January 21, 2005
-
Esau vs. Jacob. (Gen 25, cont.)
Who was “worse” in this incident: Jacob or Esau? Jacob, who was greedy, coveting and taking what didn’t belong to him? Or Esau, who had no foresight whatsoever and allowed his flesh (his stomach) to rule his decision-making?
Esau was definitely a fool. Jacob didn’t “deceive” him here; I mean, it’s not like he made him sign a contract with fine print. He made a “fair” trade; it was very upfront - stew for birthright. It was Esau who was already deceived, in a sense. He was totally blind to what he was really doing. Was it just being rash? Or maybe he just hadn’t been listening to teaching – ’cause how could he miss the fact that his birthright meant more land, property, children and blessings entitled to him than he could count? What a fool!
But Jacob’s pretty bad too. Why was he grabbing for what didn’t belong to him? Maybe it began with envy. Thievery always comes from greed, and greed comes from envy. And envy is against God’s law!
So one was a fool and one was thief. But both had one thing in common. Both let their flesh rule them. So neither come out as winners.
Oh Lord, how I pray that You would keep me from allowing my flesh to rule me. Keep me from being envious. Keep me from being bitter. Keep me from being a fool.
Comments (5)
Amen to that!
hey, i’m totally reading through the same passages as you are, maryann…it’s kinda weird to read through it at night and the next day see commentary on the passage.
agreed about esau and jacob – esau was a fool and jacob was deceptive, but then again, deceptive because his mother told him to…so a deceptive mama’s boy…
it’s a family thing. abraham started it by being deceptive, isaac did the same thing…you’d think they’d get it, but then again i still don’t get it. good post!
hahahah alice’s comment was AWESOME. A deceptive mama’s boy! wahaha hey, you, alice, and i are all reading genesis.. we should just have a bible study! anyone else reading about joseph now?
dood, I happen to be at that passage too. cool beans!