One of my favorite things that I'm learning in the Bible (and in life) is that everyone has a character flaw. I love this, because I know that I myself am less than perfect, and it makes all these stories much more relatable.
One of Abe's character flaws that hasn't been mentioned up to this point is the fact that he has a few concubines.
concubine: n. a woman who cohabits with a man to whom she isnot legally married, especially one regarded associally or sexually subservient; mistress.
It never registered with me before now that Abraham had this little carnal side of him, as well all do. But the coolest part of all this (and I'm OBSESSED with this idea) is that God used it to make his promises come true.
Let me say that again.
God used Abe's overwhelmingly humanness to fulfill his promise of great nations to him.
"Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people." (Genesis 25:8 NIV)
God loved Abraham so much. In fact, he loves Abraham just as much as he loves every single one of us.
YAY MORE GENEALOGY I'M NOT GOING TO BLOG ABOUT.
I have two baby twin cousins, and every time I see them, I remember what life is about. They flipped my world upside down. So when I read about the two little infants in Rebekah's belly, I can't help but get a little overexcited. It's also an awesome testament to the way that God provides for us. She was childless, and they wanted a kid. So Jacob prayed, and God gave them two.
Jacob and Esau is a really funny story to me. Perhaps the funniest part is how well I relate to both Jacob and to Esau. I'll get into that a bit more in a minute.
Isaac and Rebekah's character flaw in this chapter is the fact that they do indeed fall into the parental trap of playing favorites with their children. This is never a good idea, but I know so many parents who do it. I don't point it out to look down on them by any means, but to remind myself that these people of awesome faith are just like me.
As I said, I have bits of me just like Jacob, and just like Esau. There are times when I, like Esau, love being outside. Most the time, this is in "forest-y" areas, or while on an ATV. I have a huge capacity to see God in the exact shade of green in the leaves of the trees.
But like Jacob, I tend to lean toward being the ideal housewife. I cook and clean and fold laundry and love babies. I sort of fit the mold, which I've spent so much of my life trying not to do, but I can't help it. In embracing that that's just sort of who I am, I get great joy out of those little tasks, and of course those little humans.
I'm also like Esau in the sense that yeah, I'd probably sell my birthright for a bowl of food. If I was hungry enough. I realize that this is a really stupid thing to do. You must understand though, that I love food. I think, if I'm ever accidentally putting something before Jesus in my life, it's probably food.
That's how much I love it. It's seriously awesome.
And this bowl of stew must have been pretty delicious - I do imagine Jacob was somewhat of a well-established chef, since its all he does all day.
I'm like Jacob in the sense that unfortunately, I sometimes have a way of manipulating people to get what I want. I recognize that this is not a good characteristic, so I've been working on doing it less. And I'm not generally very manipulative. However, there are a handful of times in my life that I have behaved in this manner, and I am less than proud of them.
Then I'm like Esau again because I too exaggerate on a day-to-day basis.
“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” (Genesis 25:32 NIV)
HAHA OH ESAU. I don't know. Some people argue that he was being serious, but I find this highly unlikely. How often do we say "I'm starving" when it's only been three hours since our last meal? I do it every single day, probably before each meal. I know, how painfully human of me.
How beautiful it is that God uses our humanness to his advantage.
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