Today’s Reading, Genesis 27-29
Focal Scripture: Genesis 28:8-9 “Esau realized that his father Isaac disapproved of the Canaanite women, so Esau went to Ishmael and married, in addition to his other wives, Mahalath daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son. She was the sister of Nebaioth.”
There are some people who will do the opposite of what they are asked because they don’t like being told what to do. There are also people who struggle being told what to do because they have been hurt so bad they lack the faith in that person to give good advice. I know personally I will rebel against a person who is not trustworthy. I will not listen to someone who doesn’t do the right things in their life and yet tells me what to do.
In today’s reading though Esau was not just rebelling he was being intentional with his disobedience. It’s hard not to feel bad for Esau in this situation. When he sold his birthright he was defintely to blame. However, in this situation he was duped by his brother and his mom. They planned it out to make sure he would not get the blessing from his father. Then in frustration he rebells after his father makes a request. He was told not to marry a woman from a certain area. Esau did exactly what he was asked not to do by his father. Esau allowed his emotions and his pain to control him and his decision making.
What is our take away from this event? We need to make sure we are not over emotional when things happen to us in our lives. It doesn’t take long to figure out that people are going to let you down. People are going to hurt you. People are going to intentionally try to take things from you. They will even try to ruin your future.
Our response should be to glorify God. Our response shouldn’t be to make a decision out of spite. We all have been there when we want to get back at someone. The person that is affected the most is us in those situations. We are called to be sober minded. We are called to be wise.
Making bad decisions because you are being rebellious over pain helps nobody. Our goal as believers is to handle situations with grace and understand that our ultimate hope is in the Lord.
Let us be a people of grace and patience.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Genesis 30-31
