father’s words, he burst out with a loud and bitter cry and said to his father, “Bless me—me too, my father!”
35 But he said, “Your brother came deceitfully and took your blessing.”
36 Esau said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? This is the second time he has taken advantage of me: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my blessing!” Then he asked, “Haven’t you reserved any blessing for me?”
37 Isaac answered Esau, “I have made him lord over you and have made all his relatives his servants, and I have sustained him with grain and new wine. So what can I possibly do for you, my son?”
38 Esau said to his father, “Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father!” Then Esau wept aloud.
39 His father Isaac answered him, “Your dwelling will be
away from the earth’s richness,
away from the dew of heaven above.
40 You will live by the sword
and you will serve your brother.
But when you grow restless,
you will throw his yoke
from off your neck.”
As we’ve seen in previous weeks, Isaac had just blessed Jacob. This was supposed to be Esau’s blessing, but Jacob tricked both Isaac and Esau. The blessing wasn’t just good wishes. Isaac’s blessing carried significant weight. It would be like receiving an inheritance.
You can feel the heartbreak of Esau’s cry in verse 34: “Bless me—me too, my father!” But Isaac couldn’t take it back. The blessing was given; it was sealed. No matter how Esau begged, pleaded, and wept, the primary blessing was gone. All that was left for Esau was a shadow of what could have been. Worse, Esau would live “away from the earth’s richness” and serve his brother (verses 39–40).
Genesis 27:30-40 reminds us that some opportunities in life do not return. We hear people say, “Don’t worry, you’ll always get another chance.”
However, the truth is that some doors close forever. A word left unsaid to a loved one, an opportunity to forgive, a chance to obey the Lord in a moment…when those opportunities are gone, no amount of tears or regret can change it.
But there’s good news. While we may lose earthly opportunities, the Lord always holds out the offer of His grace. Esau’s blessing was lost, but in Christ, no one who comes to Him will ever be turned away.
The gospel is the blessing that cannot be stolen. Unlike Isaac’s trembling helplessness, our Father’s hands are never tied.
Dear one, value the blessings the Lord has given you now. Don’t despise them or trade them cheaply like Esau once did with his birthright.
Next, seize the moment of obedience. If the Lord is stirring your heart to act, speak, forgive, or trust Him, don’t wait. Do it today.
Lastly, cling to Jesus. While careers, relationships, and dreams may come and go, the blessing of salvation in Him remains secure forever. Live accordingly.
Some blessings will be missed. Those losses can hurt deeply. We’ve all been there. But in Jesus, there is a blessing no one can snatch away. Learn from Esau’s heartbreak: don’t wait until it’s too late. Lean into the Lord’s promises now, while the door of grace is wide open.
Did you know you can help support the mission of Life Meets Theology—and get what you need? Check out our sponsors below–and thank you to them and you!
Life Meets Theology 