Genesis 27:38, Consequences

Esau said to his father, “Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me too, my father!” Then Esau wept aloud.

I could go on and on about the selfishness of Jacob…and the complicity of his mother. No way can we put a happy face on what they did to Esau. But this misses the point.

Poor Esau…some decisions have lasting effects.

We remember when Esau came home tired and wanted Jacob’s dinner. Jacob said “you can have it for the price of your birthright“. Esau’s answer was ill advised…”what good is a birthright? I’m famished…give me your dinner!”

So really, Jacob didn’t steal it…he traded for it. But, of course, his father Isaac wasn’t as capricious as Esau. Actually getting the birthright from his dad was going to take a little deception…and mom’s help.

A couple things come to mind…

1. it’s amazing how ugly we can get when we justify bad behavior by other bad behavior. Jacob had to know he was taking advantage of his hungery brother. He did it anyway. Later, he was able to justify deceiving his dad by saying “well, Esau gave it to me…it’s really mine anyway“.

2. It’s amazing how much we can regret a decision we’ve made when we thought it was such a great decision at the time.

As for me…my lessons are simple.

1. I should never take advantage of somebody in a vulnerable situation because it will always cause harm. I once cheated at cards (I’m embarrassed to say). My opponent had been drinking (so, it served him right?). Before you get all self-righteous on me, I was in a kid the army in Vietnam…not my most sanctified year. I’m still embarrassed 44 years later when I think about it. Really? I did that? How low can a person go? I caused myself more harm to my self-esteem than I could ever have gained by a hand of poker (my mom was right…cards will destroy you!).

2. And, of course, I should never impetuously discard something today that I don’t value. I might value it a great deal tomorrow. How many cars do I now wish I hadn’t sold? To be exact…four.

• A 1960 MGA Roadster
• A 1986 Corvette Convertible
• A 1969 Dodge Charger
• A 1973 MG Midget

We can avoid all this by modeling our behavior after the one who redeemed us. I’m thinking he never cheated at cards…or foolishly sold a car he should have kept.

Live boldly out there today…