The earliest writing Prophet may have been Obadiah. He told of the overthrow of the descendents of Esau, twin brother of Jacob. Esau cared not for his birthright and sold it to Jacob for a mess of red lentil soup. His descendents became known as Edomites, named for that red soup for which he traded his birthright.

The trait of character that was in Esau came over on his descendents. The writer of Hebrews used them as an example of a people who give up their spiritual heritage to obtain some immediate carnal pleasure. Many today have done the same. Afterward, realizing what they have done—and what they have lost—they seek some way of undoing their carnal act, only, like Esau, to be rejected.

Thus, becoming aware that carnality lurks at the threshold of our soul, we learn to make supplication before it takes over our life and our whole life is spoiled.

Hebrews 12:14-17—Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 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.

(MSG)—Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.

DEAR FATHER, for as long as I can remember, carnal desires have had a stronghold in my life. They have brought me much sorrow. Today, I seek Your grace. Please set a guard within me to hold me back from further degrading thoughts and sin.

“Be carefully on your guard lest there be any one who falls back from the grace of God; lest any root bearing bitter fruit spring up and cause trouble among you, and through it the whole brotherhood be defiled; lest there be a fornicator, or an ungodly person like Esau, who, in return for a single meal, parted with the birthright which belonged to him. For you know that even afterwards, when he wished to secure the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no opportunity for undoing what he had done, though he sought the blessing earnestly with tears.—Hebrews 12:15-17Weymouth