For you know that afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, (Esau) was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.  

(Hebrews 12:17)

To the author of Hebrews, Esau is cautionary example.  This book of the New Testament is a warning to Jews of the early Church to not turn their back on their faith that Jesus is their Messiah, the fulfilment of the Law and the Prophets, their Scripture.

Exhorting them to endure, he says this:

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.  (ibid 12:15-16)

Esau came to regret his rash exchange of birthright and acts as a reminder to Jews contemplating apostasy, remember he could not reverse this decision – in this, he was ‘rejected’.  The word translated is ἀποδοκιμάζω(apodokimazó) and it means to disallow; therefore, it is important to confuse the denial of Esau’s request with ultimate rejection by God.  

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