Roses bloom amongst the ashes

In these days of reality TV, cameras capture the events and happenings of individuals and families as they go about their day to day lives. I wonder how many of us would be riveted by the goings on in the Isaac and Rebekah household that is found in the Old Testament. Isaac and Rebekah have two boys and name them Esau and Jacob. Unusually there does not seem to be much of a bond between the twins. Esau became a skilled hunter, a man who loved the outdoor life, but Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home Genesis 25:27 Good News Bible.)

Perhaps the brothers were not helped by their parents who preferred one twin over the other. Isaac favoured Esau and Rebekah Jacob.

One incident illuminates the different agendas Isaac and Rebekah have for their “favourite”. Isaac summons Esau and tells his son “You see that I am old and may die soon. Take your bow and arrows, go out into the country, and kill an animal for me. Cook me some of that tasty food that I like, and bring it to me. After I have eaten it I will give you my final blessing before I die.” (Genesis 27: 2-4 Good News Bible) Rebekah overhears and forms a plan. She persuades Jacob to trick his father into believing that he (Jacob) is Esau. Rebekah puts onto Jacob Esau’s best clothes and covers his arms and neck with the skin of goats. Isaac whose sight was failing is taken in by the deception and blesses Jacob. When Esau returns and asks his father to bless him, Isaac (mortified that he has been deceived) informs Esau “I have already made him (Jacob) master over you, and I have made all his relatives his slaves. I have given him corn and wine. Now there is nothing that I can do for you, my son!” (Genesis 27:37 Good News Bible)

Betrayal, the most destructive of actions, rips apart the family once and for all. Esau is set on spilling the blood of his twin. Rebekah protects her boy by sending Jacob away to stay with her brother. At the same time she puts herself in a vulnerable position at home. It will now be two against one. Rebekah will cease to exist in the eyes of Isaac and Esau.

What is the saying, “You can choose your friends but you cannot choose your relatives.” Lord God, forgive me for my actions and attitudes to my family that have been less than loving!

One opinion about Rebekah’s actions is to say that she is cynical, selfish and manipulative. However there is another viewpoint that I would like to put forward.

If we go back to the time where Isaac and Rebekah enjoyed the happiness and excitement that new love creates, Isaac prays for Rebekah because she had no children. The Lord hears Isaac’s prayer and Rebekah falls pregnant with twins. However Rebekah senses that within her womb there is hostility between the two boys. Unable to comprehend why this should be she asks the Lord for an answer. “The Lord says to her, two nations are within you; you will give birth to two rival peoples. One will be stronger than the other; the older will serve the younger.” (Genesis 25: 23 GNB)

Later when Rebekah overhears her husband declaring he will bless Esau, I wonder if she fears God’s prophecy will not come true and so she decides to give a helping hand.

For myself I wouldn’t dare say that I have the only hotline to God, but I wonder how often I believe (and have believed) God desires the church should move in a certain direction, or consider (and have considered) a course of action should be taken because I think I have God on my side believing I am helping the Eternal’s cause.

Let’s refocus on Esau and Jacob. There seems to be a viewpoint in the world of association football that you should “never say never”. In other words there is a possibility that what would seem to be the unlikeliest of scenarios could happen. It would seem would it not that Esau and Jacob given their personality and history could never enter in a reconciliation; how wrong we would be. Here is how it happened.

Jacob experience of family (this time with his uncle Laban) is once again one of deceit and lies. (You can read his experiences in chapters 29, 30 and 31 of Genesis) Jacob leaves his uncles like a thief in the night. The Lord instructs him to return to his land and his relatives. However Jacob is fearful when he hears that Esau is riding to meet him with four hundred men. He seeks to deflect his brother’s anger by sending a substantial amount of livestock as a gift. When the brothers finally meet Jacob bows to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. Esau runs to Jacob embraces him and kisses him (Is there not an echo here of the father welcoming the prodigal son?)

I wonder if Esau’s action is the first recorded act of grace between one human and another in the bible? Esau has offered undeserved forgiveness and welcomed Jacob as an equal. Both brothers have come a long way since living with their parents; their relationship can move forward positively in the days to come.

The meeting between Esau and Jacob reminds me of an episode between God and Israel in Hosea chapter 11. I’ll let Hosea speak for the Lord.

“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more I called Israel the further they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realise that it was I who healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness. With ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.
Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent? Swords will flash in their cities, will destroy the bars of their gates and put an end to their plans. My people are determined to turn from me. Even if they call to the Most High, he will by no means exalt them.
How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboiim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I turn and devastate Ephraim.” (Hosea 11:1-9 New International Version)

I want to trust in the fact that love is the most powerful force in the Universe. I want to believe that the reconciliation between Esau and Jacob is a beacon of hope for humanity!!!!

SHALOM