Charles Spurgeon Commentary Hebrews 12:17

"For ye know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place for a change of mind [in his father,] though he sought is diligently with tears." — Hebrews 12:17 (ASV)

For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

He could not get his father to change his mind concerning Jacob; on the contrary, he said, "I have blessed him; yea, and he shall be blessed." His many tears did not avail; they were not repenting tears, but only selfish ones. He did not repent that he had bartered his birthright for a mess of pottage; he regretted that he had lost the blessing, that was all.

For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

He never repented of his sin, but only of the consequences of it.

He never sought pardon of God, but only sought to inherit the blessing.

And there will be many who have lived for this world and loved it, who, when they wake up in another world, will begin to seek the blessing, but they will be rejected. This may happen even in this world.

If they only seek to die the death of the righteous, and do not seek the pardon of their sin, they shall hear the Lord say to them, "Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded: but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh."