A SAD EXAMPLE OF PRIORITIES

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ISAAC AND ESAU

Read Genesis 25:19–28:9
    Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.    Genesis 25:28 NIV

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     Isaac, as an old man, was tricked by his son Jacob into giving him the firstborn blessing. His older son, Esau threatened to kill Jacob after Isaac died; so Rebekah told Jacob to flee until Esau's temper cooled.

     To Isaac she said, "I'm disgusted with living because of these Hittite women. If Jacob takes a wife from among the women of this land, my life will not be worth living." (Genesis 27:46)  So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him and commanded him: "Do not marry a Canaanite woman. Go at once to Paddan Aram. Take a wife for yourself there, from among the daughters of Laban, your mother's brother." (28:2)

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     It is interesting to note that Isaac had never indicated his disapproval of his oldest son's marriages, or suggested that God might have a godly Hebrew bride for Esau.

     So Esau, who wanted to please his father, married the daughter of Ishmael, in addition to the wives he already had.  How sad that Isaac, whose wife had been chosen by God, did not instruct his son in how to choose a godly wife. Today, this story could read: “Isaac who loved sports, favored his athletic son, but neglected to teach him how to make godly choices.”

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     Lord, help us to faithfully teach our children to seek Your will in making important decisions.

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     Esau then realized how displeasing the Canaanite women were to his father Isaac…so he married Mahalath, daughter of Ishmael…In addition to the wives he already had.   Genesis 28:8-9 NIV