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Esau and Jacob (4)
'Isaac ... loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob' Genesis 25:28
Those eight long 'Esau versus Jacob' chapters in Genesis could have looked so different had that earlier verse read, 'Isaac and Rebekah loved the twins both unconditionally' (Gen. 25:28 The Revised 'If only' Version). Unbeknown to them, Isaac and Rebekah were creating a family environment ripe for rivalry, mistrust, bitterness and betrayal.
As Rebekah sets about dressing Jacob as Esau, we are given a living metaphor for identity crisis. Not only has Jacob been played off against his brother, now he is literally pretending to be him. Perhaps you've known something similar as your own mother has said, 'Why can't you be more like your brother (or sister, or best friend)?' Whenever you're compared to someone else, it's simply not fair. The reason you don't quite have as neat handwriting as the guy next to you or you don't kick a ball as skilfully as the kid from down the road is because you are unique. And that's a good thing.
Nobody on this planet has the same mix of genetic DNA, life experiences, gifts and talents, strengths and weaknesses, personality and character traits, understanding and expressions, as you. You are a one-off priceless masterpiece, carefully knitted together by a creator who doesn't make mistakes.
Comparing you to your neighbour is like comparing a Van Gogh to a Picasso; you're both works of genius. 'It's what God says about you that makes the difference' (2 Cor. 10:18 TM).
written by Bob Gass
'Isaac ... loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob' Genesis 25:28
Those eight long 'Esau versus Jacob' chapters in Genesis could have looked so different had that earlier verse read, 'Isaac and Rebekah loved the twins both unconditionally' (Gen. 25:28 The Revised 'If only' Version). Unbeknown to them, Isaac and Rebekah were creating a family environment ripe for rivalry, mistrust, bitterness and betrayal.
As Rebekah sets about dressing Jacob as Esau, we are given a living metaphor for identity crisis. Not only has Jacob been played off against his brother, now he is literally pretending to be him. Perhaps you've known something similar as your own mother has said, 'Why can't you be more like your brother (or sister, or best friend)?' Whenever you're compared to someone else, it's simply not fair. The reason you don't quite have as neat handwriting as the guy next to you or you don't kick a ball as skilfully as the kid from down the road is because you are unique. And that's a good thing.
Nobody on this planet has the same mix of genetic DNA, life experiences, gifts and talents, strengths and weaknesses, personality and character traits, understanding and expressions, as you. You are a one-off priceless masterpiece, carefully knitted together by a creator who doesn't make mistakes.
Comparing you to your neighbour is like comparing a Van Gogh to a Picasso; you're both works of genius. 'It's what God says about you that makes the difference' (2 Cor. 10:18 TM).
written by Bob Gass
