Before it’s too late

I think one of the most haunting concepts in the Bible is that there comes a time when it is too late. God gives us chances, but there is such a thing as decisions from which we cannot recover.

Think about these verses about Esau. The author of Hebrews says:

"See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears (Hebrews 12:16-17)."

Esau was an angry man. As far as he was concerned, life had dealt him a bad hand. His mother favored his twin brother and his twin was a con artist. In fact, he no doubt reasoned that Jacob never should have taken advantage of his hunger, and he probably shouldn’t have.

So, faced with tough circumstances, Esau made bad choices. In his pouting anger he gave up his birthright and married someone out of spite.

Later on, Scripture tells us that he tried to reverse his decision about his inheritance but it was too late.

Friends, you cannot afford to be bitter and angry one more day. You may have been treated unfairly. You may have been dealt some tough circumstances. But, do not use that as an excuse to make bad choices now. If you do, it may be too late much sooner than you think. And, then, no amount of tears will undo what you have thrown away.