Genesis 28:6-9

Then went Esau unto Ishmael

Esau, the type of worldliness and hypocrisy

I. HIS CONDUCT WAS MERCENARY.

II. HIS CONDUCT WAS ONE-SIDED.

III. HIS CONDUCT WAS FRAMED BY THE PRINCIPLE OF IMITATION. (T. H.Leale.)

Lessons

1. Hypocrites hearing of blessing upon others, pretend to make to it as well as any.

2. Hypocrites hearing God’s charge to accompany His blessing, would seem to observe it (Genesis 28:6).

3. Hypocrites seeing the obedience of saints, would seem to imitate it (Genesis 28:7).

4. Hypocrites perceiving what is displeasing to God and His servants, would seem to avoid it (Genesis 28:8).

5. Hypocrites in all their pretences for God, take their own ways without His counsel.

6. Hypocrites in all their pretended imitations of the saints do but add sin to sin (Genesis 28:9). (G. Hughes, B. D.)

Mistaken imitation

See what awkward work is made when men go about to please others, and promote their worldly interests, by imitating that in which they have no delight. Ignorance and error mark every step they take, Esau was in no need of a wife. His parents would not be gratified by his connection with the apostate family of Ishmael. In short, he is out in all his calculations; nor can he discover the principles which influence those who fear the Lord. Thus have we often seen men try to imitate religious people for the sake of gaining esteem, or some way promoting their selfish ends; but instead of succeeding they have commonly made bad worse. That which to a right mind is as plain as the most public highway, to a mind perverted shall appear full of difficulties. “The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city” (Ecclesiastes 10:15). (A. Fuller.)