Bread of Envy

“When the boys grew up, Esau became a skilled hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents.  Now Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for game; but Rebekah loved Jacob. 

“And when Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished, and Esau said to Jacob, ‘Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished.’  Therefore his name was called Edom (the red).

“But Jacob said, ‘First sell me your birthright.’  And Esau said, ‘Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?’  And Jacob said, ‘First, swear to me’, so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.  Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way.  Thus Esau despised his birthright.” Genesis 25:27-34

This story used to make me cry.  I would wish I could have been there to give each of the boys a mini-reminder of the benefits and blessings they each, uniquely had and to remind them they were brothers and as such would one day need to rely on one another. 

However, as different as Jacob and Esau were from one another, envy set in and plotting began.  The selfish, jealous Jacob – the careless and ungrateful Esau – each with their ‘own version’ of how difficult life was for them.   

Did you ever wonder how much better it would have been if each of the brothers were simply thankful for their special strengths rather than passively fighting against the other.  What might have happened if the parents had been better models, who encouraged the boys rather than fueling the negative aspects. 

You and I must make our decisions moment-by-moment to be grateful for all the blessings we have and focus on those rather than seeing how we compare with someone else.  God has a perfect plan for our lives, and He works it out for our good and His glory…our trust of Him plays a very important part in that.

Take care with love, especially His, from Darlene, who still prays for you each day.