“Abraham lived for 175 years, 8 and he died at a ripe old age, having lived a long and satisfying life.” Genesis 25:7,8 NLT
“As the boys grew up, Esau became a skilful hunter. He was an outdoorsman, but Jacob had a quiet temperament, preferring to stay at home. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry. 30 Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!” (This is how Esau got his other name, Edom, which means “red.”) 31 “All right,” Jacob replied, “but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.” 32 “Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?”” Genesis 25:27-32 NLT
Father God,
Even your people can become dysfunctional families! There was obviously favouritism and jealousy from birth and openly shown. Do we show favouritism and in doing so put someone down? It led to Esau showing disrespect for his family openly. He disrespected and traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a meal. Afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. One wrong action led to another . . .and it was then too late for repentance, even though he begged (Hebrews 12:16-17).
Help us to learn to love as You love. Paul words it so beautifully in Hebrews 13:4-8 “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” We just need to be the best we can be and trust You, God for the rest.
Esau was not dying of starvation. Help us to not just see our own immediate needs out of proportion. Thank You that it is never too late to repent with Jesus and help us to grow like Jim in grace and truth.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Saturday 11th January 2025
Love this thoughtful rendition.
O to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer;
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.
O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee!
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
O to be like Thee! full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wand’ring sinners to find.
Chorus
O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer, others to save.
Chorus
Lyrics: Thomas Obediah Chisholm
Pray for the residents of Los Angeles.
Pray for Ukraine and the Middle East.