The Heart God Chooses: Lessons from Jacob and Esau

"As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." - Romans 9:13 (KJV)

At first glance, this scripture may seem perplexing, even troubling. How could a loving God express hatred for one and love for another, especially when the one He loves appears to be less deserving? Yet, as we delve deeper into the story of Jacob and Esau, we uncover profound truths about the nature of God's choice and the heart He seeks in His children.

Consider Esau, the firstborn, strong and skilled, a man of the field. He seemed to embody the qualities one might expect God to favor. When his father desired meat, Esau readily went to hunt, seemingly fulfilling his filial duty. In contrast, Jacob, the younger twin, was known for his cunning and deceit. He manipulated his brother, stole his birthright, and deceived his father. How could God prefer Jacob over Esau?

The answer lies not in their outward actions, but in the condition of their hearts. "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7, KJV)

Esau's apparent righteousness masked a heart that lightly esteemed the things of God. When faced with momentary hunger, he willingly traded his birthright – his spiritual inheritance – for a bowl of pottage. "And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?" (Genesis 25:32, KJV) In this act, Esau revealed a heart more concerned with immediate gratification than eternal blessings.

Jacob, for all his faults, possessed a heart that hungered for God's blessing. His methods were flawed, his character in need of refinement, but his desire was set on the things of God. This hunger culminated in his wrestling match with God, where Jacob declared, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." (Genesis 32:26, KJV)

In this moment, we see the heart that God chooses – not a perfect heart, but a hungry one. A heart willing to struggle, to persevere, to hold onto God even in the midst of pain and uncertainty. Jacob's wrestle with God became the crucible for his transformation. "Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed." (Genesis 32:28, KJV)

God's preference for Jacob over Esau reveals a profound truth: The Lord would rather change the nature of a Jacob than accept the shallow, surface-level service of an Esau. God is not looking for perfection, but for hunger. He seeks hearts that desire Him above all else, hearts willing to be transformed by His touch.

"God’s preference for Jacob over Esau reveals a profound truth: The Lord would rather change the nature of a Jacob than accept the shallow, surface-level service of an Esau."

This truth challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are we content with outward acts of service while our hearts remain distant from God? Or do we, like Jacob, wrestle with God, refusing to let go until we receive His blessing? Are we willing to hold onto God even when it costs us everything else?

Consider David, another imperfect man after God's own heart. In the depths of a cave, hunted and seemingly forgotten, David wrote, "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple." (Psalm 27:4, KJV) In his darkest hour, David's heart still yearned for God above all else.

"God is not looking for perfection, but for hunger. He seeks hearts that desire Him above all else, hearts willing to be transformed by His touch."

Dear reader, where does your heart stand today? Are you satisfied with surface-level spirituality, or do you hunger for more of God? Are you willing to wrestle with Him, to be changed by Him, to choose His blessing over all earthly comforts?

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we come before You, aware of our imperfections yet hungry for Your presence. Like Jacob, we declare that we will not let You go until You bless us. Transform our hearts, Lord. May we value Your kingdom above all earthly possessions or status. Give us the courage to hold onto You, even in our struggles. Change our nature through our encounters with You. We confess our need for Your grace and transforming power. May our hearts be ever set on You, choosing the eternal over the temporal. In our weakness, be our strength. In our hunger, be our satisfaction. Mold us into vessels fit for Your use, that we might truly be called Israel – those who have prevailed with God.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." - Matthew 6:21 (KJV)

Based on Wade Taylor's message "The Song of Solomon — Part 2."