Mar 25, 2010

Esau IV

Esau was gifted, strong and blessed, but he could not see his enabling as assets conferred to look after and care for his younger brother. He would not be responsible for Jacob the thief. The self-made and evidently successful man in Esau could not conceive the notion of having to serve another, let alone the one who posed a constant irritant and competitor. He claimed to be the over lord by right of birth. He could not see or accept the charge of servanthood and would not be his brother’s keeper.

Esau had always been his own man. There is no record of him ever seeking the LORD. He bewailed the loss of his blessing but not, the loss of his birthright; the right of priesthood for the family. He considered all his achievements by the strength of his own arm, and had always thought himself to be independent. Old Blue-eyes could probably represent Esau best in his song, “My way”. The song resonates unashamedly, with defiant exultation, the sentiment and warrant of stubborn independence. Many would chorus and echo the song, proudly thumping their noses at all and sundry including the LORD . Esau’s continued success would lead his generations to establish themselves wealthy and wise, mighty and strong beyond dispute. They would nestle themselves like eagles in the cleft of a rock, upon a high ground, reserving for themselves a humanly impregnable fortress. Then, they would think of themselves as vaunted amongst the stars; not dissimilar to Lucifer’s thoughts about himself. It might be prudent not to aspire too far towards stardom, being superstars can be quite hazardous to one’s wellbeing. Then again, we have moved on to seeking to become “idols”.

There is an idiocy that confounds most . Everyone will appreciate the futility and severe consequences, but it is almost impossible to council the man who would be blind. Esau was a believer in the blessing, yet he could not bring himself to reckon that every curse or action he imagined or heaped on Jacob would rebound and come crashing back on himself. He did not see that forgiveness was the better for himself, and that his bitterness would goad him to hate his brother more, spiraling himself ever deeper into the sink-hole. The willful despise and disregard of the LORD’s umbrella is sheer arrogance, if not, madness. No one can expect to pit himself against the Almighty. Yet his sons were to be found , standing in the company of invaders, participating in the sacking of the Jerusalem, the pillage and plunder of the Temple, goading and rejoicing over the fall of Jerusalem and with a vengeance, preventing the escape of fugitives.

Esau, is not for us to despise. He was an example made to teach and advise. We are all Esaus by greater or lesser degree. Be careful with success. The LORD has always hated the proud and haughty; the unthankful who would not honor or regard Him. Those who would claim total independence and self-sufficiency, forgetting or disclaiming that it is the LORD who has provided. Herein is where I surmise, the reason , why the LORD would say that “Esau, He hated”. Esau was proud and haughty, a man who did not seek or honor the LORD. He thought he was self-made. Mankind has only one hero; the Man, Christ Jesus, all the rest, are either bruised or broken reeds. It is a dangerous thing; to think ourselves wealthy and wise, strong or mighty, even if it may look so; less we forget and behave like Esau . It is pitiful that only some of Esau’s widows and some of his children would remain; the LORD did so promise. But it is pitiable that Esau would not pay heed. The LORD will destroy all the wise, the mighty and proud men of Edom. The proud and haughty are an abominable thing unto the LORD.

God bless.



/ckh

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