“How would you react?”


BIBLE READING: Genesis 26-28             
                Have you ever felt as though you deserved something?  Maybe it was a spot on the team, a promotion or a raise, only to have someone else come and just take it away from you.  It just doesn’t seem fair to have someone come and take what you feel rightfully belongs to you.  It isn’t right to be overlooked for something that you feel that you deserve.  I am sure that is exactly how Esau had felt in Genesis 27.  Being the oldest brother (even if it was by only a few seconds) the birthright and the blessing were rightfully his.  We know that he forfeited his birthright for a free meal from his brother Jacob, but he still was expecting to get the blessing from his father.  Then out of the blue his mother and brother cheat him out of what he feels he deserves.  Now one could argue that since they were twins maybe Jacob deserved the blessing as well, especially since he was holding on the heel of his brother.  Yet, even Isaac and Rebekah knew that Esau was expecting that blessing.  Was it wrong for Rebekah to deceive her husband? Yes, but God’s will, will still be accomplished because Jacob was going to be the one who carried the Promise.  The issue that I feel is overlooked in this story is how Esau handled the situation.  After discovering that the blessing had been taken away from him, he still had a choice as to what he was going to do next.  He could have had the humility and patience of Job and said, “The Lord giveth and the Lord taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1.21).  Although it would have been difficult, he could have gone to congratulate his brother and moved on.  Yet we find him hating his brother Jacob driving a wedge between him and his family. We also see him further distancing himself from his family finding comfort with the Hittite women (which may have been a reason why Rebekah took the birthright away).  Now, we know that later He makes amends with his brother, but for over twenty years they have no communication.  Just think about what he missed out on with his family and how many hard feelings expressed.  This event seemed to be the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back sending Esau into a spiral away from God.  So, the next time you don’t get what you feel you deserved, watch out how you react to the situation.  Things might not have gone your way, but you still have a choice as to how you will react to it.   

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