Every family members has experienced some amount of sibling rivalry, but Esau and Jacob are the poster kids. Inside the womb, these boys couldn't get along. In life, the fighting continued. Genesis 25:31-34 show us how harmful greed and envy is often.
Esau was the older from the two boys. Because the eldest son, tradition held that he would get the family members birthright. He was deemed second to his father, Isaac, and he had special privileges. Upon his father's death, he was also entitled to a double portion from the family estate.
Since Isaac was also an heir to God's promise to Abraham, this also place Esau and his descendants in line to inherit God's promises.
While the temporal positive aspects held some value, God's promise was priceless. This promise was a great honor, and also Jacob could see the value of such an inheritance. He was determined to be in a position to share in that promise.
God will contemplate our methods
While Jacob's yearning and desire might be thought to be admirable, his strategy produced his efforts dishonorable.
Jacob used his brother's desperation as an chance to benefit from him. Being aware of how vulnerable Esau was in his hunger, Jacob coerced his brother into exchanging a priceless treasure for a thing that fulfilled his need to have for instant gratification. How usually do we lose a piece of ourselves as we seek instant gratification in our own lives?
Even if the prize is of priceless worth, we need to take into consideration the questions asked in Matthew 16:26: "And what do you benefit in case you acquire the complete globe but shed your personal soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?" (NLT)
The Bible reminds us to consider our procedures of achieving any goal,letter to fire a attorney, even if it's a purpose that may be admirable. Deuteronomy 25:16 tells us, "For the LORD your God detests any one who does these factors, any person who offers dishonestly." (NIV) God won't approve of our accomplishments if we go about them the wrong way.
Solomon urges us to think of the potential unfavorable consequences of our actions. "The integrity of the sincere keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin." (Proverbs 11:three The Message) We could wind up performing much more harm than superior,best divorce lawyers in fort worth, even when our intentions in the beginning were proper.
We should normally strive to be like Christ. Paul told the Hebrews regarding the life style they hoped to exemplify: to "have a clear conscience and desire to reside honorably in every way." (Hebrews 13:18 NIV)
Go back to the basics
While we might discover ourselves putting on our blinders as we concentrate intently on our destination, we need to continuously remind ourselves of your foundation for operating toward living honorably. James reminds us with the Old Testament's greatest commandment, as identified in Leviticus 19:18. He writes, "If you actually preserve the royal law located in Scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you're carrying out appropriate." (James two:8 NIV)
If Jacob would have loved Esau as he loved himself, he would not have taken benefit of his twin brother. As badly as we may want some factors in life, we need to remind ourselves that God's plans for us are higher than our own comprehension. We should study to be content material using the blessings God has supplied to us, and not aim for stealing the blessings of those around us.
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