Tag: Esau

Posted in Devotions, family, Through the Bible Devotions

Reach out sooner than later

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Dave Phillips on Unsplash

A “through the bible devotion” from Genesis 32.

A few months ago, I had to call our HVAC company because the air conditioning wasn’t keeping up with the hot and humid late spring weather. I did what I could. I changed out the filter. I made sure the drain line was clear. I changed the batteries in the thermostat. But I learned a long time ago that you call sooner than later, because you need someone to come out who knows what they’re doing.

By the time Jacob decides it’s time to go home, he’s got a large family and lots of sheep. He’s had eleven sons and a daughter with his two wives and their servants. He’s skillfully bred the sheep so that he ends up with most of Laban’s herd.

The next hurdle is his older brother. What if Esau is still mad after twenty years? Jacob arranges to send generous gifts ahead to smooth over the reunion.

And then Jacob prays, “Save me from the hand of my brother” (Genesis 32:11). This is the first time we read of Jacob praying. He knew God was around. He was aware of God’s covenant promises. But now he needs God’s help. Up until this point, Jacob has been able to work the system and do well. But now he’s afraid. Now his back is against the wall. “Please save me, God.”

I learned a long time ago to ask God for help sooner than later, too. Again, you need someone who knows what they’re doing. We like to think we’ve got life all figured out. But let’s be honest. We don’t.

Thankfully, we know someone who does.

Posted in Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Dressing up for a blessing

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jessica Rockowitz on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 27.

On any given day, one of my granddaughters will be dressed as Cinderella or another Disney princess. Another will have her legs wrapped in a mermaid tail. With an apron around his or her waist, another will be my waiter at a pretend food diner or ice cream shop.

Who doesn’t like to dress up?

I chuckle when the bible tells us of the time Jacob pretended to be his brother Esau. Esau was a hairy guy who smelled like a field. So Jacob puts on his older brother’s clothes and ties goat skins to his hands and neck so that his father, Isaac, whose eyes are failing, will think he is Esau. Amazingly, it works! Isaac blesses Jacob with the words Esau should have received. (Genesis 27:15-29)

How many of us pretend to be someone else to get approval or recognition? Social media makes this very easy to do. If you post pictures of the happy, fun, and adventurous moments of your life, everyone will like and envy your adventurous, fun, and happy life.

How’s that working out for you? Are you feeling blessed? Are you happier? Is your life an amazing adventure? Maybe for a moment or two. Then it’s back to reality. Back to real life.

Why don’t we want to be ourselves? That’s easy. Someone else is happier, having more fun, and is better liked. I want to be like them.

We’ve just learned that artificial sweeteners are actually much worse for us than sugar. The real thing, sugar, in moderation, is OK after all.

What if the real you is better than anything you could pretend to be? After all, no one can be you better than you.

Posted in children, Devotions, Through the Bible Devotions

Let’s make a deal

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Artur Kornakov on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Genesis 25.

When Rebekah gives birth to twins boys, she and Isaac give them names to fit the situation. The oldest has a lot of red hair, so they name him Esau, which means “hairy.” The younger twin is born holding onto his older brother’s heel, so of course they name him Jacob, which either means “follower” or “deceiver,” and sounds a lot like the word for “heel.”

The boys obviously weren’t identical twins. Esau liked to hunt and be out in the field. Jacob could most often be found around their tents, a homebody, I guess.

One day, when Esau comes home exhausted, he asks for some of the red lentil stew that Jacob is cooking. Jacob seizes the opportunity and says, “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll trade you a bowl of stew for your birthright.” I’m not sure if they could legally do that, but Esau couldn’t care less about his status as the primary heir. He’s hungry. He takes an oath and gets the stew. The punchline: “Esau despised his birthright.“ (Genesis 25:34)

“Despised” is a strong word. Esau and Jacob were doing what brothers do. As kids they no doubt argued, wrestled, and tried to get each other in trouble. It’s quite entertaining to watch my grandchildren try to manipulate and take advantage of each other. We don’t teach our kids how to do that. It just comes naturally.

Paul would write about those who forget who they are, who set their minds on earthly things, “whose god is their appetite” (Philippians 3:18-20). We’re guilty of that when we focus on this life and lose sight of eternity. In a sense we despise our inheritance in heaven. And you know what? It just comes naturally.

So God keeps reminding us that we are his children. “See how great a love the Father has given us, that we would be called children of God; and in fact we are!” (1 John 3:1)