John Calvin Commentary Genesis 25:30

"And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red [pottage]. For I am faint. Therefore was his name called Edom." — Genesis 25:30 (ASV)

Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage. Although Esau declares in these words that he by no means desires delicacies but is content with food of any kind (since he contemptuously designates the pottage from its color only, without regard to its taste), we may still lawfully conjecture that the affair was viewed in a serious light by his parents, for his own name had not been given him on account of any ludicrous matter.

In desiring and asking for food, he commits nothing worthy of blame. But when he says, Behold, I am at the point to die, and what profit shall this birthright do to me? he betrays a profane desire entirely addicted to the earth and to the flesh. Indeed, it is not to be doubted that he spoke sincerely when he declared that he was impelled by a sense of the approach of death.

For those who understand him to use the words, Behold I die, as if he merely meant to say that his life would not be long because, by hunting daily among wild beasts, his life was in constant danger, are under a misapprehension. Therefore, in order to escape immediate death, he exchanges his birthright for food. Nevertheless, he sins grievously in doing so, because he regards his birthright as of no value unless it can be made profitable in the present life.

As a result, he barters what is spiritual for an earthly and fading good. On this account, the Apostle calls him a profane person (Hebrews 12:16), as one who settles in the present life and will not aspire higher.

But it would have been true wisdom for him to undergo a thousand deaths rather than to renounce his birthright, which, far from being confined within the narrow limits of one age alone, was capable of transmitting the perpetuity of a heavenly life to his posterity also.

Now, let each of us examine himself carefully. For since our disposition is earthly, if we follow nature as our leader, we will easily renounce the celestial inheritance. Therefore, we should frequently recall the Apostle’s exhortation, Let us not be profane persons as Esau was.