January 24, 2005

• Strangely, what stood out to me from Gen 26 was the last 2 verses about how Esau’s marrying of the Hittite women were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.  These verses seem tacked on like an afterthought.  But it was no small thing.  It was important enough an issue that there’s a reference to it again in Gen 28:8-9; in fact, it was a “correction.” 

  
  

  Esau committed a cultural no-no; it was a no-no to the family.  Don’t marry outside of the family!  I am sure he knew it.  He was 40 years old; what son hasn’t heard over and over again the story of how his parents hooked up.  If it’s written down in Genesis, you better believe it was part of their oral tradition.  It would’ve been impossible to miss that Abraham (Esau’s grandfather) very emphatically ordered his servant to get Isaac (Esau’s father) a wife from their own people.  There were reasons for these things!  Duh.  But because Esau didn’t follow suit, his actions were a source of grief to his mom and dad. 

  
  

  Let’s think about this a sec.  I equivalate (not a word) God’s admonishment to not marry outside of the Israelite family with believers not marrying out of God’s family – i.e. not marrying a nonbeliever.  To do so would bring absolute grief to yourself and to everyone, all around.  I believe it’s true and have seen it happen many times and ways.  Unfortunately. 

  
  

  The question is, why did this part stand out to me?  I certainly wasn’t about to run off and date a nonChristian or anything. So what’s the message for me, God?  Something about purity of heart, perhaps?  Maybe about allegiance to God alone.  THAT’s my heart’s desire.  I feel like I stray from Him too frequently.  I really am prone to wander… O Lord, rescue me from my unfaithful heart…

  • 1:23 am
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